The SEIU Canadian locals have been involved in a restructuring plan with Andy Stern and the Int'l's E-Board. When they developed a plan to give them more autonomy, the leadership of the Canadian locals used the opportunity to declare independence, so to speak, to break away and hold a series of decert elections. The International stepped in, and trusteed the locals to prevent this.
As to participating in democratic elections, yes, the worker's did decide. But the key point is the role of the leadership in the process. Things being what they are, most people will vote the way their leaders say they should vote. Basically, the view at SEIU is that the leadership acted for their own personal gain (they all got jobs w/the CAW).
As to which side is "right," I really can't say.
Jeff