Image from left to right: Local 888 Representative Neal O'Brien, Quincy Mayor Tom Koch, Local 888 President Tom McKeever, Quincy Secretary Sandra Demers, and her daughter, a unionist in training!

Local 888 responded quickly to membership in the Quincy Public School secretary unit when they stood for a pay raise based on earnings realized by other city workers. After meeting with the Quincy school secretaries, Local 888 President Tom McKeever promptly set a meeting with Quincy Mayor, Tom Koch.

We passionately pleaded our case for increased compensation presenting a sensible financial argument to Mayor Koch. Our argument moved the mayor to agree to increasing the school secretaries' pay by $2 per hour, earning them almost $2,400 more per year. "There is no duty I would rather perform than representing the members of Local 888. It's important that myself and my administration work hard, stay in the street, and remain completely involved and visible to membership and management. Management needs to know the Union is here and that we are active," said President Tom McKeever.

Mayor Koch's good faith towards the members of Local 888 demonstrates the value in informed, active participation in both union and political matters--the more involved we are, we become stronger as an organization and as a voice for workers and their communities. "I strongly encourage all 888 members statewide to get involved, stay involved and heighten their profile to management," urged McKeever.