Response to a May 14, 2020 Facebook Post
I was very disappointed to see a Facebook
post made on May 14, 2020 by a candidate who is running in our Local 1620
election. Typically, I would not respond
to this type of campaign literature, but the fact is the post is full of
misinformation which the candidate knows is untrue.
Never before has a candidate stoop
to such fearmongering in an election campaign.
It speaks volumes about this candidate who twists information for his own
purpose and his own agenda. In fact,
this candidate has been in office for the past 4 years, with 49 meetings of the
Executive Board and numerous unit meetings.
Never has this been raised nor have the words “dishonesty” and “backstabbing”
been used in any way, shape, or form.
Why is it only now this candidate is using these terms?
We have rules and process in the IBEW. Under our Constitution, bylaws, and policies,
members can address issues such as dishonesty and backstabbing. Why haven’t this candidate, in his leadership
capacity, done this? If he could not do
this in our structured and protected IBEW environment, how will he address other
issues of Local 1620 and deal with industry and employers, including Newfoundland
Power. He will be easily intimidated, and
unfortunately the other party (the employer) will have the advantage.
The candidate states “ I think it’s time for this Union to get rid of the high
priced lawyers, the high priced consultants, and the politicians………..We need to
make responsible and smart decisions when spending member’s money – and not end
up in a $5.5 million boondoggle (which happened in this term) in Holyrood”.
Local 1620 is a business and as
everyone knows, we are very well positioned financially. In the best interests of our membership, we
have a great ability to afford fair market rates for expertise (lawyers and
consultants). We can finally afford advice,
representation, and protection for our members and their issues. Never before has Local 1620 been able to fight
grievances and take them to arbitration. Never before could we afford to intervene
on Newfoundland Power’s General Rate or challenge Newfoundland Power’s
Essential Employee Application. We are
finally doing what a Union is supposed to do and that is to work as best as we
can for our members. To be realistic, this
would be catastrophic should this candidate take this away from our members. I will not allow that to happen because our
members deserve more.
When I became Business Manager in
2016, I instantly saw big problems with the Holyrood partnership and brought my
concerns to the Executive Board and the membership. Only then did the Executive Board and the
membership make the decision to terminate the Holyrood partnership. Why is the candidate saying it is a “boondoggle”
when he played a part of the decision making? I am fully supportive of the
decision the Executive Board and membership made on the Holyrood partnership termination. To have stayed in the partnership, Local 1620
would be in great financial jeopardy today.
I look forward to you understanding
this misleading information but strongly suggest that putting misleading information
out to our members, to people we do business with, to our employer partners,
and to the public, unfortunately paints a very damaging picture of Local 1620
and the IBEW. This is not responsible
leadership. We all have worked long and hard to get where we are today, and
this should not be tolerated.
Going forward, I fully urge this
candidate and all candidates to run respectful campaigns. Seek support with integrity and campaign on your
own merits, experience, and disclose how you wish to move Local 1620 forward.
Should you need further clarity,
please feel free to contact me directly at 709-325-1620 or dmforbm@gmail.com.
Stay safe and stay positive,
Don