As we get ready for the union vote, we need to keep a few things in mind...
First, the department claims that PBA is "forcing" this "unwanted" vote on us, this only after they sent sergeants to our homes to sign a letter rescinding our blue cards that were sent in. Understandably, some officers felt bullied into signing this letter, but still had interest in a union vote. It is also important to note here that the department claims that they “have learned” that we notified PBA, in writing, about not wanting a vote. In fact, we all know that they were the driving force behind these “desires” of ours.
Second, the department claims that they wanted an "on-site balloting process” so that we would have a “quick, fair, and discreet voting process”. Hmmmm…This sounds more like they wanted to keep tabs on who is voting. The department also claims that by the union not allowing this, they are putting “their interests above you and your interests”. It is apparent that with an upper management push to try and force us to have a “desire to withdraw from the election process”, it is them who are putting their interests above ours.
Finally, I will agree that you should “make sure you get all the information you need before you vote”. This information needs to include, not only information about the union, but also information about the department and their crusade to bad mouth you on the internet, bully you into assent, and terminate officers they suspected of leading the union.
The union supporters have tried to lay our information for you about how the union can help, while the anti-union upper management has only made negative and crude comments about union supporters. This is an important election for us, and in the campaign of this election, debated mostly online, you can look back and see the educated supporters of the union, present facts. There has been a mature and rational initiative to lay out these facts. This is not a popularity contest, this is your future in your career, and so before you make a decision based on what you can “get” in the short term from upper management, you need to think of your long term career. You should not have to leave your position in the hands of one person and their mood.
Be educated, all around, and then make an informed decision.