Hello again. My name is Rich Robinson and I'm president of the Dayton Metro Library Staff Association. It is in that role that I speak to you today.
We have seen many examples of what the Library and the Association can accomplish when working together. The improved, but less expensive insurance plan you approved today is one example.
But we have other areas where the team work required to build trust between the organizations is lacking. I'm currently preparing a grievance over the Library's refusal to adhere to Article 42K of the Bargaining Agreement, which says
“The Library will allow a payroll deduction for a single supplemental insurance plan designated by the union.”
In October, I sent a letter to the Library identifying our single supplemental plan as one that was proposed by AFLAC. The Library has taken no action to comply with the contract, and has not even replied to the letter. In the interim, the Library did set up a payroll deduction for levy campaign contributions. But nothing on the contractual obligation for our designated supplemental insurance plan.
So instead of working on levy issues or other important Association business, I'm preparing a grievance.
It presents me with an interesting dichotomy. At the same time I'm working on this contractual compliance issue, I'm also taking aggressive action to put in place a procedural framework that will allow us to expend funds on a project where we must work together: The upcoming levy.
On Monday, Mr. Kambitsch was generous with his time and attended a meeting of our Executive Council to discuss Association involvement in the levy campaign. We have already committed to Mr. Kambitsch that we will work on the aforementioned process which will make it possible for us to give money to the levy campaign. Once that's in place, we are prepared to make financial commitments to support the levy.
I know that working with Mr. Kambitsch on the levy will give us an opportunity to build on positive elements of our relationship. With his enthusiasm and leadership, failure hardly seems possible.
It's a difficult and taxing balance trying to work together on one hand while preparing action on the other. When we work together, we are often very successful. When we work in opposition to each other, we're squandering resources that could better be leveraged to achieve mutual benefit. I hope to see more of the cooperative side as we move forward.
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