>Joe,
>Why would you name Ruth Linoz, Will Mueller, Marcia, and Steve Rayack as scabs or potential scabs?
>Because they were drivers at one time? Most of our supervisors were at one time drivers. These people are honorable, hard working individuals. To impugn these people's good name is a low blow, even for you.
>I hope you have the integrity to apologize at a later date. I doubt very much if these people would do anything to hurt our cause. You may not know this but Will was the impetus for trying to organize the admin. people a few years back.
>Bob Neis
>LTD driver
Joe Hill Responds to Brother Neis
"A low blow even for you"? Well I guess that was supposed to hurt me. You may feel free to comment on the remarks or statements made by the Joe Hill LTD Project, but do not think you know anything about me, or who I am. One thing is certain you do not know the Joe Hill LTD Project.
Most drivers don't get to sit in admin offices and hob nob with the very people who might take our jobs when when we agree to follow the union in a strike if that happens. Supervisors, contractors or even other admin employees with CDL's that try to do our work if we are on strike are scabs simply by definition. You must not like the term scab and perceive it as an insult. We don't know if you will strike if called upon or be a scab. But anyone who does our job either willingly or unwillingly (because they are ordered to) would be a scab. To be clear though for you, if I had accepted an administration job and still had a CDL, the choice is already made and I would obey the orders of the bosses. What choice would a person have? Obey or be fired? That is no choice. What protection do they have? They have no contract?
Also you did not read the article very carefully. The sentence that upset you reads -
"LTD is counting on scabs, supervisors, and workers
like Ruth Linoz, Will Mueller, Steve Rayack, and Marcia Mafei to scab on us
too."
As you can see the construction of this sentence is an indictment on LTD not the employees or supervisors. If you think that LTD will give Ruth, Will, Steve or Marcia a choice in the question if they attempt to maintain service in a strike then you know nothing of the people for whom you are working. Some of these people will be ordered or may even willingly agree to drive shifts if we go on strike. If they do they will be scabs and forced scabs simply by definition. Do you think it is any secret about who has CDL's among admin employees?
If you choose to work during a strike, Brother Neis, then you will be a scab. The choice is yours. I have not impugned them. You are simply incorrect. Also they are all quite able to speak for themselves. If they need an apology or explanation I will be happy to provide it to them at their request. They are lucky to have friends like you to look out for them even when nothing malicious was extended to them.
I have raised concerns about LTD. I do not trust LTD. I do not trust our bosses or the Board that is leading this organization to what appears more and more like a strike creating strategy.
In Solidarity,
Joe Hill
Response to JH 50
6 comments:
Joe Hill,
You need to know some of my background in the labor movement, only because I yield to no one in that arena.
I was a shop steward in an IBEW local, a shop steward in a Steelworker local and an Executive Officer in ATU 757. I did union organizing for ATU in three states, Oregon,
Washington and Montana. I was a member of the Lane County Labor Council and served on their Executive Council. I have worked on at least 25 political campaigns, doing everything from stuffing envelopes to working phone banks to being a co-chairman of a Governor's state wide run for office. And the criteria for me working on any political campaign was, do they believe in union, civil and human rights.
The reason for this resume' is to inform you that I have seen most everything in the labor movement, and what you said about Marcia, Steve, Ruth and Will was totally uncalled for. You can try to weasel word your way out of it as you did in your response to Bob Neis, but that won't work, not for me anyway. And then you even suggested that Bob may scab.
To anonymously assail someone like Bob, who has the courage to stick up for his friends and beliefs, certainly diminishes you in my mind. If you want to portray yourself as a leader, you must learn to act like one and not recklessly attack people that may disagree with you or a position you take.
Perhaps, you should do as you said you would and stick to the facts and not put your spin on them. I believe you owe Marcia, Ruth, Will, Steve and Bob apologies. And no, they shouldn't have to come to you to ask for it, you should show enough character to extend them on your own.
Hank Perry
Haperry2@aol.com
Hank Perry Wrote:
"and what you said about Marcia, Steve, Ruth and Will was totally uncalled for. You can try to weasel word your way out of it as you did in your response to Bob Neis, but that won't work, not for me anyway."
Joe Hill Responds:
You may judge the writing any way that you wish. As the writer I know what was intended and your vigorous effort to say what it isn't does not change what MY meaning was since they were after all, my words. The last thing that Joe Hill LTD Project writing can be accused of are weasel words. The project doe not mince words. And further more The Joe Hill LTD Project stands by them. All of them.
Hank Perry Wrote:
"To anonymously assail someone like Bob, who has the courage to stick up for his friends and beliefs, certainly diminishes you in my mind."
Joe Hill Responds:
I have responded personally to Brother Neis. I think courage is not what Brother Neis showed. Friendship, solidarity or graciousness but courage? What is the Joe Hill going to do to Brother Neis - firebomb his truck? I did not assail Brother Neis. The definition of assail is
ASSAIL
SYLLABICATION: as·sail
TRANSITIVE VERB: Inflected forms: as·sailed, as·sail·ing, as·sails
1. To attack with or as if with violent blows; assault.
2. To attack verbally, as with ridicule or censure.
I did not do any of these things. You are wrong and over-reacting.
If Brother Neis remains unsatisfied then he may so comment to the BLOG. The BLOG is free for all opinions. But again you, Brother Perry, you misrepresent my words. I raised questions. If you or others are above questioning then you are way insecure. Buck up Brother Perry. These are the days when we must stand face to face and look each other in the eyes and know. Many patriots and people of merit loose faith and questioning is not unpatriotic. But then you must have become more like President Bush...where oh where do I sign the loyalty oath.
Hank Perry Wrote
"If you want to portray yourself as a leader, you must learn to act like one and not recklessly attack people that may disagree with you or a position you take.
Joe Hill Responds
I am not a leader. I do not seek to lead. I seek to inform with my opinion. Disagree, hate it, reject it or just don't read it. It is easy to ignore. But I am not a leader. I don't wish to portray myself as one. I and others write commentary. If anything, the best way to describe the Joe Hill LTD Project is one of observer that formulates opinion and passion. How have any of the words from Joe Hill been reckless? They are opinion and on balance a positive force for good for the Union. And if they are reckless then they are reckless for the good of the union.
Hank Perry Wrote:
"Perhaps, you should do as you said you would and stick to the facts and not put your spin on them. I believe you owe Marcia, Ruth, Will, Steve and Bob apologies. And no, they shouldn't have to come to you to ask for it, you should show enough character to extend them on your own."
Joe Hill Responds
If you believe that a single reply from a single reader will alter the format and method of the Joe Hill LTD Project then you are wrong. In fact your stake in this conflict is one of only emotion. Being retired you enjoy the benefits but none of the risk. This does not take away from your long and righteous service on behalf of the union, but sir, respectfully, you are living in the past. Stick to facts? What facts do you believe are available to we who wait. Even our negotiating team have few facts from LTD. I would rather put my spin on what I know than be force fed the spin from Hamm, Neidig or Pangborn. Haven't you forgotten who the opposition is?
Having not insulted these admin employees I reject your demand that I offer an apology. If any of them are insulted or feel otherwise then I wish to have it explained to me so that if an apology is warranted, it will have meaning and not be a brow beaten offering because a self appointed referee for correctness feels otherwise. Brother Perry, you are in no position to judge my character, but if you think that this personal attack gives you mileage, I and those of the project have broad shoulders.
As always - long live the freedom of unions!
In Solidarity,
Joe Hill
This is the exchange that Brother Neis and the Joe Hill Project exchanged three days ago. Live in solidarity
Joe Hill
>From: Bob Neis
>To: Joe Hill
>Subject: response to your response to me
>Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 15:06:44 -0700
>
>Joe,
>You are right, I misread the sentence. And I don't know who you are as an individual, but as an activist for the 757 members at LTD, you are one of the hardest workers, most diligent researchers for your cause, that I know of. I didn't mean to hurt or rile you up by my "even for you" comment. I do apologize for the comment.
>
>Now, about scabs. The term doesn't bother me. I think it is appropriate to use the term when people cross picket lines and perform the work of strikers. And like you, I wouldn't be surprised if Hamm & Pangborn ask admin. people to drive if we're out. And some will do it. And I'll right there trying to stop them.
>
>Which brings me to my final thought. You said I don't know you. I say you don't know me very well either. I've been a union officer in the past. 10 years, actually. I stepped down when it was time to let others lead. I've been a proud union member since 1976 and will be one till I die, or retire, whichever comes last. Do you remember the 22 month battle with Phyliss? I was right at the table fighting her all the way. I was never prouder to be a union member. You say that not many drivers get to "hob nob". True. But I have my reasons for being bus stop asst. I can list them if you'd like, but not one of them is so I can hob nob. After almost 28 years of herding a bus around Eugene, I look forward to the days when an extra board driver gets O.T. while driving my work.
>
>You alluded to the fact that you didn't know if I would stand with my brothers and sisters during a strike. Was that supposed to hurt? I guess you don't know me either.
>
>In solidarity,
>Bob Neis
>driver
My Dear Brother Neis,
Yes you did rile me. I am sensitive and sometimes rash. It is the passion in me. You are right, I do not know you as well as I should and I prefer to not to make judgements. It was wrong of me to say hob nob or any other characterization of you. I am aware of your valiant and loyal union work. I did know that you were an officer and leader of this union. I remember the 22 months but only as a green horn with a lot to learn from Brothers like you.
Thank you for your kind words. They mean more to me than you know. Also I want you to know that the four admin employees I named, I like them all. I was not impugning them and I feel I did more to impugn you than I did to them, and for this I am sorry. The Joe Hill LTD Project can be impulsive and mean - but it should never be so against a fellow unionist. I erred in your case.
In Solidarity and embarrassment,
Joe Hill
Brother Kennedy you are entitled to your opinion. They are not weasel words -- they are what they are. I own the words, so I get to say what they are most of all. You have sent hate mail to my email box so that I have denied you as you know. The Blog comment is still open to you to spew your dislike of the Joe Hill LTD Project in what is your less than objective way. You know that you are not objective with the four names from admin - especailly with one in particular. I remind you that you are the only one using the word hate even in the face of the Joe Hill's statement that all of the admin employees are good people. You may chose to trust LTD, but Joe Hill does not. Read more closely before you launch your usual and expected attack.
Joe Hill
Art I repeat the construction of the sentence again for your benefit:
"LTD is counting on scabs, supervisors, and workers
like Ruth Linoz, Will Mueller, Steve Rayack, and Marcia Mafei to scab on us
too."
Please note the commas because they are important. Also note the first five words!
Joe Hill
Why is Art Kennedy attacking Joe Hill? Joe Hill explained his point and after having read Bob Neis's response to Joe Hill he seems to agree. Rather than attacking people who are union members NOW and are helping us like Joe Hill, maybe Art Kennedy ought to focus on us workers who pay dues today. Last I heard the office workers are non-union.
Post a Comment