Slander

This sounds familiar: there are a lot of connotations but basically it means to tarnish one’s reputation. That hasn’t been done by me it’s been self-destructive.

If a Union Official were to read Title I of the LMRDA Union Members Bill of Rights, they would realize that we as Union Members have the right to criticize union officials and express opinions. Which is exactly what I have done and intend to continue doing until our officials start doing what they are supposed to.  Let’s remember what they are up there for: TO HELP THE RANK and FILE, to secure a livable wage and benefits and to respond to our needs within reason. As we all know, this is not the case.  They forgot their oath of office and most of all, they forgot who they work for: THE RANK and FILE, the CADRE, the PEONS.

Unfortunately, there is a CLASS SYSTEM that they live by. They are, of course, the UPPER CLASS and we the rank and file, are their charges, who are supposed to keep them fat and happy and not question their depressive administration.

As I keep referring to, the assault on me was an example of their mentality.  They created a firestorm, which most of us feel was a planned assault. I called a number of agencies in the Federal Government and Locally. I wrote letters to Politicians and anybody else who would take an interest.  There are going to a lot of eyes and ears watching the events that are going to take place in the next weeks: Wooten’s internal charges and also the criminal charges. The criminal court is the event that can’t be closed to the public, unlike the internal charges controlled by the union.

It doesn’t end there either, there is also a Federal investigation going now.  Ask the officers, see if they will tell the truth about what’s going on.  You know, I think they are under a gag order. So I’m not sure what their response would be. If there are charges brought, we, the members, will demand and follow through to make sure union funds are not used to pay for alleged criminal wrongdoing. We will be vigilant about this. We will be just as determined about this as we are about getting to the bottom of the use of the target fund and the inequities in the pension system that we are forced to endure, because of the Peter pay Paul practices that have been used to ruin our pensions and H&W. We will keep digging and furnishing information to the proper authorities as long as this group of self-servers are in office.  If the alleged illegal activities are proven, we will file a class action suit to make them pay every penny that was used to pay their benefits for their lucrative pensions.  Our goal will be to take away the pensions that are paid with Target monies. Monies that are supposed to be used for something other than paying exorbitant pensions, salaries, buying vehicles and organizing companies for members that don’t contribute to the Target program. All we want is to be treated fair but our

Pleas fall on deaf ears. Power and arrogance is the word of the day, everyday with those in power.  This will be ending at the next election.  I say this because the large majority of members are fed up with the FAT CATS they are supporting. The retirees are suffering and the future retirees will be suffering also and they are starting to realize what he has done and continues to do.  Change is in the air and it may come sooner than they think, or maybe they already are aware of it.

A foot note: It’s a federal law the union official make the rank and file aware of their LMRDA rights. They don’t want you to be educated in that respect because it would breed a member ship that would refuse to endure what we have been experiencing all these year.

Go to our site and click on the LMRDA link or go to the AUD  http://www.uniondemocracy.org site or the Laborers for JUSTICE web site http://www.thelaborers.net  for more info.   

Jim Archey