Conference 7.286::dcu

    I deleted the base note.
    
    			Arnie

    The base note discussed problems accessing petition files.

    I'd like to bring up the question of access in setting up a stand to
    gather signatures. I was denied permission to gather signatures outside
    of the PKO3 cafeteria because the Bedford customer training center has
    moved there. I can see the reasoning in not wanting to show customers
    dissention about the credit union.

    However, this presents a smooth monolithic IBM-mainframe-like facade
    instead of showing a distributed-system-like example of democracy
    in action.

    
    RE: . 4
    
    I would have to agree with the DEC here.  The customers impression
    must be the primary consideration.  We will do fine without this one
    table.  There are many other sites where we do not risk contact with
    our customers and potential negative impressions by our customers.
    

It beats me why collecting signatures for candidates for a credit union
Board of Directors is seen as automatically injurious to Digital's
reputation.  Doesn't that make a joke out of the whole idea that Digital
and the DCU are independent companies?

Certainly, we all want to be very careful about Digital's reputation with
customers.  But those issues can surely be worked.  Also, if I understand
the DEC P&P properly, it doesn't provide any grounds for denying permission
for solicitation (in non-work areas and not during business hours) on the
grounds that customers might see it.  

For the future, I suggest that those who wish to gather signatures in a
place where customers are present ask the site rep or personnel rep to
designate an alternate location, away from customers but in sight of
significant numbers of employees, where such activities may take place.
Or to work out an arrangement whereby they can take place with minimal
liklihood that it will cause customers to become concerned about Digital.

I think a blanket refusal to allow solicitation at sites where customers are 
present is a clear violation of the DEC principal to "do the right thing".

	Enjoy,
	Larry

	If Personnel thinks that employees gathering signatures because the 
	DCU is messed up causes embarrassment to DEC, I think the employees 
	who need a talking to are not the employees trying to fix things, but
	the ones who messed up the DCU in the first place.

						Tom_K

I agree, but remember, the DEC employees in charge of the credit union
are in positions of power in the company and also do not admit to
messing up DCU. Furthermore, the customer's perception will be: if the
DCU, run by important Digital employees, can't keep things under control,
how reliable can Digital, being run by the same people, be?

I'm on the fence about this one. And considering we don't seem to have
much trouble getting signatures, I'd let them have this one. Let's save
it for battles we really need to win.

    
    I'd take .8 one step further. What are the customers going to know
    about DCU? Nothing! They'll just see some DECcie sitting at a table
    collecting signatures, and assume something is wrong in Camelot. I can
    argue at length that the assumption is wrong, but it will be there
    nevertheless.
    
    Disregarding the subject of ties between DCU and DEC completely,
    collecting signatures in a caf frequented by customers is taking too
    great a chance that we will inadvertently put DEC in a bad light.
    I agree that rather than rejecting the idea out of hand, facility
    management should be open to supplying an alternate location.