Ahdomai Worker's Union

[Guest Marlon Phoenix]

((In the interest of easy parsing, I'm moving all the information from the Jawdat google doc that we've had for a few months now into its own forum thread, along with this one. TL;DR - I'm transitioning the family away from the lollilegal side of things to the more corrupt bureaucracy-schtick. People see the Jawdats mixing good and bad morals, so rather than be a mob kingpin, Houssam can run a 'business' and his 'family' in a way more suitable for the grey morality that's been the theme for awhile.

tl;dr: We are basically trying to create a group that settles disputes by leaning on the reasonable attitude of both parties with criminal stuff during antag rounds, where it would give good RP.))

((OOC: THIS UNION ACCEPTS AND REPRESENTS ALL SPECIES, DESPITE BEING TAJ-CENTRIC))

Manifest:

Ahdomai Worker's Union Manifesto

"Workers of Ahdomai, Unite! You have nothing to lose but your chains."

 

For most of us on Ahdomai, the war that cast out our aristocracy and corrupt, broken economic system is a memory in the burdens of our elders and the scars that still remain on our surface. While our people are today still healing, there is a reality that the brutal crusade by the major corporations that control Ahdomai to always reach the bottom line is leaving many Tajara no better off than we were under the nobility.

Nanotrasen treats our kin like the nobility treated Khan-khazan; so few of our kin find themselves in any positions higher than the average cook, janitor, or engineer. And those of us that fight our way into better positions still find that we are paid far under that of the wages for human, skrell, or even unathi. In a bitter irony, this inequality extends even to our homeworld, where Nanotrasen controls the means of supply and thus by proxy the business of our major companies.

Humanity brought us many things, but perhaps the most important is the concept of a Worker's Union. The few voices are easily ignored or silenced, but the combined voice of the workers is a force that can bend the seemingly immovable corporate machine.

It is with this spirit that Houssam Jawdat founded the Ahdomai Worker's Union last year. With its headquarters in Na'Tor, it began as nothing more than a small handful of people sending out pamphlets and leaflets encouraging membership. It had a rocky beginning, with Houssam losing his position as Nanotrasen's Head of Personnel for the NSS Aurora research station for "administrative differences" with Central Command. He regained his position after intense negotiation, but the sting of having his job so easily on a wire sticks with him and reminds him of the daily struggle of other workers. This is despite the fact Houssam owns a restaurant chain called Winter's Bounty, of which he actively encourages dialogue and collectivization among his own workers.

The injustice given to him did the opposite of discourage him: by January 2015 of the Standard Year, there are 12,000 registered union workers on Ahdomai itself. Soon there will be a push to have the government recognize Unions and give them legal protections; for now we must rely on our collective voices and power to force change.

Our goals are thus:

1) Increased wages. We give the same work as the other species under Nanotrasen, and demand fair financial compensation. We expect employees to receive fair pay for the work required of them and that workers should be paid for rising costs of living

2) Improved working conditions. Tajaran of all clans work in dangerous occupations where they must go out of their way with personal expenses to secure basic equipment, or 'jerry-rig' things like insulated gloves just to do their job.

3) Service to members. To increase our impact on society and the economy, this Union will offer services beyond job security and safety. These services include provision of education and training to apprise union members of their employment rights and to improve their basic skills. Labor unions also provide legal assistance to members who believe their dismissal was unfair and unjustified. In difficult times, labor unions also may provide financial support, which can be in the form of discounts on mortgages, small loans or low insurance premiums.

4) Conflict resolution. Even when the labor union and management of an organization settle on terms for employment, disputes still can occur. Union members may have disagreements with their supervisors over various issues, or the management team may claim that union members are not performing as agreed. For situations like these, labor unions devise grievance mechanisms to resolve the dispute. In addition to providing members with conflict resolution training, these mechanisms often include arbitration and mediation.

The AWU will bring this spirit and these goals into the workplace of Nanotrasen, which we will begin unionizing. All clans and species that desire fair treatment and a larger share of power in your workplace to help make a difference are welcome to apply and join the AWU. Contact Houssam Jawdat, Nazih Jawdat, or Nur Volkov at their respective emails or AWUnite@NTmail.com

 

* * *

 

((UNION PROPAGANDA TO SPREAD ACROSS THE STATION FOR GLORIOUS COMMUNISM:))

[center]Ahdomai Worker's Union New Member Guide[/center]


[small]Since Nanotrasen has never had a union before, it can be initially difficult to understand how a union fully works. Now that you're a part of the AWU - whether you are a Tajara of Ahdomai or a Human seeking fair treatment and equality for all employees - we have created this pamphlet to help you understand how the AWU works, and your part in it.

[b]Who We Are[/b]
AWU Leadership:
President of the Union: Houssam Jawdat
Executive Vice President: Nazih Jawdat
Executive Vice President: [OOC open]
Executive Vice President: [OOC open]
Treasurer: [OOC open]
Director of Relations: [OOC open]

[b]Who You Are[/b]
You are one of the individuals that make this organization possible. Whether you are tajaran, human, or skrell, you joined this Union because you want what Nanotrasen owes you: Fair treatment, fair pay, and an equal voice in the workplace.

[b]What We Do[/b]
Our awareness pamphlet discusses the outlines of what we do, but for the specific policies on workplace conduct, we [u]provide mediation and negotiation[/u] for the following: Termination of employment, dismissals, pay cuts, workplace safety, [u]dialogue and cooperation[/u] between Command staff and crew. [u]We represent all species and races.[/u]

In short:
Respect on the job? [b]Check.[/b]
Fairness? [b]Check.[/b]
Training opportunities? [b]Check.[/b]
A voice at work? [b]Check.[/b]

If you want more information or wish to join the Union, contact a Union Representative for more details or visit our website at www.AWU.nt.
((http://aurorastation.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=69&t=1373))[/small]

Edited February 11, 2015 by Marlon Phoenix

[Guest Marlon Phoenix]

OOC Rules of the Union

(That will be updated as time goes on and the situation warrants):

 

• Don't be a dick.
• This isn't a tool to undermine Command staff at every opportunity. Related to this, this isn't an excuse to slack off at your job because "I'm in a Union."
  
• If you have a workplace dispute and you're part of this, work through the system. Even if you're demoted before there's mediation or a dialogue, you can always get reinstated if negotiations go in our favour. Peacefully getting your ID changed is a better argument for your competence then calling the Captain a nerfherder and getting arrested.
  
• The leadership of the union will be elected by members once I figure out how to do all that jazz

 

Expected Behaviour from Union Members

• Provide training to assistance and apprentices.
• Help mediate workplace disputes between Command and worker.
  
• Recruit more crew into the Union. Become one. Ascend.
  
• Use collective voice to negotiate and pressure Command, not overthrow. Leverage is more than who has the bigger stunstick.

APPLICATION TO JOIN THE UNION

 

[b]Byond Nick:[/b]

[b]Character name joining the union:[/b]

[b]Why? (Brief is fine; at least a sentence)[/b]

[b]Do you understand the rules and general expected behaviour?

[b]What is the capital of Australia?[/b][/b]

 

Manifest of members:

Representatives

Nazih Jawdat

Sirasairot Uaekis

Desmond Knapp - Spiffyfishface

Regular Members

Ana Issek - Sue

Saisairot Uaekis - Jackboot

Buthaynah Jawdat - Jackboot

Samiya Jawdat - Aqy

Aeijia Jawdat - [open]

Hakra Drat - Hartbury

Adeelah Kamir - Xanderdox

Lacques Jacan - Eman7002

Igam Yute - Moom241

S.K.I.T.A.R.R.I - Canon35

Bryce Faust - Hackie Mhan

Edited February 12, 2015 by Marlon Phoenix

[Guest]

We actually need a worker's union for humans as well, considering that ingame, it's usually the humans that get the brunt of the demotions and shit from security. It's mostly because alien players are better RP-ers, because of the whitelist nature.

Maybe non-humans need to take a bit more crap before a workers union is justified. I would actually be interested in a few tips on how to be passivelly or unintentionally racist as a head of staff, to help further this goal.

[Guest]

Im going to be moving Houssam away from untouchable crime boss to the head of a legion of twelve thousand catbeasts

 

 

I'd like a Staff statement on this, are we all allowed to make ridiculously influential and powerful characters, or is this going to be an honor reserved for a few players to keep the collective "Suspension of disbelief" from crumbling?

[Valkrae]

I'm kind of against the twelve thousand catbeasts. Houssam would probably have little time for work on the Aurora, as well as that.

[Guest Marlon Phoenix]

((This is an IC thread, guys. Please follow ICtiquette and use dem parenthesis))

 

"When workers decide to come together to improve their jobs, they work with a union. Once a majority of workers shows they want a union, sometimes employers honor the workers’ choice"

1) You can be in a union and still work in the company. That's kind of... How they work? 12,000 catbeasts forming unions (I will probably edit it to make it more clear, but it's unions, not the AWU by itself on Ahdomai) in what is basically Stalin's Russia: With Cats isn't far fetched - Sue gave it her approval, because it works IC. I used this as a backdrop to move it onto NT so it can have more sway than "Lol you're the only ones in it, I'm going to ignore it because ur dumb!!!!!" The Ahdomai side of things is just for fluff, and possible IC stuff in the future.

2) This isn't going to give lulpower or gank. How would it even make him an untouchable? If no one is dumb about this, it's another avenue for RP that involves the crew with Command staff.

3) This is an RP server that has openly had staff advertise that we're moving away from strict realism enforcement. I've never seen a union happen outside RP-rev where it gets violent 10 minutes in, or gets curbstomped by security. I thought it would be a fun thing to do, with the conflict that comes with trying to unionize what is lore wise pretty anti-union. In short: We have little idea how this will actually go, but rather than do what we've been doing for so long now (and what you yourself, Starfish, have complained about) and shut down something because it's different and suspends disbelief we actually see where this goes. If it turns into a shitfest, it gets shut down by me personally.

 

We actually need a worker's union for humans as well, considering that ingame, it's usually the humans that get the brunt of the demotions and shit from security. It's mostly because alien players are better RP-ers, because of the whitelist nature.

Maybe non-humans need to take a bit more crap before a workers union is justified. I would actually be interested in a few tips on how to be passivelly or unintentionally racist as a head of staff, to help further this goal.

 

Please no. This isn't existing to make it harder to terminate griefers or chucklefucks, and we already have enough issues with Command staff. This is for dialogue between workers and Command while giving some extra fluff for labour based backstory.

Edited February 10, 2015 by Marlon Phoenix

[Aqy]

((I thought it was pretty obvious that Houssam being in charge of twelve thousand cat-beasts was a joke. Aside from that a union isn't ran by a "dictator" or even a "president" it's run by a group. Unions are literally groups of workers who are fighting for the rights of other workers. The whole point of a union is for it to be a democratic-type protection for workers. The fact that Houssam and the Jawdats funded and founded a Union doesn't mean that they dictate the union. They could have major influence, and be apart of that board that runs it, but they won't be able to say "Today. Men. We go to war." And every friggen Tajaran there just straight up murders all humans because that's what Houssam said to do. Not only that, but most the members wouldn't give a flipping bird about what Houssam says to do, they'd be in it for the benefits, and protection, the like. In fact, they'd probably be a very good buffer for Houssam having any serious power, considering they'd be the first to turn on anything that they don't like, and that would potentially get in the way of their benefits. Not only that, it's a worker's union. A worker's union protects the rights of -workers-, and deals with -workers-, and when necessary places of employments. That by no means is saying that Houssam is going to run for space overlord and conquer the universe.))

[Skull132]

((OOC scheisse down below))

 

I'd like a Staff statement on this, are we all allowed to make ridiculously influential and powerful characters, or is this going to be an honor reserved for a few players to keep the collective "Suspension of disbelief" from crumbling?

 

The only power he holds is how much the playerbase wants to give him. If you want to bunk with him, gooo right ahead. If you want to work against him and hate him, go right ahead. If you want to not give a shit, and just cover your own ass with your own words (my personal choice in this), then go right ahead.

And as a Staff statement: all of these organization play to the "gentlemen's game" set of rules, as they always have. This also includes that tangible results must be the outcome of actions conducted through the game itself, so no godmodding. Situations like these are complex to moderate, however, we shall see that whatever goes on here is acceptable and conducted in a fair fashion. What is considered acceptable and fair? The line gets drawn at people being actively removed from the round, effectively the metagrudging rule being violated.

[Eman7002]

Byond Nick: Eman7002

Character name joining the union: Lacques Jacan

Why? (Brief is fine; at least a sentence) An existing lack of workplace organization in NanoTransen, this serving as an uncommon opportunity to engage in struggle for real, short-term goals.

Do you understand the rules and general expected behaviour? Yes

What is the capital of Australia? Canberra

[canon35]

Byond Nick: Canon35

Character name joining the union: S.K.I.T.A.R.R.I

Why? (Brief is fine; at least a sentence) Because he's an IPC who hates the fact that IPCs cannot hold many command positions, and believes they can be better leaders.

Do you understand the rules and general expected behaviour? Yas.

What is the capital of Australia? FuckifIknow.

[Hackie]

Byond Nick: Hackie Mhan

Character name joining the union: Bryce Faust

Why? (Brief is fine; at least a sentence) Firstly, Bryce loves money; unions get him more money with better wages. He doesn't like the established leadership's attitude of, 'We care about the price tag, not the morals.'. In addition, he's also a member of the Jawdat family.

Do you understand the rules and general expected behavior? Yes.

What is the capital of Australia? Canberra

[the_furry]

Byond Nick:XXTheFurryXx

Character name joining the union:

Travis Davis

Why? (Brief is fine; at least a sentence)

Despite his inappropriate behavior (due to his inability to function in social interactions) Travis whole heartedly agrees with the tenets in the union and would want to help out with it in any way he is capable of.

Do you understand the rules and general expected behavior?

Yes

What is the capital of Australia?

I’m an American, what part of Europe is Australia in?

[NebulaFlare]

"...Athena?"

"Yes Mother?"

"...Where is Australia?"

"One moment mother. Searching the internet...ah. Australia is a continent in the human homeworld."

"Aaah. What's the capital?"

"Canberra."

"Mm. Thanks."

"Mother? Why did she ask?"

"She's filling out a form to join a worker's union."

"Why do they want to know the capital of Australia?"

"...No idea."

------------------------------

Byond Nick: NebulaFlare

Character name joining the union: Karima Mo'Taki

Why? (Brief is fine; at least a sentence) As a Tajaran of research, she knows too well all the elitism that runs in her workplace. She wants to take a part of the movement to grant Tajaran equality. And to that extent, all xenos.

Do you understand the rules and general expected behaviour? Indeed I do.

What is the capital of Australia? Canberra.

[George VI]

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