Judge to Unions: 
12/30/08
By Marc Garman
First, let's recap. Vallejo's bankruptcy is moving forward on two fronts:
1) In the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the unions are still arguing that Vallejo is not bankrupt.
2) In the Eastern District Bankruptcy Court,Judge McManus is preparing to hear arguments regarding the city's motion to reject the union contracts (CBA's or Collective Bargaining Agreements) This part of the case is in the “discovery” stage.
Our most recent example of obstructionist tactics took place yesterday in the District Court--front 2-- as a result of the union refusing to provide witnesses for deposition from the membership of the IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers), IAFF (International Association of Firefighters) and VPOA (Vallejo Police Officers Association). The unions argued that they should not have to shoulder the expense and inconvenience of such a process since they had not submitted any declarations opposing the city's motion.
Deposing witnesses called by either side is considered standard practice in the discovery phase of a case. The judge soundly rejected the union argument and indicated that the unions could not limit discovery to the witnesses they “choose to shove forward”. In other words—get on with it and stop stalling.
But why stall? Why delay a very standard proceeding? Why continue to argue that Vallejo is not bankrupt? Why waste time when expenses are skyrocketing on both sides of the fence?
The answer seems obvious. The unions want-- YOU – the Vallejoan on the street to feel the effects of the crisis in Vallejo in a very real and personal way. They want as much time as possible to allow their campaign of fear to grip the populace:
THEY WANT YOU TO SUFFER
THEY WANT YOU,THE ELECTORATE, PROPERLY TENDERIZED
THEY WANT YOU TO CRY AND PLEAD AND VOTE FOR A TAX INCREASE
THEY WANT YOU TO BLAME EVERYBODY EXCEPT THEM FOR THEIR MESS
THEY WANT YOU TO VOTE FOR CANDIDATES THEY CONTROL IN THE NEXT ELECTION
THEY WANT TO MANIPULATE YOU
DO NOT FALL FOR IT
The union delay tactics are costing Vallejo money that would otherwise be spent on employee salaries and benefits. It seems the unions are willing to soil their own nest in order to attempt to preserve an unsustainable status quo (salaries and benefits). Good luck with that as the national economic situation continues to worsen.
Viva Vallejo!
P.S.
The IBEW deposition starring union president Ken Shoemaker is scheduled for Dec. 31 at 9:30 AM
The IAFF deposition starring the incredible "digit lifting magician" and union president Kurt Henke is scheduled for Thurs. Jan. 8 at 9:30 AM
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