September 03, 2008
Democracy TWU-style
Free speech apparently is not tolerated by leaders of the union that nearly crippled New York City with an illegal transit strike in 2005.
The Chief, the public employee weekly, reports:
The executive board of Transport Workers Union Local 100 has passed a motion stating that any union officer advocating dues amnesty will be removed from office, according to one member of the governing body.
TWU Local President Roger Toussaint pushed the motion, the source told the newspaper. (For article, link here for subscribers only.)
In a separate editorial, The Chief observes, "To an increasing and alarming degree, Transport Workers Union Local 100 President Roger Toussaint is becoming a parody of the labor leader as petty dictator." (Link here for subscribers only.)
"Local 100 has taken an absolutist stand against its own officers utilizing their free-speech rights," at the same time that the TWU is appealing state Supreme Court Justice Bruce Balter's ruling on First Amendment grounds, the editorial wryly notes.
The union has been struggling financially for the past 15 months after a judge ruled it is not entitled to automatic dues collection, because it illegally struck in 2005 and its leadership refused to pledge not to strike in the future. Only about half of TWU's membership voluntarily pays dues.
Three activists, including a vice chair of the TWU, recently proposed amnesty in an attempt to bring recalcitrant members back into the fold. Under the plan, those behind in paying their dues would become members in good standing if they paid back dues on an installment plan.
The union's current contract expires in January 2009.
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