CWA 1180 - HRA Watch

HRA Watch

JOS workers: Take this job back, it ain't worth it
December 2001

Most 1180 members have steadfastly refused—despite management intimidation, threats and false promises—to take the new Associate Job Opportunity Specialist (AJOS) title. Among those who have signed up to be AJOSes, however, a significant number are now asking for their old jobs back. Local 1180 staff reps are getting reports from shop meetings indicating that members who took the new position are dissatisfied, and some are getting out. It's unclear how many in the new AJOS title are asking for their old jobs back, but it's enough people that management has admitted across the table it's a problem for them.

"Originally I took the position because I thought I was going to make more money," explained one such member, who requested anonymity. "But I was still working with no staff after the second month. I was doing PAA I work, PAA II work, JOS work—it was just too much. And they never gave us the training we needed. They had no plan; the trainer sat up there and said, 'what are we going to do today?' Two weeks ago, they gave out the merit raises, and my name was not on there. But even if the money was there, it's not worth it! There's no staff! I want to retire in good health. I was dreaming about the job at night. It was too much."

While 1180 members continue to resist the ill-conceived JOS scheme in their workplaces, the union also continues to pursue legal action as well. Union lawyers were in court again in late October, and the union has filed a second improper practices charge against HRA. But the decisive battle continues to be on the shop floor, because that's where the skill and experience of Local 1180 members is desperately needed, and that's what gives 1180 members power in this situation.

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