The Misconduct of President Dixon (November Union Meeting)

I sent the following message about President Dixon and Secretary-Treasurer Lane to the ATU International President:

Dear Brother President John A Costa:

After the conclusion of the November membership meeting, Local 308 Brother President Eric Dixon refused to accept this petition from my coworkers at Howard Rail Shop, saying they can call him. 

 

We, the Local 308 Instructors, Clerks, Motor Blowers, Repairers and Servicers at Howard Shop, humbly request our Executive Board Members—Brothers Reginald McCall and Orvin Hurst—to share with us updates about the Contract and answer other questions within ten days of receiving this Petition.

We authorize President Dixon to temporarily release the brothers—or Assistant Board Members—from their duties at the CTA and pay them for time lost with our union funds. That way they can meet with all members during all three shifts.

In fact, not only is he ignoring me. But so is Secretary-Treasurer Deborah Lane. Our Shop Executive Board Member has threatened me with harassment charges if I ever contact him again.

I am being blocked by the Local 308 union officers from helping members participate in the progress of our union and their jobs because they don't like me personally. This is wrong!

I also gave him an important Contract proposal change from a member: A Contract proposal item to help coworkers preserve their earned vacation time if they are laid off and rehired. He was shorted rightful vacation time and grievances were denied due to ambiguity in Article 11.3 of the Contract. Here is the paragraph he suggests we should add:

Employees who are hired into CTA bargained for jobs while laid off and awaiting recall from a previous CTA bargained for job, are eligible to receive their vacation time as if there was no break in service.

I asked him what I am supposed to tell them since he won't accept their petition or the Contract Proposal. He said they can call him. I will comply and am telling people about his terrible behavior.

As a union steward, I find President Dixon's conduct absolutely improper and he is obligated to serve the members—even the ones he does not like or agree with on any issue. Will you please have a talk with him and the Secretary-Treasurer about this issue so I don't need to bring charges on them?

Sincerely,

Eric Curtis Muhammad Basir

Rail Car Repairer A/Howard Shop

Local 308