Sometimes the “Good Guys” Win! (but they need a hand)

At the Association for Union Democracy, we help unionists understand their rights in running for office. So we are gratified when reformers use those rights and actually win! At a meeting sponsored by AUD, "Union Reformers, Meet the Press", we were reminded of these happy occurrences. There were officers from Local 798, IATSE make up artists and hair stylists, who back in 2005, we helped get rid of a corrupt administration. There were officers from ILA Local 333 (tugboats), who we were there for over many years.

There were officers from Flushing Local 294 Letter Carriers, who we advised about their election rights. There were officers from CWA Local 1109 - who as L. 1109 members we helped to rewrite bylaws to make them more democratic and who soon after won office. There were leaders of TWU Local 225, who met with us at AUD last year. We had advised them of their election rights and reviewed their local's bylaws (which contained illegal, undemocratic provisions) -- they won office shortly afterwards.

We say this not to "toot our own horn," but to bring good news to your attention. Most often we hear in the press only about "corrupt union bosses." AUD's publications discuss union democracy issues from both sides, reporting on problem unions and officers but also on those seeking a participatory democracy that fully involves the rank and file. Take the case of the SEIU International. We were pointing out for years the troubling tendency of President Stern towards centralization, bureaucratization and disempowerment of the rank and file. But as reform groups grow throughout the SEIU, we chronicle their efforts, sometimes successful, sometimes not. We have a direct relationship with many of these reformers and our publications can provide the kind of first hand reporting that one can rarely get anywhere else.

So we hope you will continue to support us. If your subscriptions to our Union Democracy Review or the $100 Plus Club News have lapsed, can we count on you to renew?

We are a unique resource in the labor movement and for the American press but we need your support to continue our work. We rely almost completely on supporters like you to fund our organization. So please help us to do our good work and to spread the good word by sending your donation today!