SEIU 1021: "Nothing to see here, move along..."

As widely expected, the SEIU 1021 internal investigation regarding James Bryant receiving more in salary for running a charity out of his home than he does as a worker at the SF Municipal Railway has come out with a finding of no wrongdoing on the part of Mr. Bryant.

Service Employees International Union, Local 1021 today issued a written decision following the March 11, 2009 hearing on a complaint filed by SEIU member Harry Baker against SEIU 1021 Political Chair James Bryant.

Baker alleged that Bryant had a conflict of interest because of his position as both SEIU 1021 political chair and President of the San Francisco-based A. Philip Randolph Institute.

A three-member hearing panel unanimously disagreed, noting that Bryant followed established union procedure in making disclosures when appropriate and recusing himself from votes that might have presented the appearance of a conflict of interest.

The panel’s March 16 decision also notes that one of Baker’s most serious claims of financial misdealings was based on Baker’s misreading of documents.

SEIU’s decision follows a months-long investigation into Baker’s complaint, one in which internal union documents and allegations were furnished to the LA Times and made subject of a March 11 article on Baker’s allegations.

SEIU 1021 members hope that the March 16 decision ends this chapter of union history and allows Local 1021 to move forward on behalf of the working men and women of Northern California.

Quelle surprise.



As we recall, here is a picture of Stern-appointed SEIU 1021 President Damitra Davis-Howard (she of the infamous Salsa Team) along with Stern-appointed James Bryant in the center, presenting an award in April of 2008 for "Unionist of the Year" from the A. Philip Randolph Institute to Stern-appointed and since deposed former SEIU 6434 president Tyrone Freeman, on the right.

Something tells me that a little bit more than an internal SEIU investigation is going to be necessary in order to end this particular chapter in 1021's history.