Anonymous left a very astute post (see it quoted below).
He (or she) said:
"I called the Mass Labor Board. Our one-year contracts expire June 30, 2007. So we needed to get 50 percent of our fellow members to sign cards/petitions to get out of NAGE and file them at the Mass Labor Board by January 31st. Since we didn't do that, we couldn't file again until after the contract is signed.
So we need to get another union, collect 50 percent of the cards/signatures and we need to NOT vote if they come out with another crappy deal to shove down our throats. Anyone else in?"
He (or she) is right on the money. This is precisely the problem.
Here's how NAGE will play it when the low ball piece of bleep contract proposal comes out as a result of the SHAM NEGOTIATIONS that are now taking place........
NAGE/Holway, after painting a gloomy a budgetary picture (ever notice how it's ALWAYS terrible for state employees whether its a state revenues feast or famine?), including that perennial threat that "unless you accept a below-the-rate-of-inflation contract, with no retro, witches and goblins be loosed on the world" (you know, the usual threats, you MAY be subject to layoff.... blah, blah, blah....)
NAGE WILL LIE TO YOU about this because if the piece of crap contract, (that they will no doubt put before the members) is REJECTED!, then they will drop back into that very short period of vulnerability when the members actually have a slim chance of voting their greedy behinds out of their uncontested right to steal your dues money (thanks to weak state laws).
HOLWAY is scared to death that enough of you might wake up, and take away the easy money ($250k graft/salary) that he sucks out of your dues.... while giving you no fair representation of YOUR interests in return
Without even seeing it, I can tell you folks to VOTE NO, on the piece of crap contract that will inevitably be put before you.... if nothing else it will send a message to Holway and the Burgin Parkway bandits that their days are numbered.....
Members, we have it be in it for the long haul.... if we're not able to prevail this time, we'll be ready the next time.... these thieving scum must go! ( I call it thievery when they take your dues, vote themselves obscene undeserved salaries, and party- hardy from Cambridge to Vegas, all the while ducking their constitutional duty to hold regular membership meetings to serve YOU ! )
Consider me IN anonymous!.... spread the word members....
..... VOTE NO .... on the insulting contract proposal you'll soon find in your mail box, with no prior opportunity for debate or discussion.....).... stop making it so easy for these cowardly scum to give you the shaft whilst picking your pockets..... you can do better!.... the Legislature has been signaling us that we should get rid of these bums.... voting NO is the 1st step....