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Posted on 07/13/2011 2:46:42 PM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
The public controversy over Racine's 9-11 float might be over, but the fallout within the Racine Fire Department is not.
Firefighter Aaron Rodriguez, who writes a conservative blog, told No Quarter this week that he has resigned from the Racine firefighters union, International Association of Fire Fighters Local 321, over its handling of a Fourth of July parade float honoring firefighters and cops killed on Sept. 11, 2001.
The executive committee of the board voted not to support the float in the Racine parade because it was sponsored by an Oak Creek firefighter who recently quit the union.
"That was one of the final straws," said Rodriguez.
Another came when Craig Ford, president of the Racine firefighters union, put out a memo giving his side of the controversy. Ford wrote:
"It is disgusting that right wing activists have suggested that your union is in any way objecting to honoring our fallen FDNY Union Comrades. Contrary to what I’ve read, L-321 did not boycott, block or obstruct Gorniak’s float. . . . I am amazed at the activists’ ability to steer conversation away from the irony that L-321 merely took a pass on supporting with your union dues a fair share member’s personal project."
The note called out Rodriguez and implied that he was partially responsible for the negative media coverage over the float. The note went out to more than 130 firefighters in Racine.
Reached this week, Rodriguez said he respects Ford and the other members of the executive board. But he believes they got caught in the whirlwind of protest over Gov. Scott Walker's budget-repair plan.
"They're not representing me, and they haven't since the budget battle in Madison," Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez became the second "fair share" firefighter in his city.
Under state law, public safety employees can drop out of the union and opt to pay just their share of the cost the union incurs for negotiating contracts. These nonvoting employees don't have to foot the bill for the union's political, social and ideological activities.
Rodriguez and the second nonunion firefighter, Mike Gabbey, have not yet been told how much they'll pay for barganing costs.
Ford said he expects an audit to be completed soon that will determine how much the fair-share employees will owe.
Ford said he and his executive board are working on a response to Rodriguez's resignation.
A fair share member is a union member who does not want to pay dues for the union's political agenda and who is allowed to pare his membership back so that he pays a reduced fee that covers the cost of negotiating for wages and working conditions only.
I can't wait to see their estimates of the cost to negotiate on the part of the union versus the donations to Democrat politicians.
The jig is up, comrades.
Amazing. A good man works for the Racine fire department.
The article refers to 'fair share' union members as non-members and non-voting members.
They are required to pay their 'fair share' of union negotiating costs but can't vote??? Isn't that taxation without representation??
Starting to look a lot like the Soviet Union to me.
that 12 cents is in the social security “lock box”.
that’s all that’s left.
And the union is working on a response to Rodriguez’s resignation. I wonder what form it will take. They need to discourage such resignations - “informational” picketing in front of Rodriguez’s house; a team to visit and try and change his mind; single out his kids for special educational attention by a cooperative NEA member, etc.
I am 73 and have belonged to a union for most of my adult life; I still belong to one, SEIU actually (hangs head in shame). I am just about to quit as I’ve had it up to here with the union as last January they raised the rates to be a percentage of your wages. They only did it because we have gotten no raise for the last 3 years, but they figured out a way to get one for themselves. Take it from me, SEIU is falling apart...many locals are not the ‘democratic stronghold’ they once were. I am still a Democrat but haven’t voted for one for awhile and don’t plan to soon as long as all they propose is more spending and taxing and abortions.
I don’t post too often on these boards, but I do read from time to time.
Peace.
I must admit that I am not familiar with the inner machinations of unions. Despite my very limited knowledge of this subject, I do see an obvious problem. It would appear that those who choose to be a fair share member in effect openly identifies himself as a person who is opposed to the political goals of the union. It seems to me that such a person may and probably would experience unfair treatment and open harassment from union officials and co-workers.
You don't sound much like one (that's a compliment!)
There’s a lot not understood about union membership.In NYS fair share is called agency fee.Payment for union acting as agent in negotiations and contract violation hearings. In fact it includes salary for officers and staff, communication in newsletter or newspaper.Some agency fees are as little as 50% of dues while many are 90%.The worker must receive an itemized dues expenditure report once a year.Supposedly, even for members, only COPE donations,not dues, may be used for political causes.Every union member can ask his union for a Beck (not Glenn) form to see if dues were spent on politics and demand a refund.
Actually, you understand the union quite well.
My hubby is a union member. I’ve sent a few anti-union emails to his local and to the AFL-CIO in the past. One day he told me I was going to have to stop because the union powers were fixin’ to land on him like a ton of bricks because of my opinions.
They all blocked me anyway so I can’t send them emails if I wanted to.
Actually, you understand the union quite well.
My hubby is a union member. I’ve sent a few anti-union emails to his local and to the AFL-CIO in the past. One day he told me I was going to have to stop because the union powers were fixin’ to land on him like a ton of bricks because of my opinions.
They all blocked me anyway so I can’t send them emails if I wanted to.
That is why those Firefighters, Police, Teachers, etc. who choose to become "fair share" members are the bravest of the brave. The union thugs can be really nasty, threatening, and dangerous.
I follow you so far. These things are commonplace and not necessarily malevolent.
Supposedly, even for members, only COPE donations,not dues, may be used for political causes.
What exactly are COPE donations? Are these 'donations' required, or does the Lead Pipe Collection Division take care of that? (I'm just kidding on the last ;)
Most of us here have no qualms about expressing our views. Then again, there is a reason that there is a curtain at the voting booth. The system seems in place is rife with corruption. Not like your husband, but you know that those 'above' are giving marching orders.
I don't know what to say. As if these folks don't have enough to deal with, they have to have eyes in the back of their heads.
COPE are union deductions over and above dues. You must sign a card before the employer can deduct the monies.In 25 years with NYC schools I NEVER sent a penny to COPE.I was never threatened, though one union chapter leader wouldn’t talk to me.BTW COPE means Committee On Political Education.Orwellian isn’t it?
No kidding. Wow. The sad thing is that we are living it. Unbelievable.
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