Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Since I’ve been sworn in as a member of a Union and the day’s progress and the month’s progress and the year’s progress, I see the ongoing need to belong.

Over the years I have witnessed the membership of Local 490 in job actions and in political environments and it has reminded me of a poem that I received from an "Ol Timer" years ago:

WHICH ARE YOU?

Some members keep their Union strong,
While others join and just belong.
Some dig right in, some serve with pride,
Some go along just for the ride.

Some volunteer to do their share,
While some lay back and just don’t care.
On meeting nights some always show,
While there are those who never go.

Some always pay their dues ahead,
Some get behind for months instead.
Some do their best, some build, some make,
Some never give, but always take.

Some lag behind, some let things go,
Some never help their Union grow.
Some drag, some pull, some don’t, some do.
Consider…which of these are YOU?