By guest blogger Arwen E.
I urge cooperation between my
sisters and brothers of UNITY and MORE.
I plead for the sake of humanity that tomorrow at the D.A.
meeting in Manhattan one Union brother or sister stand up and ask for a
justification of the LOYALTY OATH.
More adamantly, I plead that
this brave soul not be silenced.
And, I ask that reason, not tempers control the debate.
I have read through our UFT 50 Years anniversary book and I
have found deep inspiration. Yet,
nowhere in its pages do I find any justification for a LOYALTY OATH. To the contrary, I find only disdain
for loyalty oaths. One might argue
if everyone votes as one, the voice is stronger. I argue the opposite.
And, I will tell you why.
The LOYALTY OATH stifles both sides of the political
aisle. It silences all chapter
leaders who cannot for reasons of conscience sign the oath. Despite their election, in some cases
repeated election, by their constituencies, they are blocked from exercising
their duly-elected voice at NYSUT and AFT conventions. They are blocked from lucrative
positions in union offices. The
doors of advancement have shut before their eyes. It is shameful.
The LOYALTY OATH stifles UNITY members as well. They are not allowed to freely
express their ideas in public, lest they conflict with that of the
leadership. If they freely express
their views at the DA and they run counter to leadership, they risk raising the
eyebrows or ire of leadership.
They may risk losing potentially very valuable jobs in union
offices. They may risk seeing the
doors to advancement shut before them as well. They may risk losing the privilege to attend assemblies and
conventions across the country. Some
run scared. They supposedly have
freedom of speech, but they all know their words may cost them. You know this, too.
I have heard a few defend the OATH. They state that they agree with all leadership
positions and their membership is aligned with them; so, they have no
compunction about following orders.
This is no justification for a LOYALTY OATH. I'm sure leadership appreciates these jolly troopers, but it
hardly justifies a threat of cutting off the purse strings from anyone who
feels differently.
Yes, there are other LOYALTY OATHS in play. The President swears to uphold the
Constitution. I take no offense
here. The Constitution protects my
basic freedoms and a democratic form of government. Doctors swear to a Hippocratic Oath. I take no offense here. They swear to work for the good of
their patients. Most
representatives vote as trustees, in accordance with the conscience, or as delegates,
in accordance with the democratic wishes of their constituency. For those who vote a party line without
question, without regard to their conscience or constituency, because they fear
losing monetary rewards or privileges, I say this bargain eats at the soul and
insults the firmest principles of democracy as well as human intelligence. I say it may ultimately cost them their
re-election.
One voice is not stronger when it comes at such a
price. One voice is not stronger
when it silences all other voices through implicit threats. One voice is not stronger when it potentially
costs one his or her conscience.
One voice is not stronger when it potentially divides a chapter leader
from his or her constituency. One
voice is not stronger when it potentially squashes independent thought and
innovation. One voice is not
stronger when leaders potentially move forward, but the rank and file do not follow. I do not wish to be a member of a union
with one voice that rules thusly.
I am a minor character in the great play of events, but I
will not be silenced. I
speak solely for myself, but I speak for the right of every individual to have
his or her say.
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