Candidate Post: What's Coming Next? - Stephen Nakrosis

To the members of IAPE 1096:

Our union election comes at a time of tremendous and perhaps permanent transition in our industry and in our workplaces. We all heard a few days ago from the management of Dow Jones that our company’s workers in the U.S. and Canada won’t be returning to our offices until sometime next year. When we do return, the offices will be changed spaces, with limited capacity and new safety procedures in place.

Even after the offices open, many employees will still continue to work remotely.

Even now, our union is meeting with company representatives to discuss the problems and realities of work from home. 

It’s doubtful our working lives will ever return to the way they were pre-pandemic. As offices close and employees continue their remote work lives, the union must deal with the new challenges these changes will bring. These include the possibility of furloughs; the emergence of a new work dynamic which sees employees dispersed; and a new work environment that must be designed to ensure the safety and health of all.

Our leadership will need to reach out to members and meet them wherever they are. IAPE’s next president will have to put forth a great effort to ensure that every member’s voice is heard and that each concern is addressed.

Our next president, whether it be myself or my opponent, will have a short learning curve when dealing with these new realities. For this reason, I believe my 25 years at Dow Jones and my 12-plus years serving the union as a union steward and officer will be definite strengths.

I have seen Dow Jones change greatly over the past 25 years. I was able to help our members deal with changes in the past. I’m prepared to continue serving IAPE as we enter this strange new world together.

Once again, I ask for you to please vote for me as the next president of IAPE.

Feel free to get in touch with comments or questions at votesteveiape@gmail.com