Paging the all powerful OZ, err, I mean Tim Nelson. Is it true that you are trying to gain nominations for a spot on the Grand Lodge ballot to run for a position within the Grand Lodge? I think for a General Vice Presidents spot right? How much do they make a year? Tell me, are you going to "donate" or "pledge" 3/4 of your pay back the the members again? Seriously, tell me it's not about the $$$$ now.
Direct question time.
Are you trying to run for a position within the grand lodge?
Since when did you and KA become BFF's?
Are you running on her coattails, or is she running on yours?
Brother PJ,
I will give you a brief recap of the last 6 months.
Item 1: District Elections
My team suspended our campaign on June 11 when it was blatantly obvious that the District Officers were using our dues to help fund their political fortunes in that election. On June 12 my team shifted to a legal battle and then compounded the legal case on July 20 when additional emails were intercepted and submitted to the DOL.
We believe there is strong evidence that will help the DOL conclude and make a favorable ruling and order a rerun election. Time will tell one way or the other, as that ruling is now pending.
As aside, a legal battle was already awarded against the District over its bylaws, during the last vote. It was agreed that the nomination process was questionable and that nominations should have extended with all day voting, as opposed to being voted upon only by those attending the meeting. With that maneuver, we were able to beat the Delaney/Atkinson legal team and get Mahina and Veronica on our ballot. We were 100% confident that that ruling would be successful, and it was. I know that the District says that I just run and cry to the DOL and that the DOL is sympathetic to me, but the DOL isn't a fly by night organization that offers sympathy. The DOL is made up of "Top" investigators and labor attorneys whose duty is to protect the rights of union members. It only makes rulings based on compelling casework, and the District only has themselves to blame for violating labor laws [both NMB and DOL], and disrespecting the membership. Thus far, Atkinson hasn't run an election without violating labor law. And even had a NMB case penalty in favor of the Teamsters [that may come back to haunt the IAM but that's for another time].
Item 2: District Elections for 2014
Regardless of the pending legal outcome, myself and Karen have joined together. That doesn't mean everyone on her previous team, or my previous team subscribe to the idea, but we will attempt to move forward together. Those on her previous team and mine will be welcome if they so choose to put away bygones. Others who supported 141 rising will also be welcome. Together, we believe, will be the best solution to changing the direction of our union away from the baby soft management friendly ways of today where our united airline brothers and sisters are being pantsed with our current regime. Those that continue to support Delaney and Atkinson are also free to do so.
Item 3: International Elections
Yes, myself and Karen decided to run for international office. Me for International President, and Karen for General Vice President. Unfortunately, the International has never had elections in the 128 year history. I believe silence and standing down should never be an option if we are to prune or make our union strong. Only those who think elections are evil would mock brothers or sisters running for office. To attain an election, we will have to file a complaint [it is in the mail] and force the International to either yield its unreasonable bylaws, or we will have to file the complaint to the DOL after exhausting any internal dispute that hasn't been resolved. We are 100% confident that the nomination process is illegal and does not conform to the LMRDA, along with some other items we included in the complaint. IMO, the chances are that neither myself or Karen gets on any international ballot but it is still worth challenging the international bylaws as illegal and forcing an election whereby us or other candidates can finally run for international office without the undue burdens and unreasonableness displayed in our IAM constitution.
I myself am in full favor of having international elections, whether I run as President or someone else. Losing 3,000 members a month under Buffenbarger's watch and having a dependency on yearly dues increases as salaries go up and staff gets increased is morally wrong. This union is now under 350,000 active members and we can either keep blaming Republicans and risk our IAM pensions at further risk, or make changes and be more aggressive in organizing which should prevent membership losses and limit dependency on yearly dues increases. I know 700 says the IAM pension is separate, and it is, but it is still a ponzie scheme based on actives and retirees. As the actives dwindle, the fund must either cut back future benefits to those who are active, or increase participants. Increasing participants starts with preventing membership losses and increasing the rolls.
regards,
