Inspiration
State of our local union 2000

(The following was sent to us from our brothers and sisters at Local 2243 in Oriskany, N.Y. We salute them and their President Myron "Kuch" Kuchera for the inspiration his words provide to every member in Region 9.)

Brothers and sisters,

Though much has been accomplished in the last few years, much remains to be done as the new millennium brings us fresh challenges. Many of the challenges cannot now be clearly seen, but I have confidence that our Local 2243 leadership and its members will rise to the occasion as we have in the past.

Under trying times we have a good accounting of ourselves. During the last few years the successes we have all benefited from have not been the work of one person, one office, or one committee. We were able to make progress because we all worked and stuck together. I ask that you give the same amount of support to each other as we move into the new millennium.

Our union gives us direction and protection. Our leaders provide us with the vision and commitment to do what needs to be done. Our members provide the essential ingredient to make our local union grow and flourish.

We are fortunate to have the right leaders at the right time and place, but the most important reason for my confidence in our future is the membership of this great local. The challenges we may face should be taken as opportunities to exercise our skills and knowledge, to carry out our responsibilities, and to look out for the best interests of all the membership.

If we have the foresight and wisdom to look beyond today, we can and will be successful no matter what we do. Job and income security should be paramount for each and every member.

As the new millennium approaches, we must all work hard to encourage the few doubting members among us to embrace, appreciate, and promote union membership. We should encourage our salaried and non-union co-workers to organize and reap the benefits of union membership.

The systematic assault on one of the most basic rights of workers in a free and democratic society must be stopped. Employers routinely violate the law by threatening to close and move plants, harassing, intimidating, and terminating workers for pro-union activity.

Our local will take a leading role in assisting others to organize to attain dignity and economic and social justice.

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