To: d. Rivera, Pres. 1199 Union
I have been a member of 1199 Union for 15 years. During this time, I have conscientiously paid my Union dues.in Nov of I was terminated from my job, and sought the help of the Union in order to regain my position.
Since then, in my quest to regain my job I have attended, various meetings (step three and the first appeals hearing); in which papers were used against me as so called evidence which:
1) I had never received or seen before and,
2) other papers which I did see and had wanted to challenge, was at that time told by the Union delegate not to challenge or grieve them because I had not lost any pay
These same unseen and unchallenged papers and allegations are now being used as supposed evidence eviendence against me. My desire is to be prepared when my case goes before the Health Systems Division Hearings and Appeals committee. I want to show that the items used against me are untrue and falsified. These items were secretly introduced into my files and were never shown to me, signed by me, or received by me. Additionally I wish to show to the arbitrator that a biased and different standard of investigation and of what constitutes proof has been used against me. To do this I need strong, effective and knowledgeable expertise and representation!
To my great surprise, the greatest obstacle standing in my way of getting my job back is actually the Union. After paying 15 years worth of Union Dues it seems the union is now attempting to spend as little money as possible and not take this case to arbitration.
The next Health systems Division Hearings and Appeals hearing took over 3 months to set up (Mar. 21) and since then has been postponed three times!
Also during this time, I have had sporadic representation. My original delegate for the step 3 hearing did not show up for the first appeal hearing!
The delegate that did represent me at the first appeal hearing and was supposed to represent me at the Division Hearing backed out and refused to represent me!
The delegate that represented me at the step three hearing stated that he would represent me at the Division Hearing, and then he too backed out and refused to represent me.
This shows the disorganized type of representation that I have been given. The union reps have shown that they do not have the members best interest at heart. This is where the organizer should step in and take over!
This now leaves me with an important Division Hearing coming up and I do not have a UNION DELEGATE to represent me. The organizer claims that she does not have any experience with my field of work. I have also been told that I have to represent and defend myself that its my case to fight. If my delegates and organizers do not know how to represent and defend me at these hearings, how am I expected to know how these hearings work? Especially, how the legalities and bylaws are concerned. I feel that my case has been thrown around like a dirty rag!
I am extremely disappointed that Maria Castaneda has been unable to use her power, influence and input to find a knowledgeable representative to assist me.
I am desperate! I need someone who can help me and effectively represent me.
I have been told that my calls and complaints about the lack of interest in my case and the poor representation that I received from the union have upset certain departments such as yours and Legal. When I have called in the past, I have been treated without empathy, dismissively and arrogantly. I have been refused permission to speak to you many times and have been shunted around without getting help. As you see can see I have run into a brick wall.
I have noted how strongly the Teacher and Police Unions always back each other against managements unfair policies. Mr. Rivera, we should not be fighting with each other; we should be fighting managements underhanded efforts to wrongfully terminate members.
Mr. Rivera, I am requesting a personal meeting with you to resolve my problem.
From:
S.B.
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