Copyright (c) 2009 All rights reserved. http://works.bepress.com/ken_margolies Recent documents in Ken Margolies en-us Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:44:47 PDT 3600 http://works.bepress.com/ken_margolies/18 http://works.bepress.com/ken_margolies/18 Sun, 28 Jun 2009 07:37:14 PDT [Excerpt] Lack of definition can make people confused, agitated and sometimes even hostile. These disastrous consequences are avoidable. Here are some examples that show how lack of definition can get in a steward's way -- and what can be done about it. Ken Margolies http://works.bepress.com/ken_margolies/17 http://works.bepress.com/ken_margolies/17 Sun, 28 Jun 2009 07:37:12 PDT [Excerpt] Stewards who find they are getting nowhere with management on grievances might benefit from standing back a few feet and looking at the way they approach the process of actually presenting the grievance. Because having truth and justice and right and virtue and the facts on your side sometimes may not be enough, if your presentation needs work. Ken Margolies http://works.bepress.com/ken_margolies/16 http://works.bepress.com/ken_margolies/16 Sun, 28 Jun 2009 07:37:10 PDT [Excerpt] Imagine a doctor who tells every patient to take aspirin no matter what the aliment, or a carpenter whose only tool is a hammer. No, this isn't an article about HMO's or an ad for tools. It's about thinking strategically when you file grievances. Rather than "prescribe" a written grievance for every problem your coworkers encounter on the job, or view every workplace issue as a "nail" that needs pounding, you can be more thoughtful and strategic -- and strengthen your union and its ability to fight for the workers -- by asking and answering questions like those below. Ken Margolies http://works.bepress.com/ken_margolies/15 http://works.bepress.com/ken_margolies/15 Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:10:23 PDT [Excerpt] How you say it can matter as much as what you say. Ken Margolies http://works.bepress.com/ken_margolies/13 http://works.bepress.com/ken_margolies/13 Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:10:22 PDT [Excerpt] A team of three faculty members from Cornell interviewed people from agencies or organizations that provide services to or work with farm workers in and near Orange and Sullivan Counties NY. We also met many times with the staff of the Centro Independiente de Trabajadores Agricolas (CITA, Independent Farm Workers Center located in Florida, NY) and groups of farm workers. Most of the farm workers with whom we met work in the onion fields in the black dirt area of Orange County or on a large duck farm in Sullivan County. At the same time, we did a review of literature and basic analysis of census data and other government statistics, as well as consultation with industry expert and researchers. Ken Margolies http://works.bepress.com/ken_margolies/14 http://works.bepress.com/ken_margolies/14 Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:09:40 PDT [Excerpt] Organizing a film festival of pro-labor Hollywood films would be rather difficult. When unions do appear, they are often part of the subplot or the background for the main story line. Ken Margolies http://works.bepress.com/ken_margolies/12 http://works.bepress.com/ken_margolies/12 Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:24:29 PDT [Excerpt] Bargaining a new contract is one of the biggest events in the life of a union, and one that offers stewards many opportunities to build a stronger organization. For many stewards, though, the bargaining process consists of responding the three big questions from the members. Ken Margolies Union Leadership http://works.bepress.com/ken_margolies/11 http://works.bepress.com/ken_margolies/11 Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:24:27 PDT [Excerpt] Keeping your co-workers united and focused on common goals, ready to respond and act as a solid force I confronted by a management threat to wages, benefits or conditions, is a big part of a steward's job - and one of the most difficult. Here are three big causes of disunity, and some tips on how to get members past them. Ken Margolies Group Dynamics and Processes http://works.bepress.com/ken_margolies/10 http://works.bepress.com/ken_margolies/10 Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:24:24 PDT [Excerpt] Membership involvement is important to help fight for good contracts, organize new members, and solve problems on the job. But most workers aren't born union activists, and many don't think their participation makes much difference. To convince them to get involved we have to show them that their participation will be worthwhile - and may even be enjoyable. Ken Margolies Group Dynamics and Processes http://works.bepress.com/ken_margolies/9 http://works.bepress.com/ken_margolies/9 Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:24:22 PDT [Excerpt] Communication is the key to so many things a steward does, and good communication skills are something experienced stewards develop. But even experienced stewards have special challenges when the communication is between people of different cultures. Ken Margolies Diversity and Inclusion