We have long sounded the alarm over big labor’s attempts to broaden their national power at the expense of worker’s rights, especially Card Check legislation that would essentially outlaw secret ballot elections when unions try to recruit new members. 

But a recent news story shows that some unions don’t like democracy for their existing members either. 

Sal Rosselli was a top official in the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).  According to the Chicago Tribune, Rosselli was a "leader of a 150,000-member local in California, and until recently head of the 600,000-member SEIU California State Council … He also belonged to SEIU’s executive committee[.]"

That was until he noticed the autocratic tendencies of his fellow union brass.  In a scathing resignation letter, Rosselli complained that "top SEIU officials have sidestepped local union leaders to make critical decisions and have merged locals without giving members a voice."

Rosselli wrote:

"Over the past two years, a stark difference has evolved between SEIU's projected image and its real world practices. An overly zealous focus on growth - growth at any cost, apparently - has eclipsed SEIU's commitment to its members. … the deterioration of democracy in our union will have disastrous consequences."

SEIU is not alone in its seeming indifference to democracy.  Virtually all unions are giving lockstep support to Card Check.  Small wonder.  If, as Mr. Rosselli stated, this is how unions treat their existing members, few workers would join of their own free will.

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Details of Mr. Rosslli’s accusations can be found at seiuvoice.org