As per the GCA By-Laws and in line with your wage
increase, there will be 3% increase to the dues
beginning January 1, 2010 (next pay period).
Last year saw a tremendous decrease in our
membership. We averaged about 500 members in 2008
while the average in 2009 was only 350; a decrease
of 150 members. There was also a dramatic increase
in professional fees and other necessary expenses as
we went to Arbitration four times. The money
(approximately $40,000.00) was well spent as we were
victorious three times which included the
reinstatement of two dismissed members.
The last three years have seen unprecedented growth
in real wages over inflation. The last time anything
close to when wages exceeded inflation occurred in
the few years following Justice Emmett Hall’s
national arbitration in 1973. Since that time, we
have only had wage increases which have been, for
the most part, equal to inflation.
As you know, we will begin bargaining in about 20
months. The Executive Board at, our last meeting,
came to the conclusion and voted by unanimous
decision to add a supplementary increase of $10.00
to the dues. This supplementary increase of $10.00
will be used mostly to establish a national
negotiation fund. This fund will be used largely to
fund the costs of such professionals as lawyers,
benefits experts, actuarial services and the Vice
Chairs’ expenses. This extra money will give us the
necessary tools to negotiate successfully during
what I anticipate will be a tough bargaining
environment.
This supplementary increase will be in effect until
the next GCA convention or about 20 months. This
will equal an increase of $200.00 over the next
twenty months. After the corresponding tax
deduction, the net effect will be reduced to about
$120.00 or about 20 cents a day which is less than
one cigarette or a stick of gum. There should be
very short term pain for what I see as long term
gain.
If there are any questions, I will be attending
Division meetings beginning this spring. I will be
delighted to answer any questions our Sisters and
Brothers may have at that time.
Finally, below my signature is a chart which shows
the 2010 dues deductions for each Division.
Mar 5, 2010
