It is extremely challenging to beneficially channel social media without allocating significant resources
Social media is an extremely powerful communication tool. As such the Negotiating Committee has attempted to acknowledge the importance of social media by interacting on various outlets in order to reach the greatest number of our members. However, it is also extremely challenging for an institution such as AFA Alaska to beneficially channel social media without allocating significant resources. Some may have agreed or disagreed with our approach at times but our intent has always been to use social media simply as a supplementary source of information. Any controversies that have resulted from our presence on social media have been unintentional.
Recent changes to secret Facebook groups
Earlier today, administrators of one of the private secret Facebook groups called “Voice the Vote” announced a name change to “Voice the Yes Vote.” Obviously the name change is indicative of taking a particular stance on TA2, a position that AFA cannot support. Our understanding is that the name may have been changed back to “Voice the Vote” and with new administrators.
Negotiating Committee will no longer be redirecting from private social media outlets
Rather than taking sides or continuing to navigate the rapidly shifting sands of social media, the Negotiating Committee will no longer be redirecting to the official channels from “Voice the Yes Vote,” “TA Talk,” “Almost Open,” or any other social media outlet not officially sanctioned by AFA. We are taking this unilateral action on all private social media outlets out of fairness to all their members and administrators. We sincerely regret if this will cause misunderstandings or hurt feelings.
Going forward the Negotiating Committee will be posting exclusively on the AFA outlets
Going forward, the Negotiating Committee will be posting exclusively on the Negotiations blog or on the AFA Alaska Facebook page or the individual council Facebook pages. You can also contact the Negotiating Committee via email at negotiations@afaalaska.org.
Roadshows
The Negotiating Committee will continue to focus on our preparations for the upcoming Roadshows starting December 1st (see http://afaalaska.org/negotiations/ta for the full Roadshow schedule). We hope to see you soon!
In solidarity,
Your MEC—Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Becky Strachan, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Sandra Morrow and Stephen Couckuyt; and
Your Negotiating Committee—MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Kristy Stratton, Lisa Pinkston, Jake Jones, Christina Frees and AFA Senior Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo
