Post by admin on Jul 27, 2008 14:53:16 GMT -5
www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008807270308
Katz-led union local lacking accountability
By BRIAN SULLIVAN
• July 27, 2008
As I continue to read about Carla Katz, I am reminded of the old saying that a fish stinks from the head down.
Katz is my union president. As a member of Communication Workers of America Local 1034 who has been active as both a shop steward and served on a contract negotiating team, I have to say it is I am greatly pleased that the national union finally has stepped in and taken action against her.
Katz should have been gone long ago. When her relationship with Gov. Corzine and all the fruits it produced for her were made public, she should have had the courage and character to step down. She didn't.
When her position as head of the state's largest union local came up for election, people did attempt to run against her. For reasons that are unclear, the people who challenged her were denied that chance. Katz ran unopposed, denying the membership of her local an election. If the union had any democratic principles and cared about the integrity of the union, there would have been a race. If Katz and her pals at the top of the local were so sure they were doing well, they would have encouraged and ensured an election. The dues-paying membership was ripped off.
In a letter to all CWA 1034 members, the national executive board has leveled some serious charges against the local: misappropriation of funds, financial malpractice, suppression of dissent and failure to keep time records. Those of us who have paid attention are not surprised. For too long, the rank and file have been disenfranchised by our leadership. Some might say the union membership is apathetic. That is not the case. They have had their voices squashed by those who are supposed to represent them. I have seen this firsthand.
When election time comes, we are fed a biased line from the union bosses. They put political candidates of their choice in front of the membership; they do not give their opponents a fair shot at gaining the ear of the rank and file. Of course, the union-endorsed candidates tell the membership what they want to hear, but they rarely deliver on their promises.
The rank and file votes on issues, but union bosses subsequently may fight against their wishes. I have seen the rules changed in midstream, so the union bosses can get the results they want.
One of the charges against Katz is that she spent $700,000 in union membership dues on political candidates who represent areas where she has few members. That should be no surprise considering the long track record of CWA 1034 not representing its rank and file, but instead feeding the pigs at the trough.
This reminds me of why I have long supported the paycheck protection measures that some elected leaders have proposed and unions have fought against. I have long believed the unions should gain the consent of each individual member before they give our money to their pals. The use and abuse of our money has gone on for too long. The empowerment of the individual is key to bringing about changes and accountability within the unions.
An example of where individual empowerment would help is the issue of health care. Our union supports and gives our money to politicians who offer no solutions to this concern. Our unions and the politicians are only seeking ways of passing the buck to the taxpayer. At no point do we see them finding ways to make health care affordable, not only for the membership, but for taxpayers and society as a whole. The expectation is that taxpayers will foot the bill; taxpayers are rightfully getting fed up.
Sorry, union bosses, but this is one CWA member and taxpayer who expects real results and solutions. I would prefer to give my money to those who are striving for solutions. The unions have failed miserably on this issue.
When we look at our nation's history, unions came about for good reasons and, at times, have been vital in defending workers' rights. But now there is a dire need for change. Something has gone terribly wrong and the real changes only will start when the rank and file have a greater voice in their unions and the union bosses are held accountable.
I say good riddance to Katz. She has done no favors for anyone but herself.
Brian Sullivan lives in Freehold. He is a member of CWA Local 1034.
Katz-led union local lacking accountability
By BRIAN SULLIVAN
• July 27, 2008
As I continue to read about Carla Katz, I am reminded of the old saying that a fish stinks from the head down.
Katz is my union president. As a member of Communication Workers of America Local 1034 who has been active as both a shop steward and served on a contract negotiating team, I have to say it is I am greatly pleased that the national union finally has stepped in and taken action against her.
Katz should have been gone long ago. When her relationship with Gov. Corzine and all the fruits it produced for her were made public, she should have had the courage and character to step down. She didn't.
When her position as head of the state's largest union local came up for election, people did attempt to run against her. For reasons that are unclear, the people who challenged her were denied that chance. Katz ran unopposed, denying the membership of her local an election. If the union had any democratic principles and cared about the integrity of the union, there would have been a race. If Katz and her pals at the top of the local were so sure they were doing well, they would have encouraged and ensured an election. The dues-paying membership was ripped off.
In a letter to all CWA 1034 members, the national executive board has leveled some serious charges against the local: misappropriation of funds, financial malpractice, suppression of dissent and failure to keep time records. Those of us who have paid attention are not surprised. For too long, the rank and file have been disenfranchised by our leadership. Some might say the union membership is apathetic. That is not the case. They have had their voices squashed by those who are supposed to represent them. I have seen this firsthand.
When election time comes, we are fed a biased line from the union bosses. They put political candidates of their choice in front of the membership; they do not give their opponents a fair shot at gaining the ear of the rank and file. Of course, the union-endorsed candidates tell the membership what they want to hear, but they rarely deliver on their promises.
The rank and file votes on issues, but union bosses subsequently may fight against their wishes. I have seen the rules changed in midstream, so the union bosses can get the results they want.
One of the charges against Katz is that she spent $700,000 in union membership dues on political candidates who represent areas where she has few members. That should be no surprise considering the long track record of CWA 1034 not representing its rank and file, but instead feeding the pigs at the trough.
This reminds me of why I have long supported the paycheck protection measures that some elected leaders have proposed and unions have fought against. I have long believed the unions should gain the consent of each individual member before they give our money to their pals. The use and abuse of our money has gone on for too long. The empowerment of the individual is key to bringing about changes and accountability within the unions.
An example of where individual empowerment would help is the issue of health care. Our union supports and gives our money to politicians who offer no solutions to this concern. Our unions and the politicians are only seeking ways of passing the buck to the taxpayer. At no point do we see them finding ways to make health care affordable, not only for the membership, but for taxpayers and society as a whole. The expectation is that taxpayers will foot the bill; taxpayers are rightfully getting fed up.
Sorry, union bosses, but this is one CWA member and taxpayer who expects real results and solutions. I would prefer to give my money to those who are striving for solutions. The unions have failed miserably on this issue.
When we look at our nation's history, unions came about for good reasons and, at times, have been vital in defending workers' rights. But now there is a dire need for change. Something has gone terribly wrong and the real changes only will start when the rank and file have a greater voice in their unions and the union bosses are held accountable.
I say good riddance to Katz. She has done no favors for anyone but herself.
Brian Sullivan lives in Freehold. He is a member of CWA Local 1034.
But let me just say, I always find it amusing - but also very sad - that I hear people using the phrase "Democratic Society" less and less to describe America (unless it's in a political speech), and instead they are replacing it with "Society based on Capitalism"...and let me make clear, the majority of people saying that are folks on the "right". But that's a topic for a whole other thread.