Happy Saturday, Rabble Rousers!
Much like the last run, we are protesting the conduct of the recent Local 696 election. It is 7 protests this time, instead of 11: While our protests are fewer, they are stronger than they were in March. Many of them are the very same behavior that triggered the overturning of the first election, especially the conduct of Mary Kachline and Fatina El. Both of those two individuals were cited by the AFSCME International Judicial Panel Member Denise Gilmore as the reason for overturning the election, and they have continued their improper conduct in this run of the election.
If, for some reason, you believe that we are simply upset that we have lost, I will direct you to the “official website of AFSCME Local 696”: http://www.sbu696.com/. It’s down, and it has been down since the count came in. Maybe it will return, and maybe it will not. Tony Dinkins and his crew are famous for hiding information from the membership. A confident “Slate for a Better Union” would not hide from their victory. They are scared.
And they’re right to be.
Read our full protests here!
We are, as always, committed to total transparency with all members of Local 696, and even members of Locals 2186 and 2187. We are here to build solidarity, and solidarity cannot exist in the dark behind closed doors on the 9th floor of 3001 Walnut Street.
It will be a little bit before we hear any news regarding the protests, but the conversation will continue without the interference of our supposed leaders. We are receiving reports of sexual harassment in the workplace, wrongful firings, and unfounded accusations of misconduct almost every day. Rest assured, the Rabble Rousers will continue to fight whether or not we are in office. We cannot promise we will always win, but we will not back down from a challenge.
Next Steps
If you have any coworkers who are confused about the election, the protests, and just what-the-hell-is-going-on, I would kindly ask that you direct them to one of us on the Rabble Rousers team. We have our Official Discord here for live text conversations with Rabble Rousers and 696 members, or if you don’t want to install your 12th texting app on your phone (We get it, there are too many apps!) our inbox info@696rabblerousers.com is always open.
Please speak with your coworkers, especially in non-Library offices where we have the least contact. We need all of you to carry on the conversation: an educated, talkative membership is the membership that will win big in union fights.
This has been a very long election. We’ve made significant progress- now it’s more important than ever to keep pushing.
In solidarity,
J. Matthew Catron
Still A Candidate for Business Agent, No Matter What Anyone Says
3 responses to “It Is Protest Day!”
Hold on. At the last union meeting it was shown that you support the KKK and Nazis. And you wanted OUR support? You are reprehensible.
Good morning, and thanks for commenting!
I can understand why you would think that. Truly, I can. It is regrettable that Mr. Davis chose to misrepresent my character so blatantly, but no such thing was shown at the meeting. I will show you the very same image he put on the projector. It depicts a facebook post from 2018 where I commented on a cataloged item in the Free Library of Philadelphia.
You may find the original post here: https://www.facebook.com/J.Matthew.Catron/posts/pfbid09882EUXXXko325dJFskaUdwUiADmRhvoqLna6LQzRg1K6XTtwf9eKUhrCgEfLz6Gl . I have not deleted it or edited it because I am not ashamed of my long history of antifascism.
Mr. Davis used an out-of-focus projector and quick scrolling to obscure the text of this image which clearly denounces the nazi party. He lied to you. In the written report about the meeting, Mr. Davis and the rest of the Election Committee made no mention of these vile insinuations- because they all knew International would never stand for it.
Thank you for taking the time to find us. Really, I appreciate it. It is only through genuine discourse that we can organize our labor union and make it the best it can possibly be.
I am happy to answer any more of your concerns at any time. You can continue to comment here, or you may reach me directly at matt@696rabblerousers.com.
[…] Our protests worked! The July election has been overturned by AFSCME International. […]