There are a number of reasons to be a working president. Our local is small, 425+/- members. By working to make my 1300 hours, I can save the union at least $50k a year in benefits expenses for healthcare, pension, and 401. In addition, the income I earn will be deducted from the president's total salary. This all amounts to a freeing up of about $175k a year to work on internal organizing projects. Another significant benefit is that I will interact with members weekly and suffer the same conditions. No doubt, the frustration I feel now about our conditions whether it be lack of bathrooms, filthy machines, rim rocker potholes that can and have caused serious injuries, no equipment pre-checks for safety, hazardous air quality throughout the year, but especially in the winter, the need for cold ironing of the ships to cut off their diesel emissions while at dock, will find a productive outlet in having the power to organize to change these conditions. Although I only work a few jobs now for convenience, as President, I will make it a point to work all my categories throughout the section, which is pretty much everything. I will be at the hires and can interact in a natural way before the job starts.
With respect to coverage at the union office, this won't be a problem, The day a week or so I am on the docks another E-Board member will be in the office to filed calls. I can respond during my blows if it is urgent and I will be back in the office the next day. No doubt the benefits far outweigh any scheduling inconvenience.