Why Do I Always Vote Yes on Grievances?

I have some fellow officers who mock and slander me for always voting YES regarding grievance arbitration. I say to these persons with no hesitation:

You show the membership that you lack intelligence and empathy. 

Note my words carefully: “Fellow officers who mock and slander me…” 

This is much different from those who disagree with me and vote NO. 

For them, it is a decision from their own mind and heart.

Over the years I have consistently begged officials and the membership to accept the Truth: 

If we spent dues money on organizing members for mass action and educating them about the Contract, Labor Law, Union History and our own ATU Bylaws and Constitution, the MAJORITY OF WRITEUPS AND TERMINATIONS WOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED. 

So I choose YES by the principle of this fact. 

I choose YES because our boss-loving, party-hardy presidents choose to keep us in ignorance and entertained. 

I choose YES because too many of us think it’s normal for union leadership to be friends with our bosses. 

I choose YES because the corruption of Business Unionism has made us into just another layer of CTA mismanagement. 

Should I defeat President Pennie in the election, you will be given control of your union. You will have a president who seeks to establish good relationships with you—not with the people who terrorize us. 

The goals I have outlined: 

1. Virtual Membership Meetings with voting privileges. 

2. Unimpeded access to all financial information and meeting minutes. 

3. Monthly Steward and Mentoring classes with open enrollment. 

4. Member access to Executive Board meetings.  

5. As your president, I intend on being VERY public about our struggles. The media will hate or adore me. Regardless, ALL will finally hear the TRUTH about how we suffer.

Even now I do these things.

However, as president, it will be more intense. I intend to inspire and empower members to take on CTA mismanagement and be a collective force of positive change—using tactics democratically decided by the members. 

As our presidents have been nothing but miniature CTA bosses over us, I intend on being a COACH for us. 

A cheerleader. 

A trusted ally. 

Those who I have worked with me in the Struggle know this to be True. 

Unlike Pennie, Mark—and those before them—I have a proven track record of being an unconditional defender of CTA workers. I NEVER EVER side with CTA mismanagement. Like me or not, you know I am consistent. 

If you want to be in the know about what is happening at Local 308 and help put members in control of our union, please register for my Virtual Union Hall now (all members can register, whether they like me or not). If you already registered, no need to do it again. You are in.

If I am elected as president, you will be plugged in to what is happening.