Union Thinks Union Is Anti-Union
We’re having financial problems.
We’re running a deficit.
It’s unfortunate we had to lay off people, but it was necessary.
Teachers’ unions across the country are complaining about hearing the above statements, but in St. Louis, the teachers’ union is spouting the same lines to its own employees.
The people who work for the St. Louis Teachers Union (AFT Local 420) are represented by the Local 13 of the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) and they claim union management is being unfair.
“Your decision to under-staff your office is a serious disservice to your membership. Also, your lack of cooperation and unwillingness to work to find an alternative to these layoffs is abysmal,” wrote OPEIU president Katie Fenlon to teacher union president Mary Armstrong.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Bill McClellan found the situation amusing, but even more amusing was this reader comment about his editorial:
As a member of Local 420, I have to say that Mr. McClellan needs to see the reps of local 13 in action. They are accusatory, and quite into personal attacks. Apparently, they also choose to supress some of the pertinant information they have been given with regard to the union financial situation. They were given copies of the audit just done by an outside firm which plainly shows that the money for these employees is just not there at this point in time. These same auditors also advised that the lay-off was necessary for Lcoal 420 to get back in good financial straits. I am privy to information concerning the group that made the decision to reject the Local 13 proposal, and believe me it was not an easy decision. The la-off of employees is not taken lightly. Also, let it be known that these same employees have been aware of this possibility for quite some time. Yes Local 420 had to make a tough decision, but this is not the only sacrifice that has had to be made. Please try to be fair and impartial in your comments in future and be sure that you have all the facts.
