10-22-2012, 03:52 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Rob Tucker
Is this how it all got started? This is the piece I was missing.
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Hi Kat,
Yeah this is what pissed off the union and the election office workers... leading to what amounted to a revolt on primary day. It must be described as a conspiracy.
Far as I'm concerned these blue flue workers and the ones who threw wrenches into the machinery are just as culpable as the county clerk is for the problems and should not be exempt from penalty.
It may well be that Kawauchi should get fired but it would also be clear that some criminal conspiracy charges against some of the staff are in order.... and I suspect that there might be a few unsung heroes who will get retaliation if the old crew gets back in charge.
This may not end for a couple years.
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And you know what Rob, all of that may be 100% true.
And it hopefully will come out in either the lawsuits or an as yet to be really decided type of investigation.
Or, it may go nowhere and just end. This is Hilo afterall.
But one thing is for certain. If any person, such as our Clerk, a degreed lawyer at that, walked into a room with several (as we call it in my Company) 800 pound gorillas in a room, you say, "excuse me, I will be right back." And then you come back with your 1,000 pound gorillas and the dispute gets settled right there. You don’t just let the 800 pound gorilla beat you up. And a degreed lawyer - ESPECIALLY should have known what to and how to do it.
But to not say anything or ask anyone for help – begs the one biggest unknown question? Why?
If Union busting is or was the goal, it is not accomplished in this manner. Either you are a Union Employer, or you are not. You live by the rules, or in this case, possibly die by those same rules. You unfortunately as hard as one may try, but you can’t be half pregnant!
I have never once said the 4 workers were innocent. I have, and will question the judgment in terminating long term employees with what appear to be stellar employment files over what can be described as trivial matters. Inclusive of the alleged sign printing business.
Further, and one of my biggest issues with both the Clerk and the Chairman was not one single real definable plan as to what to do once the workers were terminated. And it just went to hell in a hand basket thereafter.
In my world, this smacks at the saying "fly by the seat of your pants."
If there are alleged union wrongdoings – expose it – investigate it – call in the Feds if need be. Front page of HTH & WHT – or even BIC – take your pick! Don’t hide behind “no comment,” refusal to return calls and generally ignore the public as well as the press. Any press.
So what do you think might happen if all this alleged union wrongdoing gets exposed? Murder? Cars being blown up?
Or do we live in fear that the devil we know is much better than the devil we don’t know?