Good evening, Rabble Rousers!
The folks at the SBU have done me an incredible service, and I am humbled. They have dedicated a massive portion of their front page to me, and have very kindly re-posted my email and blog post, “A Response to Our Opposition“.
Thank you. I don’t know who among the SBU crew is charged with the making of the website, but whoever you are, we are forever indebted to you for helping the Rabble Rousers spread the word about ourselves.
Beneath my words, and one of my favorite photos of myself*, is something of a rebuttal to my rebuttal.
I’m really not interested in a long, drawn-out text discussion where we two sides just repeatedly cite evidence against each other, so I will simply cherry-pick this one point: The 2021 contract raises.
In 2021, a contract negotiated in part by former President Bobby Davis and his Business Agent Anthony Dinkins granted AFSCME District Council 33 workers a 5.5% raise spread out over the life of the three-year contract.
In 2021, inflation was 7%. In 2022, inflation was 6.5%. 2023 is not yet over (obviously), but thus far, inflation is 4%.
The 2021 contract is losing you money every pay period. Bobby and Tony were not able to secure a contract that can compete with inflation, and that’s why you, reader, are struggling with the rent.
Further down the line, the anonymous SBU writer actually does disprove one of my claims: The $50 per-paycheck for healthcare will, in fact, be ending at the end of this year. You should receive this letter in the mail from DC33 shortly:
Executive Board meeting minutes are not circulated to members at this time (something the Rabble Rousers plan to change!). It is very possible that Anthony Dinkins proposed this, and if that is the case, I would like to congratulate you, Tony. This is going to benefit all DC33 workers.
This announcement had not yet come through for anyone when I wrote those words, and I am unashamed to issue a retraction. As a show of good faith to Mr. Dinkins and the rest of the SBU, I will cross out that portion of my rebuttal on the blog.
As for the rest, you may read it yourself- no need for me to repeat what’s already written down. They posted a lot of photos of things happening in other District Councils. I’m thrilled about solidarity between our unions, but I’m not really sure what that has to do with this particular election.
Thank you for reading. Our email list has grown to well over 200 names as of today. Let your coworkers know- no matter who they voted for, they’re invited to join us.
In solidarity,
J. Matthew Catron
Candidate for Business Agent and a pretty good actor according to the SBU
*This photo of me was taken by a friend at Camden Comic-Con 2019. When Camden Comic-Con was still around, it was the best pop culture event on the east coast. I miss it terribly.