Dmitry objects to raising Union dues 

Microphone Number One, Please.

Okay, my name is Dmitry Gorodnichy. I'm a research scientist with NCR.

A very important lens is not being, I think, properly discussed here. We're talking about numbers, but what is most important to the members is perception—the lens. They will not look into these numbers. It doesn’t matter if it’s $2 or $3 more.

What they are talking about is this: Are you happy with how you support us? Just put your house in order first, and then start talking about an increase in dues. Because there are issues inside the house. The first thing before going to the members and asking, “Please give more money,” should be making sure that the perception is such that we’ve done our house cleaning first, and then we go to the members.

There were already two issues discussed just today, or ideas. 

One from [name removed]. Maybe we should start by cutting our budgets for branches and regions and making it public so members see we’re doing something inside. I’m ready to cut my salary or whatever within the unit.

Number Two: We talked about this at the NCR caucus: that resolutions—which are the most important part of the AGM discussion—are not even discussed. Last year, there were many of them that didn’t even reach the floor. Members are outraged—I would put it that way. Instead of fixing our problems and ensuring that this year all resolutions will be discussed, we’re switching focus to talking about increasing the fees.

So again, I’m not against the increase, but the first thing is putting the house in order. The first is making sure we identify our mistakes from the past—because mistakes were made—and then we correct them.

There are a number of ideas to start within the house.

To conclude, we have to put emphasis on how this will be perceived by our membership. The numbers will not be as important to them as how they see it from their side.

So that’s just my comment. Thank you.