In case you haven't noticed, there is a strike wave afoot in the U.S. Workers are organizing and resisting. Discontent is at an all-time high on the railroad and across other industries. Workers are sick and tired of being treated poorly, sick of being abused. It is time to fight back! So strike a blow in support of the working class; strike a blow for solidarity, unity, democracy, and freedom. Join RWU today!!
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All Railroad Workers Are Eligible for Membership!
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-- Are you a railroad worker, retiree or family member?
-- Do you want to see our various crafts and unions form a united front, putting an end to the rail carriers’ game of divide-and-conquer?
-- Would you like to see genuine union-based safety programs that eliminate hazards and address the real safety issues in the workplace?
-- Do you believe rank & file railroaders should be active and involved in the workings of their union at all levels?
-- Are you frustrated with the ineffectiveness, passivity, weakness, and impotence of your rail craft union?
-- Do you think railroad labor has the potential to be a great force for change and progress for rail workers and the labor movement in general?
If you find yourself answering yes to any or all of these questions, then you need to consider joining Join RWU!
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What you Get When You Join RWU
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When you join Railroad Workers United, you unite with a growing network of railroaders who strive to build solidarity, unity, and democracy among the railroad workers of North America. Specifically, when you fill out that application and pay your membership dues, here’s what you get:
-- Your personalized RWU membership card
-- A copy of the current RWU Bylaws
-- The RWU newsletter The Highball mailed directly to your home each and every issue
-- A 25% discount on most RWU merchandise including hats, T-shirts, books, CDs and more, offered to all members in the RWU Store
-- Free (or discounted) bundles of The Highball to distribute to your co-workers each issue
-- Enrollment in our "members only" email service — you will receive invitations to all Steering Committee meetings and receive the meeting minutes from those meetings
-- The right to attend the RWU Convention held in the spring of even numbered years with full voice and vote. This year, the convention will be in Chicago, June 16th - 19th.
-- Most importantly, you will become part of a network of like-minded railroaders who are working to make a difference. For advice, encouragement, ideas, and support to assist you in your day-to-day struggles on the railroad and in your union, there is no finer network today to be a part of than Railroad Workers United!
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Once You Join, Here are Ten Ways That Many of Our Members Get Involved
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Once you join RWU, we hope you choose to actively take part in the activities of the organization. Here are a few suggestions:
1 - Distribute RWU Materials. RWU maintains an information packed website where you can find RWU materials, available for download. Some of this literature is enclosed in your membership packet. We encourage you as a member to check them out. Please print and make copies of them for distribution in your workplace. These materials currently include our "Statement of Principles," membership application forms, articles explaining the organization, RWU promotional stickers, posters, and a number of bi-fold flyers explaining our campaigns and efforts.
2 - Take Part in RWU Campaigns. Our goal is to mobilize union members across North America to take action on important issues. Currently, RWU is engaged in a number of ongoing campaigns:
3 - Take Part in RWU Committees. RWU has a number of standing committees including: organizing, newsletter, website, social media, whistleblower, safety, etc. We establish special committees as the need arises. Please consider serving on one or more RWU Committees.
4 - Build/Support Your Local RWU Chapter. RWU is in the process of building local Chapters where we have backing. Please lend your support to this vital aspect of building RWU if you live in an area where an RWU Chapter exists. Perhaps you will be able to assist in building a chapter in your terminal. Let us know how we can help.
5 - Make a Financial Donation. RWU operates on the dues and generosity of our members, but keeps these dues low since we are aware that most RWU members already pay handsomely for their craft union representation. If you can afford to, please consider making an additional contribution to the RWU general fund or to specific campaigns as they arise. If you would like a tax-deduction, make your donation to our tax-exempt (501c3) sister organization, the Railroad Workers Education & Legal Defense Foundation (RWF). A few dozen members have opted to become “RWU Sustainers, ” and donate a smaller amount on a monthly basis automatically through PayPal or bank transfer. This has become a huge source of support for the organization’s efforts. Give it some thought.
6 - Attend the Biennial Convention & Consider Serving on the RWU International Steering Committee. At each biennial RWU Convention, we discuss resolutions, debate policy, and consider constitutional changes. We elect a Steering Committee to guide the organization for the next two years. We want as broad and diverse a leadership possible. Consider throwing your hat into the ring! Next Convention is June 16th - 19th, 2022, in Chicago, IL.
7 - Purchase and Display RWU Merchandise. RWU has produced a handsome T-shirt with the RWU logo in four colors on a Black or Gray 100% cotton, union-made-in-the-USA shirt. We also have ball caps in Black, Stone, or Red with the RWU logo embroidered on the front. Cost to members is just $15.00 each. In addition, you can order additional lapel/hat pins, as well as stickers, buttons, books, koozies, knit hats, patches, CDs, and DVDs. Personalized embroidered jackets are available upon request. RWU members get a 25% discount off most all items. When ordering online, make sure to use the Discount Code in order to get your discount. Please purchase these items as they come available and support RWU.
8 - Sign up for the RWU News & Information Service and the RWU Current Members email listserves. If you are not already on these important listserves, please take part. The “RWU News & Information” list is open to all railroad workers (excluding management), while the “RWU Current Members” list is reserved for those who have joined RWU. Both are invaluable sources of information about what the rail industry, rail labor, and RWU are all up to.
9 - Sign-up Your Co-workers. Help build the RWU membership. Download the RWU membership application and distribute to your fellow workers who show an interest in RWU. Explain to them why they should join. If you like, forward us their names and contact info and we will get in touch with them.
10 - Help Distribute the Newsletter. RWU publishes The Highball four times a year. We have built a network of members and supporters across North America to distribute the newsletter each issue. Please assist RWU in this important effort. It is a great way to spread the word of RWU, its goals, campaigns, and other activities. You can print your own copies from the on-line PDF or consider ordering a bundle of 10, 25, or more each issue.
Please feel free to contact RWU anytime, by phone or email. And make a point to check out the website periodically at www.railroadworkersunited.org. At some point, I or another member of the Organizing Committee will give you a call and we can talk further about the rail labor unity movement and how you can take part. We look forward to working together with you to build a strong, unified, and democratic union movement on the rails of North America.
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Railroad Workers United
Solidarity -- Unity -- Democracy
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