I was totally taken aback however when this “exec person” informed me that the local had never even processed my original application to the international, and that i, in effect was not only NOT a VALID member of the union, but that each year, when i faithfully paid my dues in toto, was the subject of “one big inside joke at my expense”.
When inquiries were made to the international regarding my membership status, it apparently sparked an internal investigation of the local, uncovering gross malfeasance, embezzlment, and non adhereance to OSHA standards.
Unaware of these developments, i still hoped the local would rectify what appeared to be an administrative faus pax, and duly reinstate me to my prior status and seniority. Depressed as i was, i still believed in the general good of my “brothers and sisters”, and that they would not want to lose an established professional with as mant years experience as i possessed.
Mind you, i had been with this local for over ten years, and in this industry for almost thirty years.
But the inside tittering and gossip soon turned to outright abusive behaviour and any hopes of further work, as well as remuneration for past dues paid, loss of my insurance and annuities, seemed as tho something i was going to have to just write off.
This, concommittant with the trauma suffered over years at the mind of my abuser, (who apparently gleefully undertaking his own smear campaign in concert with the business agent), i sank further and further into a severe chrnic, debilitating depression.
In a last ditch effort to keep my dignity, my home and vitually my life intact, i turned to the NLRB.
Their efforts on my behalf were friutless, as the union engaged in a concerted collusion, fueling the fears of fellow union members (“this could happen to you, if you don’t go along with the program”)
Many knew, but not one, including “my good friend’ within the exec board, would step up to the plate on my behalf.He told me “that i just needed to snap out of it and get on with my life, go find another job, outside of the industry.
I DID finally, after almost a year, find work within my industry, at a non union facility, however, the rumors soon stared to follow, mostly prefaced with the words “you know, she’s suing the union.”
REALLY!? News to me, at that point, i was living in my van, and was lucky to be able to buy a buck a burger, much less pay for some attorney! (Which i found out, there weren’t ANY attorneys willing or trained to fight the union in a right to work state.) Take that back, i did find ONE, whose billable hours started at $900.00 an hour, not on a contingincey basis.
Eventually, that job ended, (for reasons that i do not understand, they just said they had to make cutbacks.)
So, here i am, almost six years later, unemployed and unemployable, battling what has now become a crippling depression and still battling the “she sued the union” onus. Would that i had, would that i could, gee, if life were like TV, some hot lawyer would’ve defended (pro bono) me to the death and i’d walk away with a million bucks, looking like Julia Roberts!
I can’t take my story to the media.
WHY?
The union is IATSE.

I was bullied by my manager and had nowhere to turn. I pieced together, too late, that he is a sociopath. I regret not having kept a diary.

I am unemployed. He still works there, surrounded by his sycophants, whilst the competent of my former colleagues are marginalised.