Union Exec Portrays Self As Some Kind of ‘Victim’

To The Editor:
On Nov. 18, I, attended an AFSCME, Local 3596, meeting at the Old Court House building in Cape May Court House. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss a proposal given to the union by the county prior to a vote that was scheduled by the local on Nov. 29, from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
I was surprised to see Mattie Harrell, executive director/president, AFSCME Council 71, walk in after the meeting had started, upstaging the meeting, and grandstanding with members of her council executive board and an attorney.
She was an embarrassment to watch as she tried to portray herself as some kind of victim, and to hear her complaints about perceived slights from the local’s executive board. Her insinuation that the local board has been ignoring her was preposterous. The local executive board is very accessible and enjoys a good reputation of returning telephone calls.
Obviously, Harrell needed to invent a reason for her absurd showmanship and under handed power plays. How else could she pull off forcing a quorum vote? Everyone knew that the vote was scheduled for Nov. 29. Then the members in attendance voted down the county’s proposal by a show of hands and she disenfranchised the full membership of its right to vote, as well as a secret ballot vote on this important decision.
Harrell’s tactics of bringing down the attorney reflect poorly on herself and Council 71. The attorney’s harsh tone as well as his confrontational posture toward those in attendance was uncalled for, and it only caused him to lose all credibility. How much money did that little stunt cost the union? How much was his fee for the night? Was it just to amuse a small number of malcontents?
I must caution them against levying any dues surcharges on the membership for unwise or unwarranted legal actions.
In today’s climate public employees are under great scrutiny with the general public since many view the taxes in New Jersey as excessive.
In the future, please work in the best interest of all the AFSCME members and not try again to circumvent a vote of the entire membership.
JACK McBRIDE
North Wildwood