TakeBackOurLocal.org

***URGENT MESSAGE TO OUR SUPPORTERS***

RIVERFRONT PRISON & 5 DEVELOPMENTAL CENTERS TO CLOSE

CONVENTION DELEGATES VOTE TO CHANGE THE RULES!

Imagine..it's Superbowl Sunday and the game is seconds away from ending. The NFC is ahead by 3 points, but the AFC has the ball and is within field goal range which could tie the game and force it into overtime. A time out is called and after the AFC confers with the referees, an announcement is made that the field goal, if successful, is now worth 4 points instead of the usual 3 points. The kick is made, the ball sails through the uprighs and the AFC declared the winner.
Fair??? Who cares.

Sorry for the football analogy, but that is exactly what happened at the Local 1040 Convention on October 7, 2008 when a by-law change that was placed on the agenda AFTER the 60 day deadline and was voted on and passed by a simple majority (more than 50%), but not subjected to the required 2/3rds majority rule.

In essence, the by-law change was made to eliminate the ability of someone who is running for a branch office to also run for a Local office. The CWA Constitution allows it, and the Local by-laws used to allow it, until this miscarriage of justice occurred and was made retroactive to Tom's running. Since the Local President is the one who calls for the branch elections, she can now schedule those elections to suit her own needs to eliminate viable branch officers from running for Local office.

Let's be clear, the by-laws and the CWA Constitution NEVER allowed a person to HOLD both a Local and a Branch office at the same time, but just like Senator Leiberman did in 2000 and Senator Joe Biden did in 2008, someone could RUN for both offices. This essentially made sure that the the branch membership did not suffer the loss of their preferred branch representative if that person did attempt to run for a Local office but lost.

This by-law change had the effect of eliminating Tom's right to appeal the elections. The matter was sent to the District VP Chris Shelton who refused to even acknowledge the by-law appeal sent in by Tom. The matter has since been referred elsewhere. If this is left as it is, the delegates will have accomplished what terrorists and fascists were unable to do in America despite decades of trying.... specifically, the unraveling of the very fabric of our democracy!

UNION DEMOCRACY DIES... THOUSANDS MORN LOSS!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TOM MAKES HISTORY
Click the link above for the archived article.

========================================================================

IN TOM’S OWN WORDS

Click the link above for the archived article.

I am both honored and humbled by your confidence in me for this important task. The road ahead will not be easy. There will be attempts to discredit this movement, and me personally... some attempts have already been made. Hopefully, the lessons of history will dull the effects of these desperate acts of a scared leadership, but hope alone will not do it. We must stay vigilant so that the truth can overcome any lies or distortions of the truth that may erupt.

Already, through the help of many of you, I have been receiving the mailings coming from the Local to all of you. For some "mysterious" reason, my mailings suddenly have stopped since my announcement to run. Even my Executive Board meeting notice never arrived to my house. For over 25 years, I've never had a problem getting my mail from the Local. Now, after my announcement to run, I suddenly get nothing. Coincidence??? Maybe, but in my opinion, doubtful! At the same time, my mailings TO the Local, such as my monthly reports, are claimed to have not arrived at the Local. Again, only since my departure from the Local and my announcement to run against Carolyn Wade has this become a problem. Greater scrutiny of my financial reports (which is a welcome thing if done to EVERYONE'S) is another recent development.

But we can survive these desperate actions spawned from insecurity. Your vigilance and constant communication with me has thwarted these efforts already. It's time for us to dig in and forge ahead. Together, we can right the wrongs and fix our Local. My intent has always been to run a clean campaign... as long as my opponent allows it. Let's pray that my intentions are shared by her.

This site will be updated as often as is needed to address any issues that may arise in the course of the campaign.

Tom is also politically savvy:

Tom talks with Congressman Patrick Kennedy about our members' issues.

Speaker of the New Mexico House asks for advice:

Privatization has no friends. Watch for low-balled bids.

The Joint Budget Oversight Committee Hearing

Tom analyzes the state's budget and testifies on it annually.

Tom's expertise in mental health issues earned him an invitation to submit his position papers, manuscripts and testimony to the White House Mental Health Summit in June of 2000.

Time and again, Tom has demonstrated his committment to the members of Local 1040. He is a proven leader who is in touch with the members and their concerns, not just during elections, but always!

Committee for Change