Fate of union in limbo as United Way secretaries await NLRB ruling on vote

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.nj.com/business/expresstimes/index.ssf?/base/business-1/117937475354910.xml&coll=2

Fate of union in limbo as United Way secretaries await NLRB ruling on vote
Thursday, May 17, 2007
By ANTHONY SALAMONE
The Express-Times

Union secretaries with United Way of Greater Lehigh Valley Inc. voted 4-4, with one ballot contested, Wednesday over whether to pull out of their labor group.

The result leaves the issue undecided, but it also leaves a semblance of bitterness for United Steelworkers Local 2599 to which the workers belong.

The rift could spread: United Way relies on union leadership and organized labor to help in its annual fund-raising campaign.

Local 2599 President Jerry Green said he has accepted that the union will be voted out. He said employee Jane Hontz, whose ballot is being contested, occasionally fills the role of management and should be excluded from the union.

Green accused United Way President Susan Gilmore of trying to decertify the union. He also said assuming the union is removed it would be a "slap in the face" to organized labor.

FULL story at link.

[Gman]

1. Years ago I advocated that labor form it's own fund

like the United Way rather than consort with those business people that would eliminate labor given half a chance. Just pull out of the UW, and solicit and push members to donate to labor rather than the UW. It would be great PR for labor and put labor out in front in the community.