<html><body> <DIV>If the IAM had properly represented its members, the AMFA would not have replaced it. We should recall that IAM was voted out and AMFA voted in by its own members. Bureaucrats may characterise what happened as 'raiding' but the choice of representation is a fundamental part of labor democracy.</DIV> <DIV>      IAM may have a progressive reputation among some because one of its former presidents (Wimpinsinger) used to lend his name to various progressive cause, but if it couldn't provide the basic services to its members - why shouldn't it be voted out. Now IAM appears to be compounding its errors by refusing to support its former members on strike. IAM is only cutting its own throat. Steve</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #1010ff 2px solid"> <P>-------------- Original message -------------- <BR><BR>> <HTTP: the_northwest_s.html 08 2005 daily_blog workinglife.typepad.com><BR>> <BR>> AUGUST 22, 2005 <BR>> <BR>> The Northwest Strike: Another (Bad) Watershed Moment <BR></P> <P> </P></BLOCKQUOTE></body></html>