The AFSCME President

I was the new Landscape Services Manager for Michigan State University.?In this position, it was important not only to meet with staff members within the department, but also with other personnel that had ties with Landscape Services.?The shop steward, Paul H. encouraged me to set up a time to meet with the Union President of the AFSCME Local at Michigan State.?I invited the Union President to come to my office just to have a chance to meet with each other.?We introduced ourselves to each other and spent some time talking about the role of the union within the work place.?I could tell that he wasn’t sure about me, but I was hoping that he was someone that I could work with over any union related issues.?Before he left, I offered to him to feel free to call me or drop by anytime.?My office was open to him.

?Over the next few years, he and I met several times to discuss employee related issues.?I think what worked for both of us was that if I knew of an employee problem, I would contact him right away and he would do the same with me.?Many times, he and I would meet to discuss the issue before it ever to Human Resources.?I honestly believe that several issues were resolved before it went to anyone else.?He knew I felt it was important for employees to have representation and I knew he would always be their representative.?Sometimes, he and I would disagree, but we usually come to some sort of compromise to help the employee.?

?Before leaving Michigan State University, I went by his office to say goodbye.?He surprised me when he said, “Mr. Dobbs, you are the only manager who said that your office was always open to me whenever there was a union issue and you kept your word.?Thank you for working with me.”