Eye On The 503 blogs

Have we lost our way?

Jimmy Higgins — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 05:41:37 +0000

With the entire external organizing crew focused on long term community projects exclusively in Portland, I can only wonder how this was sold to the membership, or in fact, if it even was sold to the members. read more »

Lessons from Andy v. Sal

Jimmy Higgins — Sun, 15 May 2011 08:47:48 +0000

First of all, I learned something important about the whole California debacle. I'm not going to out my sources about this. I am satisfied that they are reliable. My information is from people who participated fully in the restructuring meetings. But I'm not going to name names, so I understand that this brief narrative will be taken with a grain of salt. That's fine. read more »

What do we want?... More substantive dialogue! When do we want it?... Yesterday!

Buck Eichler — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 19:12:51 +0000

I'm just going to confess. I'm weary of our little shout outs. I don't think they are effective, in fact I suspect they piss more people off than they convert to our cause. We ought to rethink our methodologies. We need to disseminate good, well detailed information, confronting the tough questions, not side-stepping or spinning them.

Purging the infidels out of the party, are the Republicans onto something?

Buck Eichler — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 06:24:07 +0000

It is often said that Democrats have a wide tent. As one with a long background in structural inspections, I would remind us that once a tent structure reaches a certain critical width, it will collapse. I've witnessed the Democratic Congress collapse under it's own 60 vote weight on issues critical to American working families. The Republicans have shown unity. The Democrats are self-destructing. I can't say it any plainer. read more »

A small random thought

Scott — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 04:30:42 +0000

After a long time where I've woefully neglected my posting, I'm going to share a random thought I had last month.

This was right before the May primary election. Driving down the I-5 corridor, the various candidate signs were lining the sides of the freeway both northbound and southbound. Then, one day, out-of-the-blue, nestled in amongst the "Vote For ME" signs, there was a new addition. It read, "Cage Fight!"

It seems like a good idea whose time has come. read more »

This site seems like a good idea, but doesn't get used much.....is it the name?

Buck Eichler — Sat, 29 May 2010 22:11:09 +0000

I know that some brothers and sisters in 503 think this is an "anti-503" site, but I haven't read anything that gave me that impression. The only hang up I see is the name "eye on the 503" because it's so similar to the anti-SEIU union, NUHW, which has a web site called "Eye on SEIU."
I'd like to see this site become a worthwhile, constructive forum for good union members to express themselves. Just a thought, would changing the name possibly help?
Respectfully,
-Buck Eichler, SEIU 503 retirees

When you don't vote…

Scott — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 07:31:37 +0000

I'm sure you know what happens to a kitten. A cute, cuddly kitten.

Now, for all of you who didn't vote just because you hate kittens, shame on you!

I knew there wasn't much participation in the union voting. What I didn't realize was exactly how poor the participation really is! Seriously, it's bad! read more »

It's time to pay attention

Scott — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 06:47:15 +0000

I received an e-mail tonight from Pope Stern. The subject said, "It's time to pay attention." I immediately thought, what a perfect and timely message! read more »

Happy Thanksgiving

Scott — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:04:14 +0000

Just a quick note to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving.

The holiday season is always a busy one. And for many of us, we have a furlough day this Friday. All of which adds up to not much time to get everything done that you want to do.

So have a safe and happy holiday. And try to relax. You deserve it. read more »

The Best Laid Plans…

Scott — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:47:27 +0000

Welcome back. My plans for a great promotion for the site have certainly gone astray. I had hoped to be well under way by this point, but that just hasn't happened. I don't want to spoil the surprise, so I can't give any details. What I can say is that I'm looking to give it another try to celebrate the New Year. read more »