Desperate Acts of Cronyism and Retaliation in the Face of Progress

A Member's Public Comments at February 12, 2020 Board of Governors Meeting

Good Evening,

I’m speaking to express disappointment in the recent actions of the Board. As you know, Ari Briski of Unit Council 19 put forward two nominations for the MOU 19 Board of Governor vacancy. The nominations were ignored and instead, in an undemocratic fashion, the Board moved forward to appoint another LA Sanitation governor to fill the spot. I want to make it clear that I have nothing against the appointee, Mr. Patel. I am speaking on this to highlight the lack or procedural integrity in this appointment.

I would like to now read the definition of cronyism: the appointment of friends and associates to positions of authority, without proper regard to their qualifications.

For another definition, cronyism is the practice of partiality in awarding jobs and other advantages to friends or trusted colleagues

The appearance of cronyism is furthering distrust among the rank and file members who are here today. Unit Council 19 member Dave Somers has made a strong case for expanding departmental representation on the Board. We had a nomination for two candidates who represent Departments with a large amount of MOU 19 membership, i.e. City Planning and the Department of Transportation, yet the Board chose to move to appoint yet another LASAN member. I believe that the Board owes the membership an explanation to the appearance of cronyism and why no response was given to Dave and Eric, union members in good standing at EAA.

This brings me to another point. In a previous BOG meeting, a representative from IBEW warned the Board and the Executive Director that their actions create the appearance of retaliation. This was in regard to the Board raising the question of the legitimacy of Governor Lisa Barr’s winning her seat as governor due to the interpretation of certain election rules. Prior to becoming Governor, Lisa Barr had submitted charges involving certain EAA Board governors. The IBEW representative kindly asked the Board to discontinue the discussion due to its retaliatory nature.

Now, Board member Kayajian has submitted Charges against Governor Lisa Barr, Steward and Unit Council Member Serene Chen Peng and Steward Michiko Murakami.

Please take heed of the definition of retaliate: to return like for like especially : to get revenge.

As Governor Barr submitted the charges, and Serene and Michiko submitted recall petitions, this is clearly another act of retaliation by the Board. Now we have Kayajian submitting Charges, a like for like move against Lisa, Serene and Michiko.

EAA has now moved from an instance of retaliation to a pattern of retaliation and now I ask the Board to cease retaliating against its members. Take note, Governor Barr received 352 votes from the membership in support of her bid for At-Large Board of Governor. Serene and Michiko were simply representing the desire of the membership in submitting the recall petitions, which were signed by more than 400 dues paying members. In submitting charges or petitions, these members were exercising free speech. We are here to stand with Governor Barr, Steward Murakami and Councilmember Chen-Pang against these ludicrous and retaliatory charges.

I and many in the room today are also disturbed at the apparent pattern of EAA leadership silencing women’s voices, as all of the people you are calling out are women and you who have been leading the charge against these women are men.

I ask that you take into consideration what I have just highlighted, the appearance of cronyism, the retaliation, and discrimination--the pattern of your shutting down women’s voices, and the attempt to shut out Lorraine Lundquist from speaking at the PAC meeting. These are some of the charges that you have lodged against our fellow rank and file members, which amounts to pure hypocrisy. I urge you to STOP your detrimental actions to our rank and file membership of EAA.

Unit Council 21 Member and Union Steward

Alissa Gordon