THINK ABOUT IT 

      Seventeenth in a series of newsletters by former Local 150 Financial Secretary Ray Connors

 BROTHERS AND SISTERS,

     During the last few months, I have attempted, both in person, and in a series of newsletters on this web site, to reach out to you and truthfully inform you about the important issues that will shape your futures as Operating Engineers.

     In doing this, I have tried to enlighten you about the lies and deceptions that have been occurring within our local and those that have distorted the United Engineers Party’s campaign. I have told you of the complete lack of respect that our current administration has for our retirees, and total disregard it has for those who will not serve the agenda of Bill Dugan. I have discussed the selfish, self-centered actions and behavior that I saw for myself while I was an officer of our local. I have made you aware of the fiscal irresponsibility, unexplained expenditures and huge cost overruns that are funded through sneaky, unfair voting practices. I have shown you that Bill Dugan doesn’t know or even care about what really affects our membership, and wishes to remain President-Business Manager only to feed his ego, maintain his power, and continue collecting his millions by taking from our local.

     I have also told you of the changes that Joe Ward and Team 150 will make to improve our lives as operators and make our local even better and stronger. Real changes; changes that will benefit our apprentices, our active members, and our retirees.

     It is time to pass the leadership of Local 150 on to those who will be full-time officers and work for you each and every day. Those who have the extensive knowledge and diversified experience that is necessary to bring us new and innovative ideas. Those whose complete dedication to our members and whose vision for the future will bring us to a new level of pride and strength. Those who care about all of us, and believe that each of us is entitled to all that Local 150 can offer. Those men are Joe Ward and Team 150.

     I want to remind everyone what a Local 150 election is about. It’s about choosing the candidates that you believe will best take care of you, your jobs, your security, and the futures of you and your families. It’s about choosing the candidates who believe that Local 150 should be about looking after all of our members, not just a chosen few; and that it’s all of us, and all of our members who came before us and those who will come after us, who make us great.

     I have said repeatedly throughout this campaign that if you don’t vote, you don’t count; and each and every one of you does count. Your vote enables you to decide how our local is run. If you don’t vote, you must accept what someone else decides for you. You deserve better than that.

     And, don’t let anyone tell you that they will know how you vote. This is a secret election, you vote in the privacy of your own home. When you return your ballot, election commissioners will know only whether or not you have voted. No one will ever know for whom you vote.

     Remember also, that although this election is vitally important for our future as a local, whatever the result, we must always stand up for, and be proud of, those things that make us who and what we are — Local 150 Operating Engineers. Honor our brotherhood, respect each other, and work together as brothers and sisters for the benefit of us all.

Ray Connors