Not much has been going on for the last several days.

I have received a lot of favorable comments from many rank and file unionists. Many of them are fighting the same kind of battle that I face now. The Unions have decided to try to shut us all up, that much is becoming obvious.

Included on the blog today is a reprint from the GANGBOX rank and file discussion group. They have really picked up my plight and I have learned some valuable tips that should help in this fight.

From the Gangbox:

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Msg #
From: "theinfamousvinniegangbox"
Date: Sat Jul 12, 2003 3:18 pm
Subject: Re: Fwd: Seafarer needs help in fighting a S.L.A.P.P. suit files by the SIU

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David,

The reason that I advised the brother to get a lawyer IN THIS CASE
was because he's being sued by a union, the Seafarers Int'l Union,
that has some of the best lawyers the members dues money can buy.

In other words, he needs major backup.

However, I do agree with you about labor lawyers in general, and AUD
lawyers in particular. And I would further advise that we should not
have illusions about the corporate ruler's law courts being a place
where we can solve our problems with the union bosses..that's not
realistic, we're better off if we build an opposition from below.

Bottom line, taking unions to court is, generally speaking, not a
good idea..you probably won't win, they probably will...but, if they
take you to court, come with a lawyer, for your own protection.

GREG

--- In gangbox@yahoogroups.com, "david johnson" wrote:
> So if I understand this correctly, there are some decent Labor
attorneys out there. I am glad to hear it !
> My experience has been that that attorneys ( even those connected
via AUD ) led rank and filers out on limbs and NOT provided back-up
like they implied.
> Sure its difficult to do per se legal work, but when faced with an
alternative of some lawyer who promises you the sun, moon and stars,
takes your money, and does nothing for you, then the per se option is
another form of direct action.
> A Carpenter in upstate New York named John Newell ( you know him
Greg ) can enlighten you on his experiences with AUD lawyers.
> I hope I am wrong and that there is hope among the legal
profession. not just for our benefit, but also for their own souls.
>
> David Johnson
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Carl Bishop
> To: gangbox@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Friday, July 11, 2003 6:46 PM
> Subject: Re: [gangbox] Re: Fwd: Seafarer needs help in fighting a
S.L.A.P.P. suit files by the SIU
>
>
> Vinnie I read your message to Brother David and my comments
regarding your info .
>
> I'm a union Ironworker in Atlanta Ga . and was charged by my local
387 for slandering an officer and violating my oath as a union member
and fined 10,000 smackers .
> This was all because I ask to see records of cell phone use by our
BM .
> I hired Arthur Fox who in my opinion is one of the best union labor
Attorney's in the country , he is located in DC .After hiring Mr.
Fox my fine and charges were dropped because of being protected
under the LMRDA freedom of speech issues .
> We have also filed a federal law suit in DC to remove the articles
from the Ironworkers constitution inwhich I was charged under , we
fill they violate members freedom of speech .
> Mr. Fox has already won a suit in federal court in DC regarding the
plumbers constitution . A federal judge forced the plumbers to remove
the wording in there const that was illegally violating members
rights under the LMRDA.
>
> 202-371-6626 Arthur Fox pro union an a board member of Association
for Union Democracy in Brooklyn NY
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: theinfamousvinniegangbox
> To: gangbox@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Friday, July 11, 2003 5:28 PM
> Subject: [gangbox] Re: Fwd: Seafarer needs help in fighting a
S.L.A.P.P. suit files by the SIU
>
>
> Brother David,
>
> Well...irregardless of what the law says, this brother is getting
> sued. We all know that the law works differently for workers than
it
> does for the wealthy...including wealthy union bosses.
>
> In particular, due to the longstanding alleged < cosa nostra >
ties
> of the Seafarers International Union, they have very very very
good
> legal representation...
>
> As for going pro se (that's Latin, it means representing yourself
in
> court)...that's kinda hard to do..and it's dumb easy to lose a
case
> if you are representing yourself...or, as the lawyers say, "a man
who
> represents himself has a fool for a client".
>
> As for legal councel, I'd recommend the brother try Arthur
Schwartz 1
> (212) 358-1500, Nathaniel Smith 1(212) 227-7062 or Ron Kuby (I
don't
> have a number for him, but he's in the Manhattan phonebook).
It's
> worth a shot.
>
> GREG BUTLER
>
> --- In gangbox@yahoogroups.com, "david johnson"
wrote:
> > This is bullshit !
> >
> > Union members have a right under federal Labor law ( LMRDA ) to
> ABSOLUTE free speech in regards to union officials. The LMRDA
> specifically states that even if a statement by a rank and file
> member ISN'T true, that union officials have to PROVE that said
rank
> and filer KNEW the information was false and stated the info with
an
> attempt to slander ( or libel ).
> >
> > I personally wouldn't waste any money on an attorney with
something
> like this. You should do the legal research and represent
yourself.
> There are very few good attorneys in general and even fewer good
> labor attorneys who are competent and are willing to represent a
rank
> and filer.
> >
> > David Johnson
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: The Infamous Vinnie Gangbox

> > To: gangbox@yahoogroups.com
> > Date: Friday, July 11, 2003 8:41 AM
> > Subject: [gangbox] Fwd: Seafarer needs help in fighting a
> S.L.A.P.P. suit files by the SIU
> >
> >
> >
> > --- Robert Swanson wrote:
> > > From: "Robert Swanson"
> > > To:
> > > Subject: Seafarer needs help in fighting a S.L.A.P.P. suit
files
> by
> > > the SIU
> > > Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2003 08:25:05 -0500
> > >
> > > My former Union, the Seafarers International Union, has
> initiated
> > > a
> > > S.L.A.P.P suit to try to shut up the voice of the rank and
file
> > > members of
> > > the SIU. Other groups can expect more of these kind of
actions
> if
> > > this
> > > one is sucessful, and unless I can raise enough money to get
> legal
> > > representation I will not be able to prevail in this
action. Of
> > > course,
> > > if anyone knows a lawyer who would represent me Pro Bono, I
> would
> > > love to
> > > hear from them. My efforts at finding a lawyer have been
> > > unsuccessful.
> > >
> > > This action is a disgrace to Organized Labor and is intended
to
> shut
> > > us up.
> > >
> > > You can read more about this matter at:
> > >
> > > http://www.gmtel.net/web/seajustice , I have also started
a
> BLOG
> > > to keep
> > > a daily log which others can read at:
> > >
> > > http://seafarersrankandfile.typepad.com/seajustice
> > >
> > > Whatever you can do to publish this action more widely is
> > > appreciated.
> > > Feel free to use any information you find on either the web
page.
> > >
> > > Thank You
> > >
> > > Robert Swanson
> > > Seamen's Justice Center
> > >
> > > PS Feel free to post this to your Newsletter. This is
going
> to be
> > > a
> > > trend if the Seafarers are sucessful in this action and they
will
> be
> > > unless
> > > I can find legal representation to help me fight them.
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
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> >
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> >
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> >
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> >
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