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University classified workers need to stand up to DiNicola, support recall
Letter to the Editor
To: University Classified Workers
Have you heard about the SEIU 503 statewide president demanding overtime pay totaling $110,000? His lawsuit seeks an equal amount in damages! Membership dues would pay this money, plus legal fees, should he win.
A recall campaign is underway as we gather 20 percent of members' signatures to hold the president accountable. When signatures are turned in, a statewide membership vote will occur.
Visit the recall information table in the EMU Thursday, Sept. 27, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
In March, President Joe DiNicola requested 2,596 hours of overtime (not pre-approved). DiNicola's annual salary, paid by SEIU members, is already more than $83,000. The all-volunteer Board of Directors hired an independent Washington D.C. law firm which specializes in federal labor law. See the report at:
http://gtff.net/rats/SEIU%20Local%20503%20Overtime%20Inquiry.pdf
In April, the SEIU Board rejected DiNicola's compensation request. The legal opinion was key to the decision by a majority of the Board to deny payment. The report shows that SEIU cannot pay the compensation, based on federal labor law. Moreover, the union is not allowed to pay according to its Constitution and by-laws. Most board members based their decision primarily on their fiduciary responsibility to more than 35,000 dues-paying Oregon workers.
During the recall balloting process, members and DiNicola will have ample opportunity to advocate for or against removing him. Let the members decide in a statewide election. Sign the Recall petition, at:
http://joemustgo.info
James Jacobson
Star Holmberg
UO classified workers
Have you heard about the SEIU 503 statewide president demanding overtime pay totaling $110,000? His lawsuit seeks an equal amount in damages! Membership dues would pay this money, plus legal fees, should he win.
A recall campaign is underway as we gather 20 percent of members' signatures to hold the president accountable. When signatures are turned in, a statewide membership vote will occur.
Visit the recall information table in the EMU Thursday, Sept. 27, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
In March, President Joe DiNicola requested 2,596 hours of overtime (not pre-approved). DiNicola's annual salary, paid by SEIU members, is already more than $83,000. The all-volunteer Board of Directors hired an independent Washington D.C. law firm which specializes in federal labor law. See the report at:
http://gtff.net/rats/SEIU%20Local%20503%20Overtime%20Inquiry.pdf
In April, the SEIU Board rejected DiNicola's compensation request. The legal opinion was key to the decision by a majority of the Board to deny payment. The report shows that SEIU cannot pay the compensation, based on federal labor law. Moreover, the union is not allowed to pay according to its Constitution and by-laws. Most board members based their decision primarily on their fiduciary responsibility to more than 35,000 dues-paying Oregon workers.
During the recall balloting process, members and DiNicola will have ample opportunity to advocate for or against removing him. Let the members decide in a statewide election. Sign the Recall petition, at:
http://joemustgo.info
James Jacobson
Star Holmberg
UO classified workers
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Scott
posted 9/28/07 @ 5:21 PM PST
The report from the DC law firm, as well as many other documents are all available from www.joemustgo.info in our downloads section.
roger
posted 9/29/07 @ 6:16 AM PST
Doesn't his term automatically expire in six months or so? Wouldn't a recall election cost the members a lot of $$$?
Star Holmberg
posted 11/23/07 @ 12:56 PM PST
Sorry that I did not see this question sooner Roger.
As for the cost of the recall, no union resources can be used for the effort. All time and materials are voluntary. (Continued…)
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