Comments on: City “Invalidates” SEIU Petitions http://houblog.com/wp/index.php/2006/158 Random rants from a civil servant in Houston, TX Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:20:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: Houblog » Blog Archive » SEIU Tries Again http://houblog.com/wp/index.php/2006/158#comment-235 Houblog » Blog Archive » SEIU Tries Again Tue, 28 Mar 2006 14:04:32 +0000 http://houblog.com/wp/?p=158#comment-235 [...] They’re really proud of what they did in San Antonio. Apparently it’s their only success to date, since they keep harping on it. So, anyway, since they failed last January, they went out and got some more signatures; enough to be a majority according to the Legal Department’s response. Also note the dig at the AFSCME NOW folks: “SEIU is the ONLY union to file petition signatures with the city to date and the only city employee union with a track record of success. ” Of course, AFSCME NOW disagrees, since both unions are taking credit for holding the line on our healthcare costs. I’m more inclined to believe AFSCME over this one. It’s hard to credit SEIU with being that influential yet, even given their politicking to date. [...] [...] They’re really proud of what they did in San Antonio. Apparently it’s their only success to date, since they keep harping on it. So, anyway, since they failed last January, they went out and got some more signatures; enough to be a majority according to the Legal Department’s response. Also note the dig at the AFSCME NOW folks: “SEIU is the ONLY union to file petition signatures with the city to date and the only city employee union with a track record of success. ” Of course, AFSCME NOW disagrees, since both unions are taking credit for holding the line on our healthcare costs. I’m more inclined to believe AFSCME over this one. It’s hard to credit SEIU with being that influential yet, even given their politicking to date. [...]

]]> By: Houblog » Blog Archive » “Partial Release” http://houblog.com/wp/index.php/2006/158#comment-201 Houblog » Blog Archive » “Partial Release” Mon, 06 Mar 2006 22:15:22 +0000 http://houblog.com/wp/?p=158#comment-201 [...] Over 20,000? How does this fit with 12,588? Do we have 8,000 police and fire department employees? [...] [...] Over 20,000? How does this fit with 12,588? Do we have 8,000 police and fire department employees? [...]

]]> By: ubu http://houblog.com/wp/index.php/2006/158#comment-167 ubu Sat, 18 Feb 2006 19:33:12 +0000 http://houblog.com/wp/?p=158#comment-167 No idea on the AFSCME petitions; in fact I wasn't aware they were circulating any. Was out sick for nearly 3 weeks so I could have missed it. And I agree, SEIU is piggybacking off the AFSCME's work, but it's not entirely accurate to say the SEIU bailed over too much money being spent on politics; it was just that was <i>all</i> it was being spent on. Next to nothing was being spent on recruiting. This meant that the union had only the carrot to reward politicians with, and little or no stick to beat the companies/governments. They both have points, but frankly, I have no desire to see the employees suffer more because they can't get along. And that's what's going to happen. No idea on the AFSCME petitions; in fact I wasn’t aware they were circulating any. Was out sick for nearly 3 weeks so I could have missed it.

And I agree, SEIU is piggybacking off the AFSCME’s work, but it’s not entirely accurate to say the SEIU bailed over too much money being spent on politics; it was just that was all it was being spent on. Next to nothing was being spent on recruiting. This meant that the union had only the carrot to reward politicians with, and little or no stick to beat the companies/governments.

They both have points, but frankly, I have no desire to see the employees suffer more because they can’t get along. And that’s what’s going to happen.

]]> By: freeman http://houblog.com/wp/index.php/2006/158#comment-166 freeman Sat, 18 Feb 2006 17:43:32 +0000 http://houblog.com/wp/?p=158#comment-166 Wootie Sixel's Chronicle article on 2/16/06 reports that AFSCME has 5000+ signatures on their petition in addition to 1000 dues paying members...that ought to be pretty close to a majority. When are they planning to submit their petitions? I also don't like the nasty turn things have taken and I hope both unions will exercise restraint so Hizzoner White doesn't chunk the whole thing out. I've got to concede however, that if I was with AFSCME I'd be real pissed with SEIU. It was AFSCME afterall that worked this meet and confer bill thru the Texas Leg. on behalf of us, only to find SEIU jump in and leech on it. Was SEIU involved in helping pass this bill? Nothing I've read or heard says so. SEIU said they left the AFL-CIO because too much money was being spent on politics, and yet SEIU spent $120,000 on Sue Lovell's campaign. Seems a bit hypocritical to me. What I do know is that us city employees have been sucking hind tit behind Police and Fire employees for way too long. I would like us to have the same rights as them regardless of who can get them for us. Wootie Sixel’s Chronicle article on 2/16/06 reports that AFSCME has 5000+ signatures on their petition in addition to 1000 dues paying members…that ought to be pretty close to a majority. When are they planning to submit their petitions? I also don’t like the nasty turn things have taken and I hope both unions will exercise restraint so Hizzoner White doesn’t chunk the whole thing out. I’ve got to concede however, that if I was with AFSCME I’d be real pissed with SEIU. It was AFSCME afterall that worked this meet and confer bill thru the Texas Leg. on behalf of us, only to find SEIU jump in and leech on it. Was SEIU involved in helping pass this bill? Nothing I’ve read or heard says so.
SEIU said they left the AFL-CIO because too much money was being spent on politics, and yet SEIU spent $120,000 on Sue Lovell’s campaign. Seems a bit hypocritical to me. What I do know is that us city employees have been sucking hind tit behind Police and Fire employees for way too long. I would like us to have the same rights as them regardless of who can get them for us.

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