In July, we received notice that the US Department of Labor would proceed with conducting a new FLOC presidential election because of the many irregularities with the 2022 election. After no communication with us for several months (purportedly because FLOC could not produce an accurate membership list), the US DOL has asked both FLOC and IOF for their slate of candidates.
We still have very few details: we have no idea how they plan to calculate membership, if "Associate Member" votes (weighted heavily towards the former leadership) will be equal to dues-paying member votes, if virtual participation will be allowed, where or even when a new potential election could take place. However, the request for slate names clearly indicates that the DOL is moving forward.
IOF’s membership is very divided in how to respond to the DOL’s efforts and how much time and energy to spend on a new election. Each individual has a very distinct personal opinion. Some members don’t want to ever affiliate with FLOC again, because they feel so betrayed and because the union has lost so much credibility. Some members want IOF to move forward as a nonprofit organization that advocates for workers independently. And still others feel a strong sense of ownership of the union contract they fought for and paid dues into - in some cases, over decades! - and are prepared to fight to take back their union into more democratic control.
While each person may have a individual opinion, one IOF leader voiced the desire to move forward as a unified body: “Our members are ready for whatever it is that the group decides.” |