It is all about Union Democracy.
I wanted change that would let more people know more about how our Union is run. I wanted more people to be involved in running our Union.
I never gave any thought to what anyone would think of me.
I am happy to say that MSEA-SEIU 1989 staff and elected offic
ers have never tried to influence what I write. When they want to know what I think they ask me.
To anyone that may be reading, please pass on to your friends, or coworkers that the only way to find out what goes on here, is to come here. Ask your friends or coworkers not to pass judgment on something they know nothing about. More to the point, if anyone has any questions, tell them to contact the site directly.
That goes for all of you readers. If you have something to say about this site, you are welcome to contact me, or better yet, join in and participate. Share your viewpoint. Agree or disagree if your voice isn't heard, your ideas won't be heard.
UnionMaine is not an “anti” site. This site is all about building a better Union, not tearing down our Union and anyone involved in helping our members. If you review enough UnionMaine posts, you will see that what I do is to bring up topics that some would like to ignore and hopefully some topics that no one else has brought up……yet..
If you have found yourself here in the past, you
know I try to provide both alternative viewpoints and offer solutions to our problems. This Blog is dedicated to the saying, “Lead, follow, or get out of the way”. If you have nothing to offer but complaints, you have nothing to offer. I don't always have a solution and if not, I try to say so. Even if I don’t have a solution if enough of our members work together, I believe we can solve anything.
None of us is smarter than all of us. Unlike some of the
on line forums, it's a simple matter to complain about our union; it's much more difficult to support the union and support change by becoming involved.
Here are at least two solutions for those that think this site is anti MSEA or is only here to complain.
1. Read another forum, there are a lot that only know how to
complain.
2. Contact the site directly.
OR
3. If you think you have something to say, good or bad, become an active member of UnionMaine. Write your own articles. I will publish them or comment on stories if you like them or not, even if you do so anonymously.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=9ea6cb41-3055-4235-b828-fea8d5c3ef32)
- October 23, 2003 
Concerning SEIU in Maine. First MSEA is part of SEIU so asking the question is like asking why MSEA is in Maine.
ReplyDeleteSecond is your continuing parroting of the misinformation concerning California. How any good union member could condone the misappropriation of millions of dollars of members dues by the corrupt local leaders of UHW-West which was to be used for their own legal defense (not the Local's) is beyond me. I notice you don't talk about the lack of bargaining and the sabotage of bargaining done by UHW-W during the run up to their treachery.
SEIU has been good to MSEA and provided support both monetarily and with information and staffing for nearly 20 years. They provide a health insurance program for our childcare and homecare members that allows them to finally have some health insurance.
They provide a presence on the National Level and in Congress to lobby for fixing the social security offsets and getting increased funding for departments like DOL and DHHS.
Brothers and sisters,
ReplyDeleteI support MSEA and have supported MSEA for over 20 years but, now and in the last 5 years or so, I am thinking the affiliation we have with SIEU is not good. I feel we should dis-affiliate with SIEU. Ask yourself are we better off now than five years ago, ten years ago, fifteen years ago?? I feel SEIU has done very little for us. Interestingly,SEIU has done a few things: helping past MSEA presidents and a few other retired (MSEA)state employees land jobs at SEIU after they leave Maine state service. The fact is that at least 3 past MSEA presidents have worked for or are working for SEIU. This strikes me as and odd and what it implies. It is time for a divorce from SEIU. Let's ger rid of SEIU now.
If you disagree with me, list FIVE things SIEU has dome for Maine State employees on the state or national level. We need to lower our union dues and keep the money in Maine. If we need help from a National Union we can pay them on a case by case basis as needed.
Brothers and Sisters, please reconsider our relationship SEIU. I think it is time to say good-bye and good riddance to SEIU.
Keep it local.