Live it up Local 9510 Officers! You have successfully beached the 'Drakester' but, the 'Drakester' will be back before long!
[Thats what the "Drakester" thought anyway. The "Drakester" should have known better. They figured out a way (because he appealed the decision) to keep him suspended beyond the open period of nominations in 1999 so he would not be eligible to run.]

The "Drakester" did run his slate of officers from the GT Unit and all three (3) won. They are:
Ross Atkinson, Vice-President (GT Unit)
Virginia McCall, Executive Board (GT Unit)
Brad Wiley, Executive Board (GT Unit)

The Decision of the "Kangaroos" is Below!

COMMUNICATIONS WORKERS of AMERICA

October 26, 1998

Mike Drake
1122 West Alton
Santa Ana, Ca. 92707

Dear Mike:

Regarding the charges filed against you by Nita Moreno, President, John Natoli, Secretary-Treasurer and Paul Fitton, Executive Vice President, the trial court panel has determined the following:

1. That you do not recognize the jurisdiction of OPElU employees of Local 9510, over certain work. This is a contractual obligation of Local 9510. The Trial Panel has found you guilty of this charge. The right of free speech and or your responsibility as an officer of the Local is not impaired if you use OPElU labor for the typing of official correspondence of the Local.

2.That you failed to follow the directions of the Executive Board and the members of Local 9510. Both the Executive Board of the Local and the members voted at duly authorized meetings and instructed you to use the Local's employees for the purpose of corresponding with the members of the Local. This you have failed to do. The trial panel has found you to be guilty.

In considering the charges against you, the trial panel has recognized your right of free speech. We do not believe that your rights extend to the unauthorized use of the Union's assets. These assets include, but are not limited to, logos, trade marks, letterheads, mailing lists, copying machines, computers, printers, web site, paper and postage. You are reminded that the Local can require that any use of its assets first be authorized before they are used.

The trial panel has determined that your good standing be suspended for a period of six months. However, this penalty is suspended provided that you agree to honor the contractual agreement between OPEIU and the Local. And, that you will follow the direction of the Local's Executive Board and the members of the Local regarding the use of its assets. If you do not agree, or if you continue to make unauthorized use of the Local's assets, then the sentence should be imposed without further delay.

If you disagree with the findings of the trial panel, you may appeal to the Executive Board of the union. We refer you to the CWA Constitution for the proper method of appeal.

Copies to:

M. Bahr
B. Easterling
T. Bixler
H. Walsh
M. Moreno

If you are a rank and file member and are curious as to what this exercise in "Democracy Dementia" (some call it a 'dog and pony show') cost, you can click the door to see. In all fairness...something unheard of in these proceedings...the estimates are mine!