Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 15:51:53 -0400 (EDT)
From: Steve Robinson <robinson@edtech.mcc.edu>
To: wcs-l@tc.umn.edu
Subject: NEA/AFT
Upate on the Principles of Unity vote:  As you have probably learned 
alredy, adoption of the Principles failed, 58% to 42%.  This surprised 
many.  This morning, the RA adopted NBI #1, which sends the NEA back to 
the bargaining table with the AFT/AFL-CIO, and leaves state associaitons 
free to persue mergers with the AFT.

The ballot was secret, but I will state that I did decide to break ranks 
with the MEA caucus and vote YES.  I had the privledge of discussing the 
election results with Don Ephlin, former VP of the UAW yesterday 
afternoon.  We agreed that two major factors resulted in the failure:  1) 
innaccurate information and lack of NEA education about the AFL-CIO; 2) 
lack of cohilition building and parternship with state associations.

I have a great deal of respect for my MEA president, Julius Maddox, who 
was an ardent opponent of the principles, and by far the most persuasive 
speaker against them.  To watch him working our delegation and build the 
NO cohilition with the other states was a real education.  Despite the 
fact that I disagreed with his position, I admire the integrity and power 
that he exercised on behalf of the Michigan caucus.  I am still impressed 
with the democratic process I have witnessed here on the floor of the RA.

Steve Robinson                                 (810) 762-0483
Mott Community College        http://edtech.mcc.edu/~robinson
Michigan State University    http://www.msu.edu/user/robins11