Written Up For Union Business AGAIN

Three times a charm, they say! 

Last year at this time I was suspended for protesting about our terrible working conditions on my off-day.

Two years ago at this time I was suspended for investigating a Kimball Shop mismanager who threatened workers with suspension if they complained to me. 

On March 12th, our president notified me that I would represent a brother who was being fired early the next morning. At first she fought his request to have me present. She lied, saying I cannot attend discharge hearings. I have been at multiple such hearings. In fact, my FIRST meeting with CTA management and a punished worker was a discharge hearing!

I will never forget her: A young Black single mom with a sick newborn. She was up all night with the baby, hardly got any sleep. Dozed off at the desk while on light-duty. Instead of waking her to see if she was alive, some scumbag snapped a picture of her and sent it to the manager. They fired her. A Second Chancer with no other hits. 

Anyway, I requested that our president excuse me from work as per our Contract. I would do the work at no cost to our union treasury. 

Yes, I decided to sacrifice a day of pay to help a brother who wanted me at his side. I don't sleep well and had to make plans with him for a strategy. Operating heavy equipment with insufficient sleep could lead to death or injury. 

But that wasn't good enough for her.  

As you will see in the email thread, she insisted on ordering me to report to work—like a scumbag mismanager who makes us choose between our life/family and our job.

What a rotten union leader. 

In the end, I was written up. I now have a new charge on my record. Got a suspension on my first year. A second suspension on my second year. This year is not a supension. However, because I received no pay, it's almost the same.

I am the only union rep she treats this way. 

If I was union president, I would never do such a terrible thing—no matter how much I dislike or disagree with the officer or steward. 

If I win president, mark my words. Hold me to it. My word is my bond.