Who are we? We are three graduate students at SUNY Buffalo. Two of us are currently TAs, and one of us is now adjuncting.
Why are we anonymous? In the case of NLRB
v. CWA Local 1104 (520 F.2d 411, 89 LRRM
3028, 3033, fn. 8 (2d Cir. 1975), enf'g 211 NLRB 114 (1978)) a worker was denied membership in the local. The details of the case reveal that the worker in question was probably being singled out for denial of membership because she had become a vocal critic of the union's leadership. Discrimination against members who criticize the union appears to have been the practice. We would rather not find out the hard way that that practice continues in a more covert way. Indeed, after voting against the merger with local 1104 and 1112, Buffalo members were left without representation for two years--it may well be that "leaders" sought to punish members who did not approve of the merger. To protect ourselves and to avoid the question of whether 1104's leaders have in fact continued to discriminate against its critics, we have decided to remain anonymous.
Why don't we run for office? We would rather not run for office for the simple reason that we will be leaving the bargaining unit soon (our funding runs out soon). We are against the use of the union as a way to continue one's funding. We believe that all officers should be TAs or GAs for the majority of their terms in office. It would be the height of hypocrisy for one of us to run for office now.
Is it really true that we are pro-union? Without a doubt. We believe that unions are one of the few protections workers have left. However, we believe that GSEU/CWA 1104 could be a vastly better union with new leadership, a revision of the bylaws, and a more informed membership. Criticizing the poor performance and questionable practices of some of the union's leadership, making important documents public, providing forums for members to speak out, and advocating for change on this site are simply steps in the direction of positive reform.
