Coming This Month The Anointment and Coronation of Top Officers Last Week an undated, unsigned notice was circulated at the Union Hall and around the plant. Our Executive Board claims the "NOTICE" explains why the membership of Local 2038 is not being allowed to vote in the upcoming officer elections. The following is the mentioned "NOTICE." NOTICE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNATIONAL LONGSHOREMEN'S ASSOCIATION, AFL CIO LOCAL 2038 GLDC ACD BY LAWS; ALL MEMBERS IN GOOD STANDING OF ILA LOCAL 2038 GLDC ACD (AS DEFINED IN ARTICLE IV, MEMBERSHIP, SECTION 2 AND SECTION 3) AND ALL DIVISION OFFICERS (AS DEFINED IN ARTICLE VI, SECTION 6, SUBSECTIONS a through j) SHALL BE ENTITLED TO NOMINATE AND VOTE IN THE ELECTION OF ILA LOCAL 2038 GLDC ACD OFFICERS (AS DEFINED IN ARTICLE V, OFFICERS, SECTION 1) This "Notice" is long on citations and short on explanation. We at "The Barrel" believe there is a reason for this. It is pure gibberish! To begin with they say "membership" is defined in Article IV Section 2 (which it is) and Section 3 (which it isn't). Section 3 describes the rights of a qualified new division to elect their own officers just like every other division does. And yet, the Executive Board claims Section 3 is the basis for ignoring the rights of all members that are listed in the other Articles they cited. This argument is not just lame; it is in the ICU on life support. Read them for yourself. ARTICLE IV MEMBERSHIP Section 2. Any worker, who acquires thirty one (31) days of employment within the jurisdiction of Local 2038 GLDC ACD, shall be entitled to Union membership within Local 2038 GLDC ACD., with the right to vote in any general or special meeting of Local 2038 GLDC ACD and for any nominations and elections of Officers of Local 2038 GLDC ACD. Section 3. When a group of individuals consistently has ten (10) or more members, they will then be established as a bona fide Division of Local 2038 GLDC ACD., whereas, they shall have the right to vote in any general or special meeting of their Division and for any nominations and elections of their Division Officers. Now read Article V which they cited in the last sentence of their "Notice." (and this is the real elephant in the room) ARTICLE V OFFICERS Section 1. The Membership of Local 2038 GLDC ACD and all Officers representing various divisions shall elect by secret ballot a President, Secretary Treasurer, and Business Agent. All Officers shall serve for a term of three years. Our Executive Board would have you believe this Article only describes which officers are being elected. Somehow, they expect us to ignore the beginning of the sentence which says who is actually supposed to do the voting. At the Beta Steel division meeting last Monday, Andre Joseph explained the reason the Executive Board wants to keep these elections closed is based on the "Fairness Doctrine." We can't find anything in the By-laws about a "Fairness Doctrine" but we think we have a general understanding of it. It goes like this: If we let everybody vote then the majority will rule ! ! ! [Isn't that like (gulp) democracy? Hell Man ! We can't do that.] Click Here for a Printer Friendly copy of this Article

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Created on ... March 3, 2009