SDG: "CTU High-jacked by anti-union forces seeking to infiltrate our membership"

By Joey McDermott

This was quite the weekend for CTU and its high profile admirers. Senator Joe McCarthy smiled with admiration. President Trump tweeted support for CTU's fear mongering conspiracy theories. Tucker Carlson was unusually silent, but he went into hiding this week. The love fest was in response to President Stacy Davis Gates' rambling Friday night email to membership.

Davis Gates' email was full of insults, innuendos and accusations. The target? The usual suspects...CTU's Member's First caucus. This time she responded to their Unfair Labor Practice charge. CTU believes the ULP represents a vast right wing conspiracy for a hostile takeover from within. It was all reminiscent of McCarthy era intolerance, extremism and paranoia.

Ronald Reagan was an actor and union leader prior to being President. He proudly exposed and outed actors suspected of being communists in the 1950's. He testified to Joe McCarthy's House UnAmerican Activities Committee (HUAC) during the 1950's Red Scare. "A small group within our union which has consistently opposed the policy of the board and officers of the union, as evidenced by the vote on various issues. That small clique referred to has been suspected of more or less following the tactics that we associate with the Communist Party."

Reagan's attitude was similar to Davis Gates' attitude today. Compare Reagan's salacious accusations to CTU's statement Friday about its own CTU members in 2023:

• (Members First are) Unhappy with the results of that (2022) election, these members have subsequently sought to undermine the Union’s democratic decision-making.

• The members pursuing this (ULP) charge are coordinating with a right- wing advocacy organization.

• We cannot allow these decision-making processes to be high- jacked by anti-union forces seeking to infiltrate our membership.

SDG's email demonstrates why all employees need resist working on Friday evenings. For one, work/life balance is important. Some European governments restrict employee access to work email. Second, many employees enjoy a Friday afternoon happy hour. Note to CTU officers, don't send emails after happy hour - they are incoherent.

My Gen Z children regularly tell me, "Gimme the remote Grandpa, you take forever." Just like Grandpa's access to the remote is limited, CTU leadership needs to cut off emails after 5:00. Your email rants have too much vinegar and are short on honey. Note to CTU officers, wait until Monday - you will be refreshed and won't write emails entitled, "When Enough Becomes too Much."

Allow me to be serious. CTU leadership is fixated on personal feuds, justified in the name of righteousness. Just as Alexander the Great lamented when there were no more worlds to conquer, CTU has nobody left to vilify. They've spent the past ten years pursuing the mayor's office, they don't know where to pivot. Unfortunately, CTU aimed it's scope at a group of members who earned 25% of the vote in the most recent election.

Stacy Davis Gates could emulate her protégé, Mayor elect Brandon Johnson. Johnson said goodbye to his county board colleagues this week. The Board's only Republican acknowledged they didn’t always agree, but could still work together. “You and I have broken bread together quietly,” Sean Morrison said. “We have talked about issues. I have always been impressed with you to that end.” Imagine a CTU president who was civil towards members with different perspectives! That would be like Obama having a conversation with Trump.

The CTU email began with a bible quote. Final note to CTU leaders, those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. If you want a bible quote, start with James. "Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it."

Just my two cents Ms. President, but please don't write an email responding to this blog. And if you do, don't do it on Friday night.