As courthouses go, the Federal one in San Francisco is quite majestic, black & white photos adorn the marble walls. Here is where over 150,000 healthcare workers throughout California seek long due justice. Here is where the former leaders of SEUI-UHW will start to make themselves accountable for the alleged acts they committed prior to their removal from power.
To proceed, one must understand what this case is and is not about. This case is to answer the following questions. 1) Did the Sal Roseli, John Borsos, NUHW and other defendants sabotage the union by purposely trying to create an “ungovernable situation?” 2) Did the defendants misuse members’ dues money to start a new union while they were still employed by UHW. 3) In laying the groundwork for the new union, did the defendants fail to negotiate contracts and rescind contract extensions, leaving members at risk. 4) Did the defendants betray their fiduciary duties to the union, while they were STILL officers or employed by SEIU-UHW? What this case is NOT about, is a rehash of whether the trusteeship was good or bad, right or wrong. Sal, John and their followers do not get to come to court and try to paint themselves like some kind of “Robin Hood.” This much Judge Alsup made crystal clear.
As I was sitting in the gallery watching Day 1 of case # 2090400 SEIU v Sal Roselli, et al, a few thoughts came to mind. First, this judge is a straight shooter who will take no nonsense from either party. The outcome rests in the verdict of a jury that represents the community quite well. In it are students, bankers, and engineers that range from early 20’s to mid 60’s in age. I have faith that they will decide the outcome based on the merits of the arguments, the evidence, and the application of the law. It’s about the facts, just the facts.
This is very important, the facts and only facts. For far to long there have been nothing but unclear smoke screens and confusion. One of the most important issues is that this is not about damage to union administration or staff, but damage done to the heart and soul of the union, it’s members. I look forward to finally getting the truth of the above stated actions from an unbiased jury. As a member I would ask that you continue to give us just the facts as they happen on a day to day basis in the clear, concise manner presented in your report. Thanks Rudy
I really do hope that Judge Alsup is a no-nonsense type of judge and that the jury is very diverse…we can’t have a jury full of the same type of people that think the same way and feel the same way about specific. We want it to be fair and let the facts speak for themselves! Way to represent Rudy!
SEIU-UHW trustees have expend so much money with their lawyers that they should paid union dues, but yet their workers that are footing the bill are now more than never very vulnerable to the attacks of administrators and into the brink to have the biggest cut backs in the best contract in the healthcare industry. It is such a fear from the trustees to go at all cost to destroy the best democratic-members lead union and the fear to lose thousands of members union dues. But workers know that SEIU-UHW pseudo-leaders actions are wrong, undemocratic and from the darkest anti-union book that there exist. SEIU trusteeship was wrong in the past, is wrong now and will be wrong as long as the pseudo-leaders keep focusing in the new created democratic-led union instead in the workers needs. Thay have wasted millions of dollars in the past year from uniion dues and there is no accountability or check an balance to hold these thives accountable.
My name is Eva Padilla and I work for Tiburcio Vasquez Health Center, Inc. Let me tell you a little bit about my union…the union you speak of, SEIU-UHW. These are the real facts. My union worked night and day to settle a contract when we had gone over a year without a contract because the previous leaders were too busy trying to form their new union that they neglected those people who they were supposed to represent. I guess you are right to say that members dues were spent inappropriately, which sounds like what you are trying to say, if spending my dues on representing my co-workers and I and settling an awesome contract during these terrible economic times is considered a waste of union dues. Not sure what your union has been telling you, but I’m not quite sure you are getting the real story…maybe you should think for yourself rather than believing everything Sal and his people are telling you. Maybe you should also disclose who you are if you really believe in what you are saying and stand by your union…why should you hide if you are so proud of who your union is? I know I am proud of my union and what it stands for and I have no quams about disclosing who I am. Take care and good luck!
My name is Eva Padilla and I work for Tiburcio Vasquez Health Center, Inc. Let me tell you a little bit about my union…the union you speak of, SEIU-UHW. These are the real facts. My union worked night and day to settle a contract when we had gone over a year without a contract because the previous leaders were too busy trying to form their new union that they neglected those people who they were supposed to represent. I guess you are right to say that members dues were spent inappropriately, which sounds like what you are trying to say, if spending my dues on representing my co-workers and I and settling an awesome contract during these terrible economic times is considered a waste of union dues. Not sure what your union has been telling you, but I’m not quite sure you are getting the real story…maybe you should think for yourself rather than believing everything Sal and his people are telling you. Maybe you should also disclose who you are if you really believe in what you are saying and stand by your union…why should you hide if you are so proud of who your union is? I know I am proud of my union and what it stands for and I have no quams about disclosing who I am. Take care and good luck!