My Interpretation of The Trusteeship Hearings

How can SEIU put a local Union into trusteeship?

Article VIII, Section 7(a) of the international Constitution and Bylaws allows the International President, Andy Stern, to appoint a Trustee for the purpose of correcting corruption or financial malpractice, restoring democratic procedures, insuring collective bargaining duties are upheld or to insure that the legitimate objects of the International Union are carried out. In these cases the International President can appoint a Trustee to take control of a local union.

What are the charges in SEIU’s Amended Trusteeship Hearing Notice?

1. The Leadership of UHW-W attempted to move $6 million of Member’s dues money off the UHW-W books for their own purposes, created false records, and misrepresented the real purpose for which the monies were to be used.


2. UHW-W Failed to take action to recover all Funds from the Patient Education Fund.


3. UHW-W Moved another $500,000 to an Attorney’s trust account as part of a continuing effort to move UHW-W funds of the books.


4. The leaders of UHW-W wrongfully converted the International Unions Convention Delegate Database


5. UHW-W has failed to cooperate with the International Union’s audit of UHW-W and the International Union’s assignment of monitors.


6. Leaders of UHW-W are alleged to have retaliated against members who have dissented from UHW-W’s leadership on internal union matters.

What did the Hearing Officer, Ray Marshal, believe the underlying cause was?

Ray Marshal stated on page 101 of his report that the charges in SEIU’s Amended Trusteeship Hearing Notice where just the symptoms of the dispute between the SEIU International Union and UHW. Ray Marshal stated that real problem was UHW’s reluctance to allow 65,000 Long Term Care workers to be removed from UHW.

Did the Hearing Officer recommend putting UHW-W into a trusteeship on the basis of the issues raised in the Amended Trusteeship Hearing Notice?

NO! To quote Ray Marshal: “In view of the foregoing, I recommend that the International Executive Board not establish a trusteeship on the basis of the specific issues raised in the Amended Notice but establish a trusteeship if the UHW refuses to abide by and cooperate with the January 2009 decision of the IEB to have California LTC workers unite into a single local union.”

Did UHW Leaders agree to the Transfer of the Long Term Care Workers as suggested by the Hearing Officer?

Yes, but with one restriction. They requested that SEIU allow long term members to have the opportunity to vote using a voting process consistent with the SEIU Constitution and Bylaws.

So how do you define Democracy?

If you are Andy Stern, then it is the democratic votes of the International Executive Board. They did not allow the actual union members to have a voice in their fate. They decided for them. They unanimously agreed to continue on with imposing a trusteeship without giving the actual members a choice.

This trusteeship was never about money... It was about the fate of workers like you and me. It was deciding if they have any choice on which union local represents them. It was about determining if a local union can disagree with the direction of an International