I’m not going to waste anyone’s time about whether or not the SEIU union is a good thing for workers here at RPI. That is a personal choice and I believe most people have made up their minds, one way or the other.

A bigger questions to ask is “What kind of union do you want speaking for you?” Are all unions the same? Is SEIU the best union for workers here, or were they just the first one selected by…who did contact them?

I bring up “what type” of union SEIU is because I am one of the two employees, the other being Pat Murtha from Environmental Services, who had their home phone numbers handed out to strangers on the street in front of the Union weeks back. I would love for Sheila Lozzo, Environmental Services, to write a response in The Poly’s next issue, justifying to all workers here why it was “no problem” to give out our numbers. Her name was clearly printed on the flyers, asking anyone who wanted to, to call us and question us as to why we were not in favor of SEIU.

Ask yourself this why you are patting her on the back for doing a fine job: If you were happy at RPI and she gave out your home phone number to anyone who would take it, would you be telling her “Way to go, give ‘em hell?”

I hope you respond quickly Sheila.

Lastly, Dave Hempstead of environmental services wrote in The Poly “I wish RPI would just leave us alone.” Dave, did you ever think maybe Pat and I would have liked the same courtesy? I just hope you don’t ever clash with SEIU. Your phone could be ringing off the hook.

Russ Damico & Pat Murtha