March 24th 2014

Martin Quinn - Business Manager Candidate (awaiting nomination)

BA Election Manifesto (IBEW 2330)
A Transparent Hall- Our hall should be open to its members, a place where we can meet, feel comfortable and express ourselves. It should be open to all points of view and focus on providing the services that our membership requires. A Visible List- There has been a lot of talk about our list, access to it and how it should be managed. Years have passed with empty promises, and the issue has been constantly raised. I will manufacture the list from our out of work members and it will be updated daily, it will be the first priority of the hall to post every morning on the wall and eventually on a secure accessible website in real time. The list is definitely worth it and will allow our members to plan their own lives more successfully. With over 2000 members this will take a little time but I will give regular updates to the membership.

A Health Care Policy that is efficient and accessible- Access to our health policy should be easy. Maybe your like me, my spouse handles most of the doctors and medical arrangements. It should be straightforward and quick, not a headache when your family is in need. Our policy I believe needs improvement especially when claiming. I am personally dismayed over the issue that with a claim card rather that a formmailed system our claims amount would be reduced from 100% to 80% because usage will go up. Im not concerned with usage thats what its there for and although I can only shop around when the existing policy is complete or discuss with the providers methods for improvement, I will keep a keen eye on what may be available. I rely on this coverage, its important to me and my family.

 A Residential Rate- Lets plan our future. Ten years from now where will we be, and what markets will we be in? I dont have any plans to solely wait for the next run of heavy industrialized projects. I plan to look at accessing new markets. Some will say itll never work and its pointless, I say lets have the options available and ready for our members. There is much speculation for instance about a looming labour shortage as the baby boomers retire, leaving less workers supporting the young and old in this country. This will add significant pressure to our own pension funds and also pressurise local governments to raise taxes, negotiate less pay and reduce benefits which is against the whole basis of this union. If we expand then we create more work, opportunity and a stronger voice because were embedded deeply in the local economy.

Back To Basics Organizing- My goal is to train every member in this local in methods of organizing. How do we approach the subject, what do we say, how do we inspire. This is the bread and butter of our business, our future and how well move forward. Organizing is not a dirty word to be hidden in the shadows, I believe when we fix the fundamental flaws within our system organizing will come naturally as we regain our belief and confidence.

48 Hour Maximum Response Time- The hall can be a busy place and our brothers and sisters work hard to maintain and administer our local. We need to ensure that our communication is in the 21st century. If you have a question or concern or want to know your position on the list you should be able to get the answer quickly, missed calls can be frustrating. I will ensure you have access by phone, fax, email, and social media creating an interactive seamless relationship between the hall and the field.

 Anonymous BA Questions- Ive sat in meetings on site and at our regular unit meetings, Ive noticed some members are reluctant to ask questions. For those who may not feel comfortable, I will provide a drop box for questions and all will be answered. Meetings on site will begin promptly whether formal or informal maximising your time. The Business Manager is an elected and accountable position to the membership, have your say.

An Interactive Website- Interaction is the key. In the modern business world we have to move as fast as the companies we deal with. A website should detail who we are, what we do and provide any other relevant information required. It should also have a secure members area for our list and messaging. A website will be our public face and a doorway for local companies and prospective members, so lets evolve it and use it.

Active Facebook page- Lets get active and connected with a facebook page thats interactive, where members can post information, pictures of where theyre working, meet other members, voice questions or concerns, and find out whats happening. If every member posted one picture youll see what a big family we really are.

BA Twitter account- You should be involved and know whats going on. A Twitter account for the BA with regular updates on whats happening, what hes doing, where he is, and who hes talking to too is a priority. Post a comment and give him the knowledge that the strength of the membership is behind him.

 Training programs- I would like to invest in a training library, there are many courses which can now be conducted via CD-Rom or online such as troubleshooting, PLCs even practice exams for our apprentices preparing for their Red Seal. I would also like to research training which we could administer ourselves, maybe by sending a member on a Train the trainer course thus allowing us to conduct our own classes.

Build Relationships with Commerce- We do our business on this island, working closely with many companies and organizations. We have a large membership of proud workers. With over 2000 members and their families Im sure I could create a local discount card or network. Developing this would not only benefit our members but identify our members as a large part of the community.

Build relationships with schools- As students receive their electrical training we should actively encourage their membership and inform them of the positive benefits and vision of the IBEW. Even while at junior high we should be entering schools and engaging minds putting on displays, I think electricity is awesome imagine what a 12 year old will think. There will be a labour shortage in Canada in less than 15 years. Its up to us with who, and from where we fill it!

Encourage growth of our business- By participating in our hall and actively engaging the community we will create an image of a proud and strong union that people and other unions can look up to. By organizing companies, even approaching then directly and relating our vision we can grow.

 A Proactive approach- We have to look to the future, always assessing what were doing and how were doing it. If something isnt working its time to change and change is what my campaign is about. I will continue to follow our halls guidelines and by-laws ensuring that the integrity of our union and the international is maintained. As a BA I will strive for and forcefully express our voice, with other unions, government, law makers, the RDC, and employers. I will hold all of them accountable to our negotiated collective agreements as I hope you will hold me to my manifesto.

I ask you to vote for change by selecting Martin Quinn as your candidate for BA this election, and by ensuring your mailed ballot arrives before the close of polls. Counting of ballots takes place June 24th Discovery day dont cut it too close, we cant afford to just keep plodding along with no plan. This June 24th lets rediscover ourselves and our vision.

Published March 24th 2014, I look forward to any comments or questions you may have on this manifesto. Visit www.facebook.com/letschange2330 and write a comment, watch a video or message me.

Sincerely Martin Quinn Clearly a different voice