[AccessD] OT - My union grievance

I do understand exactly what your speaking about as "the other side of
the fence." And, to be honest, this is why it has been "let go" for so
long. But, now there is an issue as to what jobs may or may not be cut.
And, in a union environment, we are suppose to be on the same team...the
whole "strength in numbers" routine. My basic argument is that, if they
have the time to do my job, then I should not be worried about holding
on to mine. 

Also, your understanding about being maintained as long as you are
there does not apply here. They do call me to fix their problems. And,
being a civil service job (and union), knowing their programs doesn't
mean anything when it comes to layoffs...it is pure senority (almost
pure anyhow).

I do get bogged down and sometimes it takes me a while to get to a
problem, but this is compounded by the extra work I pick up working on
these types of problems.

Thanks for your input. I do understand that in your environment it is
probably best your way...I'd probably do the same.

John

>>> Mark.Mitsules at ngc.com 07/07/03 01:23PM >>>
John,

The line that you asked to be defined resides in the opinion of each
person.
As far as MS Office products go...to a person who has never automated
a
single task, a "macro" IS programming.  To others, a macro is not
programming, but a VBA module is.  Another group would argue that
anything
within the construct of another program is not REAL programming...they
would
argue for a stand alone VB, C, C++, etc. application.  Still others
would
say if it isn't assembler...go away.  Programming is what it is...magic
to
the uninitiated.

My additional comments below are not directly related to union policies
or
concerns since they do not apply to my situation.

Currently, I am on the other side of your argument.  I spend my own
time and
money increasing my knowledge base so that I may help my department
become
more efficient.  This efficiency benefits their data storage and
retrieval,
and allows them to answer questions in a second that previously would
have
taken a person from your side of the fence a month to review (believe
me,
that is a overly conservative estimate in my experience) and then
dismiss
because there was insufficient cost justification to develop a
"custom"
application and then support it.  Efficiency in my section of my
department
has risen significantly since I now handle programming in house.  We
no
longer have to ask for permission to get an answer to a question that
could
already have been answered.  Although I can appreciate your position,
you
now have the other side of the story for comparison.

Regarding support of my "applications"... I develop them as needed and
support will continue as long as I am employed.  No expectations are
otherwise assumed.


Mark


-----Original Message-----
From: John Clark [mailto:John.Clark at niagaracounty.com] 
Sent: Monday, July 07, 2003 12:34 PM
To: accessd at databaseadvisors.com 
Subject: [AccessD] OT - My union grievance


First I'd like to let you know where I am coming from. I have to be a
union
member...I work in a "closed" shop...but I am not a huge supporter of
the
union...they have their place, but they go overboard and protect people
whom
they shouldn't. I usually prefer to settle disputes by going to the
boss and
voicing my opinion. But around Xmas of this past year, there were many
layoffs, and many more threatened. And, the majority of us believe this
will
be an annual event now. There are people out there doing our jobs that
shouldn't be (i.e. nurses, social workers, etc.). 

I recently sent a letter to our union, which basically asked them to
send
out a blanket statement to it's membership (i.e. my brothers and
sisters in
unionism), that notified them that they should not be performing duties
of
other coworkers. Three others, in my department...the MIS dept...liked
my
letter and asked if they could sign on to it. I adjusted the original
letter
to reflect their problems as well...they are more tech related...and
sent it
out. Apparently, it ruffled some feathers, and soon after, the union
filed a
grievance on our behalf...turns out they can do this w/out us even
wanting
them to do it.

The reason that I am writing to the list, is that I want ammo for my
hearing
tomorrow. It is just an initial hearing, but I would like to make some
solid
impressions. To do this I want facts, or at least quality in my
statements.
As you all know, Access is unique in that it can be used by a novice
office
worker for simple desktop dbs, as well as hard core programmers pumping
out
intense programs, and everything in between. But where do you draw the
line?
I have said that if someone creates something for their own use, that
is
saved to their HDD (i.e. a tool for them to do their job), then I don't
have
a problem with it. However, if it becomes, or is to become, a tool that
they
whole department will become dependant on, and/or it is going to reside
on
the network, then it should be created and managed by the MIS
department.

I have gotten calls in the past, saying that, "our program is down and
our
department cannot function w/out it. We need this fixed ASAP." My
response
has been, "What program?" Departments have become dependant on a
program
that we were totally unaware of its existence. Because these programs
are
written by non-programmers, they are often difficult, if at all
possible, to
repair. And, in some cases, the person who did write it, no longer
works for
that department and therefore cannot help them.

The politicians...for those of you unaware, I work for a county
govt...have
sent out requests for each employee to write a small paragraph,
justifying
our positions...I've had to do this two or three times. I wouldn't have
so
much of a problem doing this, if I was assured that the people doing my
job
were exposed here. It seems to me that if they have the time to do my
job,
there job must not be keeping them busy enough, and therefore maybe
that is
where the cuts can be made.

I would appreciate an advice, input, etc. that anyone could give me
here.

Take care!

John W Clark
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