we r starting a riders union

mcphilly
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5/2/2010 4:45pm
If you want to make change there will be a time when you may have to strike to get what you want . A group does not strike . An organization does not strike . A union strikes and gets what it wants or close to it before it continues . I see why some people on here are skechy on the word union but it holds a new level of power compared to the other classifications . Union = Unity, together we stand and organized ......If you are going to do it you need to come out swinging. either way good luck Smile
ns503
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5/2/2010 5:02pm Edited Date/Time 4/17/2016 10:34pm
The word Union by itself might have bad connotations to some, but use in a phrase such as Riders Safety Union should make the intentions crystal clear. United on Safety - who in good conscience could find objection in that?

Anything good you guys in there can do to improve the injury situation is good for us guys out here. But you guys have waaaay more at stake than us rabid-fan couch potatoes.

Good luck going forward, really hoping something great comes out of this!

EDIT: Ooops, think I was slow there, mcphilly covered some of what I was trying to say..
jbomx363
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5/2/2010 5:04pm
The problem as I see it with anything with the word "safety" in it is just that. You will only be able to argue points that have to do with safety and there is so much more the riders have to bargain with and for themselves.
bents
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Fantasy
5/2/2010 5:09pm
jbomx363 wrote:
Sorry.. Riders Safety Association is not something that sounds good. Don't sell yourselves short (if you're going to do it, go all out and do it...
Sorry.. Riders Safety Association is not something that sounds good.

Don't sell yourselves short (if you're going to do it, go all out and do it right) as this shouldn't only be for safety reasons, but for the benefit of the professional racer in all aspects of the sport. From insurance, to profit sharing(for payouts), to getting the rights to sell your own stuff at the races, to all kinds of things that a organized group of professionals can bring to the bargaining table.

Professional Riders or Racers Association is better.
363,

Right on-absolutely dead on. How many times have we talked about the lack of purse, lack of insurance, etc for Pro Mx riders? This is much much more than a "safety committee"! This union or association, needs to represent the riders in every way, otherwise the riders will continue to risk life and limb for a whole lot less than guys who are on the pro bowling tour. If SX and MX weren't making a profit, there wouldn't be a series. This profit needs to be transparent and it needs to be shared by the riders, who are the one's putting their ass on the line every time the gate drops. Does any other stick and ball sport have the same level of risk every minute they compete? Football is a tough way to make a living (avg career length is around 3.5 yrs-except Brett Favre....!) but if we think of 17 sx races and 12 mx races and all the testing and the laps...that is a whole lot of risk for a whole bunch of participants when only a very few make the big cake.

The Shop

LouDog
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5/2/2010 5:39pm
I agree with this and I think it should also address payouts in both SX and MX.
500 Mike
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5/2/2010 5:45pm
I can't wait to hear how much the Union dues are going to be.
`ol Ger
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Piqua, OH, USA
5/2/2010 5:48pm
Agreed. Union is aprovocative term. Safety council, or Motocross Steering Committee is better. At first I didn't think this was you Grant, because of the text language. Looks like it is.


See you at Hangtown,


ger
flarider
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5/2/2010 5:48pm
I see this is getting out of control quickly
Crush
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5/2/2010 5:51pm
Sent GL a facebook message with some suggestions...

You guys have got to make sure you are ALL on board and you don't go to them as a group until that is sealed... Stand as a complete group, with the same goals and you'll get stuff done...

They need you more than you need them!!!!
YZKEN250
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5/2/2010 6:01pm Edited Date/Time 4/17/2016 10:34pm
Right on guys.




RACEGUY
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Moncton, CA
5/2/2010 6:08pm Edited Date/Time 4/17/2016 10:34pm
Solidarity. All in for a common good.

As for already expanding the mandate to include payouts, etc, I would suggest one carefully chewed bite at a time.
Sonny
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5/2/2010 6:10pm
`ol Ger wrote:
Agreed. Union is aprovocative term. Safety council, or Motocross Steering Committee is better. At first I didn't think this was you Grant, because of the text...
Agreed. Union is aprovocative term. Safety council, or Motocross Steering Committee is better. At first I didn't think this was you Grant, because of the text language. Looks like it is.


See you at Hangtown,


ger
Honestly, the term union may be what the doctor ordered. A union with full representation of riders an lawyers and a threat to walk out if bargaining is not in question. Many conservative thinking people are indeed put off by unions.
Personally, if I hear the words "deal with it" it reinforces the need to unite even more. Fight the good fight, GL .
Rupert X
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5/2/2010 6:18pm


Some follow-up advice.

1. Consult counsel.

2. Consider everything - eg,; SX practice tracks, OEM contractsetc...

3. Think rationally, not emotionally.

4. Don't rush to judgment.

5. Prepare for the adverse.
Crush
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5/2/2010 6:19pm
Sonny wrote:
Honestly, the term union may be what the doctor ordered. A union with full representation of riders an lawyers and a threat to walk out if...
Honestly, the term union may be what the doctor ordered. A union with full representation of riders an lawyers and a threat to walk out if bargaining is not in question. Many conservative thinking people are indeed put off by unions.
Personally, if I hear the words "deal with it" it reinforces the need to unite even more. Fight the good fight, GL .
+ 1 on the legal advice and being together on everything... They need to be ready to walk if need be...

They'll only have to do it once... If Feld can't put on a show, it isn't like there are another 40 guys who can go seat bounce triples all day long...
Dirtysmile56
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5/2/2010 6:21pm
Good to hear guys. I honestly can't believe no one has organized one yet. I guess our sport is still fairly young. It will be scary but you guys hold the power. If the riders refuse to ride then there will be no racing. The tracks do not need to be soo technical, flow and available line choices are the key to good racing, not career ending jump sections/combo's. This sport is slowly killing itself off. I am an enthusiast and rider/racer for 25 years and I have no interest in having my kids line up for slaughter. It has become insane, bike power, crazy jumps etc.. We have pretty much been riding only certain safer tracks and spending more seat time than anything rallying on our mini track with the ttr's. We have as much or more fun riding these bone stock ttr 125's in comparison to the big bikes. Racing action is racing action regardless of the speed or size of the jumps/bikes. Bring back the racing action and let's have the riders that start the series there at the final round.
track guy
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Chicago, IL, USA
5/2/2010 6:38pm
GL8 wrote:
Chad Reed and i r going to spearhead this, we r going to b very vocal and r going to make this great sport as safe...
Chad Reed and i r going to spearhead this, we r going to b very vocal and r going to make this great sport as safe as possible. we already have as host of top riders on board, the media and MX Sports support already, enough is enough!!!
about time !
rmpilot
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Tomah, WI, USA
5/2/2010 6:41pm
while i am against unions in general for what happens to jobs leaving after their demands take effect quite often. (and im going to be a teacher where a union is almost mandatory, go figure) a union of some sorts for a loose association of of employees like racing is a good idea. it can give a voice to these men and keep things in check similar to something like a plumbers union for example.
dev14
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Hartselle, AL, USA
5/2/2010 6:57pm
flarider wrote:
I see this is getting out of control quickly
Dave is right. Staying focused on the mission (Rider Safety), and let the other stuff happen when the time's right. In my line of work we call that "requirements creep" and it usually spells disaster for the project (the president cancelling your program is another thing that spells disaster, but that's another topic). Make the first priority the riders safety (we have laid to many to rest recently). I am praying for 100% rider participation to the point that when the committee says "this onstacle is not safe for all and riders will not take to the track unless it is changed", then the riders do not go against one another and they do not take to the track.

Call it what you will....a union...club.... an association.....or whatever, Grant is right, the name doesn't matter as much as the mission.

Awesome idea guys.

RupertX, that was a great read. Another friend of mine spoke his mind and lost cred too but he has no trouble sleeping at night.
WhipMeister
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Big D, TX, USA
5/2/2010 7:07pm
You can call it anything you want. That doesn't limit the scope of what you can lobby for.
Adam43
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WF
5/2/2010 7:10pm
Great idea.

I think it would be wise for Grant, Reed, and Co. to talk to their peers and figure out what their aims are and how to proceed. It's a Pro organization and it should be between them.

The suggestions and rhetoric in here are already getting out of hand.
GuyB
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Aliso Viejo, CA, USA
5/2/2010 7:11pm
Among the things I'd suggest, having a mission statement, and a clearly stated set of goals.

Also define the scope of what you guys are trying to do. If it's primarily with regards to safety, or whether it includes things like purses, etc.
CamP
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Colleyville, TX, USA
5/2/2010 7:18pm
A 10" travel rule would make the sport safer for everyone.
5/2/2010 7:31pm
hey guyb how about a interview with GL? would love to get the scoop on this.
5/2/2010 7:32pm
CamP wrote:
A 10" travel rule would make the sport safer for everyone.
You can't fly unless your hung?Wink
kwhite199
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USA
5/2/2010 7:34pm
I like the idea.

I am sure this has been mentioned, but everyone needs to be on board. It can't be half way where some of the riders agree to go along with it and others don't. When push comes to shove all the riders need to be united to the cause.

Best of luck to you guys!

Crush
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5/2/2010 7:47pm Edited Date/Time 4/17/2016 10:34pm
James just chimed in with a pretty awesome twitter... Good for him and the idea... All the riders need to be on board, and be ready to walk if they don't get their way and get some needed change in our sport!!!

js7

@CRtwotwo you & GL gonna start a riders union?? We'll I'm in because people getting hurt is ridiculous. Let's put the BS aside and do this
flarider
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5/2/2010 7:48pm Edited Date/Time 4/17/2016 10:34pm
GuyB wrote:
Among the things I'd suggest, having a mission statement, and a clearly stated set of goals. Also define the scope of what you guys are trying...
Among the things I'd suggest, having a mission statement, and a clearly stated set of goals.

Also define the scope of what you guys are trying to do. If it's primarily with regards to safety, or whether it includes things like purses, etc.
I agree with GuyB.

At the same time, one problem on any start up involving many is the proverbial "Too many cooks in the kitchen."

In my opinion, prior to writing your mission statement, you should assemble a board to write this mission statement. A few factory guys and a few non-factory guys, and don't make it a "click" of your bro's. Get real people like JT$ involved, he's been around a while and is a smart guy, who also knows what it's like to not be the elite in the sport. (no offense JT$)

It is also my opinion that your primary goals should be safety. If you make safety the number one objective, you will get more riders on board as well as get greater support from teams, OEM's, sponsors and even promoters....who is going to be against safety?

If you make a primary objective financial, such as purses and insurance, you are going to meet resistance from the employers (teams/OEM's) and promoters.


Safety first, get everyone on board and correct and improve that first. Once you accomplish all your goals in regards to safety, then approach other issues, because by this time you'll have established a working relationship and hopefully some trust, that'll make approaching the other issues easier.
Crush
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5/2/2010 7:52pm Edited Date/Time 4/17/2016 10:34pm
More awesomeness...


Chad's reply and then James...


CRtwotwo


@js7 enoughs enoughs if any 2 guys can pull it off I would think we got this! Hope the wrist healing up let's bang barsSmile

js7


Man I hope I can race. I can't wait to dominate 2 minutes ago via web


js7 @CRtwotwo You ain't lying bro!! The only problem is that we are dealing with the mafia lol. Preciate that and will do. Congrats on your Son!

5/2/2010 8:09pm Edited Date/Time 4/17/2016 10:34pm
We are seeing history being made right now folks - Good work GL, CR & JS!
Hopefully #2 / #14 / #18 / #10 etc etc get on board soon!!
SH_105
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5/2/2010 8:12pm Edited Date/Time 4/17/2016 10:34pm
motokiwi wrote:
We are seeing history being made right now folks - Good work GL, CR & JS! Hopefully #2 / #14 / #18 / #10 etc etc...
We are seeing history being made right now folks - Good work GL, CR & JS!
Hopefully #2 / #14 / #18 / #10 etc etc get on board soon!!
Well I am for sure in on this!! Whats awesome is both Chad and James are putting there beef between each other aside and making sure we are ALL safe at the races!! It goes to show you that power by numbers will make its way to the front of any issues we want to address!


105

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