Financial irregularities equals bad standing

We have spoken extensively about good standing members, but let’s focus on bad standing members. It might be a reasonable argument by the members who are in bad standing to say ‘that those union bosses who have the union credit cards who have plunged TWU Local 100 into a financial quagmire may or may not pay up - then why should we bring ourselves to good standing by paying up?’. We understand their point of view of tying the bad standing with the current John Samuelsen with his TBOU financial irregularities.

We here in why did you join the union believe everyone must pay up so there is no excuse for anyone - we are either for TWU Local 100 or not. However once we start to implement or create exceptions then that will only give validity to the argument of the members in bad standing. It is so ordered John Samuelsen with his TBOU buddies who were ensnared in financial irregularities as demonstrated by Salibello & Broder LLP report of April 1, 2011 ‘Interim Consulting Report regarding our investigation of certain issues at Transport Workers Union of Greater New York, Local 100 for the period from January 1, 2010 to October 31, 2010 and regarding our investigation of disbursements from the Haiti relief fund for the period from January 1, 2010 to November 5, 2010.’ must pay up as soon as possible - if they believe in the financial well being of TWU Local 100.

It is critical for John Samuelsen to demonstrate clearly that he has paid up, he should do it in a manner that removes any doubt in the minds of the membership who are in bad standing. He should pay up in an open manner not in an opaque fashion. 

We also say to our fellow co workers who are in bad standing, you may have an argument however it is not valid. We also understand that those union bosses who were ensnared in the financial irregularities must pay up as soon as possible. We do not agree with the point of view that it is only money - we say it is more than that it is our brotherhood. The argument that John Samuelsen has taken a lot of money in a short period of time in comparison to theirs of small pennies - we also do agree with that point of view if John Samuelsen with his TBOU takes monies then the membership who are in bad standing are justified in their argument of not paying up.

We are in a critical juncture with all things considered. We here in why did you join the union say whether you were ensnared in financial irregularities or a member in bad standing we say to all pay up with no exception or excuses. We are looking towards the contract of 2012 with weary eyes if we are unable to shore up our lines so we can stand up to our employer. We must be an effective pugilist so we can win wage raises in 2012.