Inside the Hurricane" places the reader with negotiators at the Bargaining table, and carries him/her behind the scene listening to private conversations and strategy. The reader will share in the intense excitement of negotiations involving five separate bargaining tables with five Companies which created extreme conflict and a very difficult climate for reaching agreement. It describes outside forces and the impact they have on negotiations. Struggles are revealed between competing leaders who have different constituencies, objectives and goals. How the member is manipulated or manipulates the process is illustrated in detail. The winners, rewards and failures, relationships, power struggles, death, and heartache is shared. In spite of all the obstacles, including a 30-day strike, a contract was negotiated and a relationship built with the Company, It is based on minutes of negotiations, tape recordings, meetings, news articles and extemporaneous notes taken at the time. The book is in three sections: 1. The first is a blow-by-blow description of negotiations as described above and shares the internal conflicts, the use of media and public politics and how all the issues are resolved with the gift of an unbelievable issue that settled the strike. 2. The story then transitions into a union political struggle, demotion and forced transfer to another state. The turmoil and isolation resulting in these activities, then running for Vice President of the Union. The aftermath in negotiations with then South Central Bell and later with BellSouth and The Communications Workers of America. (CWA) 3. A number of stand alone arbitration cases involving immorality and sex and how personal morality effects decisions that have unpredicted results. We dedicate "Inside the Hurricane" to the millions of workers who struggle each day just to feed cloth and shelter their families and who so often feel that they are not informed . Also to the Officers and stewards who serve. It is often wished by those who lead, "If you could only be there with me." The Eye of the Hurricane will place you there and open the window of understanding the complexities in representing your interest. It will help you learn from the mistakes, the joy and the human interaction that is encountered with peers, leadership and the workforce we all serve. It is intense. Learn as you enjoy.
