Newly appointed and facing low density and a large bargaining unit, FL 2102 Local Lodge President Roosevelt Davis wasted no time feeling daunted. Instead of succumbing to the pressure, he committed himself and his team to tackling the complex and challenging representational issues facing the doctors, nurses, and pharmacists of the Veteran’s Administration Medical Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
Since making that commitment in 2010, the Local has grown tremendously, with membership increasing from 30 members to well over 250 in just five short years. But the Local doesn’t plan to stop there. With a goal of reaching 50 percent density, the Local Executive Board and its team of Stewards take a proactive approach to organizing.
The local has achieved such impressive organizing success by rolling up its sleeves and fighting for a more fair leave policy, ensuring bargaining members are properly classified, and petitioning for the pay and grade bumps employees are due. They have married these representational triumphs with steady communication of their success through New Employee Orientation. Employees new to the unit don’t make it far before hearing about all of the benefits of membership.
President Davis knows that it is not enough to faithfully represent the dedicated members of the Local; it takes communication and a fierce commitment to continually opening more doors to a new, diverse membership.
“Organizing has always been our priority,” said NFFE Local 2102 President Roosevelt Davis. “We are here to enforce our contract and protect the hardworking men and women at our medical center. We know that the more members we have behind us, the louder our voice will resonate. We have to communicate our wins and show the bargaining unit why it is so critical to be a part of the team.”
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