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Boardman removed from top SEIU job amid “collapse of leadership”

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Illinois

* From SEIU Local 73’s web page…

A crisis of governance and collapse of leadership at SEIU Local 73 resulted in an emergency trusteeship by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) today to protect the interests of its members, ensure the performance of the Local’s collective bargaining responsibilities, and restore democratic procedures at the Local.

Immediate action was required because incessant infighting between Local 73’s top elected officers, President Christine Boardman and Secretary-Treasurer Matthew Brandon, reached a boiling point and seriously disrupted the operations and functioning of the Local, putting members’ interests at risk.

Under the provisions of the SEIU Constitution, Eliseo Medina, former Secretary-Treasurer of SEIU, has been appointed as Trustee and Dian Palmer, president of SEIU Healthcare Wisconsin, and Lenore Friedlander, an officer from SEIU Local32BJ as Deputy Trustees, and they have assumed responsibility for the operation of the Local. Consistent with the imposition of a trusteeship, the current Local 73 officers have been removed from office.

“Immediate action was needed to protect SEIU Local 73 members,” said Eliseo Medina, who was appointed Trustee of the Local. “We will work to protect the best interests of SEIU Local 73 members by restoring the normal operations and functions of the Local.”

Serious charges and accusations between the Local’s two top officers caused an egregious breakdown in governance. President Boardman and Secretary-Treasurer Brandon each challenge the basic legitimacy of the other’s authority to hold office or lead the Local, resulting in a debilitating dysfunction of the Local’s governance process as well as causing instability and confusion within the Local and its membership.

Circumstances deteriorated so badly that the Local was unable to conduct the July 15, 2016 Executive Board meeting to carry out union business or hold a basic membership meeting scheduled for the next day. The Local is mired in internal charges, contested suspension of its secretary-treasurer and allegations that the local president can no longer serve due to a previous announcement of retirement.

Boardman has been a Rahm Emanuel ally.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Aug 3, 16 @ 12:55 pm

Comments

#RichPeopleProblems

Two extremely well-paying jobs whose income cannot be easily replicated elsewhere. Sometimes, one must learn to let it go.

Comment by City Zen Wednesday, Aug 3, 16 @ 1:15 pm
In my experience, Boardman was difficult to work with.

Comment by Michael Westen Wednesday, Aug 3, 16 @ 1:18 pm
1. Define “extremely” or “rich”.
2. Are they both being removed from the payroll? Or just removed form their office?
3. I agree it’s a shame they couldn’t figure it out together.

Comment by chi Wednesday, Aug 3, 16 @ 1:18 pm
As a former member of this local I can tell you that their leadership was, to be diplomatic - sub-par. It’s a blessing for these workers that these two are out. I hope they clean up the rest of that local.

Comment by LBJ Wednesday, Aug 3, 16 @ 2:19 pm
This has been a LONG time coming.

Comment by JoeMaddon Wednesday, Aug 3, 16 @ 2:27 pm
I know two people who had to work with and deal with Ms. Boardman and they were close friends of hers. They are glad she is gone because she was very difficult to work with.

Comment by HRC2016 Wednesday, Aug 3, 16 @ 10:05 pm