Presidents Message, March 2, 2006
On January 31, 2006, Sister Norma Potter was told by the President of CNTA, John Davis, that the Executive Board had a stealth meeting the night before and no longer wanted her assigned to the UniServ. The leadership of CNTA violated every tenet of basic unionism we value and promote on a daily basis. Absent due process or just cause, the local then proceeded to change the locks on the office. This type of egregious behavior would never be tolerated by any self respecting union. CSO moved into action quickly by informing the CNTA membership of their own locals’ behavior. The actions taken were necessary, not only to share the injustice imposed upon a CSO member, but to send a message to all local UniServs acting in the capacity as management that this type of anti-union behavior will not be tolerated. Our quick steps became even more needed as time passed and CTA did nothing. Ironically, prior to this, both CTA management and leadership approached me to ask what actions CSO was going to take and offered encouragement. In other words, “please carry our water”.
Pressure was applied to CTA by CNTA regarding our actions. Instead of pointing out to CNTA the gross error of their ways, CTA decided to go after CSO. CTA demanded that CSO Organizing Chair Karen Bost and I attend an interrogation meeting with CTA lawyer Laurie Steinsapir present. Claiming that our actions were interfering with internal governance of a local, CTA wanted us to name the names of those who participated in our CSO organizing efforts. Our consistent and only response to their questions was “CSO!” CSO’s actions are protected under the NRLA and CTA’s intimidation tactics should not and will not be tolerated. What will CTA claim next, that we can not talk to leaders at conferences? We all need to stand united and fight CTA’s anti-union and unjust behavior. If CTA has forgotten how to be a union, maybe they can learn again by watching us.
Pressure was applied to CTA by CNTA regarding our actions. Instead of pointing out to CNTA the gross error of their ways, CTA decided to go after CSO. CTA demanded that CSO Organizing Chair Karen Bost and I attend an interrogation meeting with CTA lawyer Laurie Steinsapir present. Claiming that our actions were interfering with internal governance of a local, CTA wanted us to name the names of those who participated in our CSO organizing efforts. Our consistent and only response to their questions was “CSO!” CSO’s actions are protected under the NRLA and CTA’s intimidation tactics should not and will not be tolerated. What will CTA claim next, that we can not talk to leaders at conferences? We all need to stand united and fight CTA’s anti-union and unjust behavior. If CTA has forgotten how to be a union, maybe they can learn again by watching us.
