AP Exclusive: Union members appointed after $10,000 donation

Two members of an elevator installers union were appointed to a new state elevator-safety board about the time their local gave a $10,000 campaign contribution to Gov.

[Stenee]

It is about time they caught up with local 2 officers. The deeper you look the more you will find

[Stewdog]

They forgot to mention the additional REVENUE this created by the formation of this board !
Who endorsed this political contribution, The MEMBERS didn't !! Who signed this check ?
Why doesn't Frank comply with a DOL supenas ? Why doesn't Frank produce his W-2's ??

[white hot nuclear rage]

How much do you have to pay the governor to get your child back from DCF$. Parents need to know.

[Big Al]

Who care who authorized the check, the check went for a good cause, to help the Union secure jobs for you and me. Everything must be legitimate because the International fully exonerated the Officers of Local 2. If the Officers were guilt of malfeasence do you really believe that a good man like Dana Brigham would cover up for them? I don't think so! So the officers have to be innocent of what the news media is saying. If I were Frank Christensen I would sue Channel 2 News for putting that story on the air. Think about it, why would a good honest officer like Frank Christensen have to do with Rezko? He doesn't!! Stewdog you should go in and talk to Frank, his door is always open. Just walk right in and step right up and treat Frank like a man instead of the villan you try portray. Remember whem you spew horsecrap all you get are flies and maggots.

[Stewdog]

I know Frank !! His door is closed to people that disagree with him !! I treat people as they treat me,let's be perfectly clear on that! I did try, more than you know. He knows what he has to do !!! Ditto, my door is always willing to listen !!!!!!!!!
Question is will he ? Last chance Frank !

As far as Dana Brigham is concerned, the buck stops with him. He is the one that sets the tone of either BROTHERHOOD or DIVISION? Time will tell if he is what you say. If not you know who to blame and why? BUT DON'T BLAME PEOPLE FOR STANDING UP TO PROTECT THERE BASIC RIGHTS !! For example like "Your Right To Dissent" is a basic union right. If you dissent & are thrown out of the union for dissenting that is WRONG ! That is so UNDEMOCRATIC on so many levels. I understand it is done ot keep the masses in line, but I most adamantly disagree, there are other means to keep people in line.
Unify or divide, your choice.

[Big Al]

This Union is totally democratic, you get to vote every three years and Frank Christensen and his slate keep on winning. The reason why is because a majority of the members feel he is doing the job, if not he would be voted out of office. If you feel this strong against the policies of Frank Christensen, then run against him or go to the floor at a union meeting and address the issues. Our Union is as strong as its weakest link and you appear to be that.

To show what a stand up man Frank Christensen is, a educational director tried to move a some applicants for our apprenticeship program up on the hiring list and Frank would not allow him to that and made the educational director resign and that guy was a friend of Frank Christensen. One thing I will say to my grave, is Frank Christensen sole mission in life is for the betterment of Local 2 and its members. Frank never looks for personal glory or self-gratification, all he thinks about is how he is going to help the Members of Local 2 and that includes the misinformed people who are against him. He told me the other day, I don't want to fight, I want to heal and my mission for 2008 is to bring this Union together, sit down with the members who have problems with me and my policies and see what I can do to help them in anyway I can and I believe his sincerity. I compare Frank Christensen to a modern day Gandhi trying to heal a fractured Union, much like Gandhi tried to heal the a nation.

Frank has been trying for 6 1/2 years to get the corruption out of Local 2 and has succeeded including ousting a group of former officers includeing some that were his friends, it must have been very difficult on Frank. The current group of officers are the most dedicated people we ever had. Terry Shanklin works full time, serves on the JAC, is a teach and Chairman of the Executive Board, that is what I call dedication not only to our Union but our trade as well. I never saw a man more concerned for the future of our trade and the young people in it. Our President is just a wonderful, dedicated man who spends countless hours of his own time on this Union and its Members. Look at the Golf Outing he heads up and all the wonderful prizes he gets the vendors to donate at no cost to the Union, so our Members can have a great time and what does he get out of it, nothing but the satisfaction of the smiles that it brings to our Members.

[Stewdog]

Wow Big Al my favorite TV show was Spin City too! You must be living in Bizzarro World !! You have been appointed the campain manager right ! Have you been living under a rock ? So according to Frank only certain members get to work ? Wow Al you are a funny guy. Local 2 has been compared to the Soprano's, not that they are affiliated with organized crime or anything but the structure is similar.
Terry was voted off the island, then he is not only appointed back, but appointed as chairman?
The membership voted down dues increase,then they raise the dues anyway. Where is the voice of the membership?????? There is none, only what Frank wants !! That is not a DEMOCRACY !!!!

[Stewdog]

Big Al To fully understand the WHOLE MEMBERSHIP you must walk a mile in there shoes! This is not possible due to the fact that only select few are given jobs! When these select few are unemployed they are employed the next day! That is just the tip of the iceberg!
There weapon is "Hoover Tactics" !

[Big Al]

Yes Michael J. Fox was very funny in Spin City. I spoke with Frank Christensen on many occasions he told me time after time that his one goal in life is to find employment for all members of Local 2. He even has the Financial Day Secretary call or email the other locals looking for employment oppertunities for our members. He even has the Financial Day Secretary send out email to the unemployed members of job oppertunities. Frank told me the most satisfaction he gets from his job is when an unemployed member goes back to work.

One thing I will say is that Terry Shanlin, true elder statesman is not only a credit to our Union but to the industry as a whole. He works full time at McCormick Place, is Chairman of the Executive Board, serves on the JAC and is a teacher to boot, I don't know how he finds the time. He is the hardest working man in Local 2. I have never met a man who is so interested in our members, our trade and fostering nuturing out you people in theis trade. Yes Tom Manning did beat Terry in the election and Terry was content to return to the simple life of working in the trade. After 1 month without Terry a full time officer offered to resign so Terry could come back. Terry refused because he said the membership has spoken and I always abide by their wishes. In April 2006 Brian Moore the Vice President resign to take a superitendents position at ACM and Charlie O'Connel the Chairman of the Executive Board needed to step down because of family obligations.

Frank Christensen with the wisdom of Solomon came up with the solution. Terry to serve on the Executive Board and Charlie O'Connell would be the Vice President a less time consuming position. Terry was prssured and agreed to be on the Executive Board with the provision that he would donate his Officers Allowance back to the Local. As Terry Stated, service the members of Local 2 was all the reward he needed.

[Big Al]

I spoke to Frank on the Dues Raise and he told me that the International ordered the multiplier to be raised or they would take over the Local because the Local would be violating the International Constitution and By Laws by charging its members too little dues.

Frank argued with Dana Brigham that he did not want to bring undue hardship on the members. Frank was told if he did not follow the International Directive theie would not be any Local 2. Frank was forced to relent, he could not see the Local disappear so the dues increase had to occur. Frank then came up with one of his brilliant plans and gave a 10% discount of the dues back to the members if they attended just 1 Union Meeting in a quarter, a true win - win situation.

[Big Al]

REMEMBER NOVEMBER 1, 2008 - VOTE FOR LEADERSHIP, VOTE FOR FRAN CHRISTENSEN

[Stewdog]

So your telling the mebership that the dues increase was forced by Dana Brigham ? Can I get a signed affidavit to that effect? I don't care how you spin it Some body is NOT telling the TRUTH !
The fair & open IUEC will prove this out ? I sincerely doubt this !! There (IUEC)only objective is to enable/enhance/empower there patronage machine that is only a benefit to a select few and not the whole membership as a whole (aka QUID PRO QUO)! Members that have an opposing opinion are shown the door after years of paying dues! Threatening livlihoods is not a way to keep membership in line! Does Dana Brigham endorse this tactic? Why is IUEC being audited? Does this raise any Red Flags ?

[Big Al]

Stewdog (BS) if you were you will learn to tell the truth about our Union and our great Officers. You should tell your friend(TLD)the same thing. We know that (TLD) has spoken to Officer Rat today, we have monitors. Everyone is on to you and where you travel on the internet I will be able to follow. The truth shall set you free for once tell the truth.

[Big Al]

Mr. TLD Did you have a conversation about what was posted here with Officer Rat? Did Officer Rat say don't worry something big will happen before the next Union meeting? Remember we know and hear everything.

[Stewdog]

Hey rubber stamp BOY . Why didn't Local 2 in chicago answer a subpeona that was served over a year ago ????? Why are you hiding ???

[Big Al]

There is no subpoena i think you need professional help and you should seek it today

[Stewdog]

There is a subpoena dated April 24, 2007 signed by Mary Kebisek District Director, Office of Labor-Management Standards, United States Department of Labor.

Who needs professional help? The truth hurts I feel your pain, but it doesn't change the facts.

Why didn't the International Union of Elevator Constructors comply with said subpeona that was served over a year ago ?????

Calling the United States Department of Labor a "Paper Tiger" is not a good thing to do!!!!!!
Who needs professional help? You don't hear me calling ANYBODY a "Paper Tiger".

I guess the union bosses at the International Union of Elevator Constructors don't take there "Fiduciary DUTY" seriously, just there pay checks !!!!!!!!!! For general president dana brigham to let his officers purposly mislead the membership says a whole lot of his "Lack of Leadership"!!

[Sahim2]

If these people are so wonderful, there would nothing to "rat out" would there?

Waldo wrote:

I echo your sentiment, if it weren't for Frank Christensen this Union would not be where it is today. I here people like Stewdog say the DOL is coming and there will be indictments. Well Stewdog where are these indictments you speak of? The DOL will never do anything because they are a paper tiger. This Rezko thing is another piece of garbage too. What will happen, nothing. Because the Federal Government is useless on on November 1, 2008 Frank Christensen will be reelected at Business Manage for another 3 glorious years unless he called away by a higher power to serve in our International. Stewdog you are jealous of his matural born leadership skills, myself I just admire the man greatly.

[Stewdog]

The international union of elevator constuctors has no Leadership to speak of.

Why have they not answered a subpeona ?

Paper Tiger,yeah OK.

Just like blago, he thinks he is above the LAW !

[John Q Public]

All unions inhale air sharply. They exist for the hierarchy only.