Seems like there is always some accountability to every task or job that anyone does in work and life. Very rarely is there ever a time that one can do as they please and not have to worry about being held accountable. The many years, I have worked for Kroger , I have seen everyone help accountable for most every thing they have done. That includes me and being a department head, I am even held accountable for things beyond my control on days off. Been in the union all this time and best advice I ever got from a union rep was this.

we are often. very busy and have many things on our plate. But if you, the members, do not stay on us and hold our feet to the fire, you may not get any timely service and sometimes forgotten about

I have found that true up until just recently. Now there has not been any issue with my local and we have some very good stewards and people to follow up and get information out. But then there seems to be a bad reputation among the members of our sister local. Now there are some very good reps and members, and then some that are not very attentive to following up or contacting those that need the help. That is one thing that will ultimately harm recruitment for the local and others. How , in good faith can one preach the goodness and value of the union when many members are ready to leave because their reps will not get back to them or blows them off as not worth the time of day? Have run into that a few times. New employees , rather our local or the other, have refused to want to join because they have heard the other members complain about the lack of accountability or response from their local when they have a problem.

I have , on many accounts , advised others to contact ufcw.org or Washington when they can not get a response back from their local. It generally has worked and worked well for many. But then there are times where the local will contact their sister local and ask to shut me up or others, on the grounds that we have no idea of what is going on and crossing into the affairs of another local. That can be all well and good for some but then there are those that just can not let it alone. That is where I must ask this question.

if we employees are held accountable for our actions, then why should we not hold our local union accountable for their actions? And would that also include helping others hold their local accountable or do you turn a blind eye to it and forget all about it?

I am now going thru thsat and have been asked these few questions as to why.

Q Who is this ----- lady or girl ?

A a co-worker and a sister member in another local.

Q Why are you getting involved in this?

A She has no internet available and can not get a rep to reply.

Q Are you ****ing this girl? What are you getting from her?

A No and just the satisfaction of helping a fellow member out?

Q Do you know that you are hurting your local and the working relationship between the two?

A Not really but if someone needs the help , should I just ignore it and help support the poor will of the fellow brothers and sisters in our sister local?

Q Do you know that the board may take action on you , if you continue?

A Do not care. Have to be me. Besides it would only prove what the others have said in that they are only after the money and not being accountable for representing the members.

For this I will welcome it. Set me free to speak my mind and what I believe in. After all, this is a right to work state and they have to represent you rather you are in the union, not in it or kicked out of it.

Just have to wonder how many others, out there, have run into problems where you MUST hold your local union accountable to do what is right? And how many of you have either been told to stop or ignore the problems if it is in a sister local , even though they may be fellow employee`s. What do you do?