after Deputy Chairman Miguel Mendes was kicked out of the union last Monday by Chairman Michael Sallons. Menes disagrees with the decision and held an emergency union meeting on Monday morning to inform the workers of Public Green of the latest developments.

He explained that he had received a letter from Chairman Sallons, informing him that he is no longer the deputy chairman. Menes made it clear that according to the bylaws the chairman lacks the authority to remove him from office and that this decision can only be made at a union meeting. At the union meeting Menes strongly criticized Sallons and accused him of acting like a sole ruler who makes decisions without consulting other union officials and union members. Menes has responded to the letter by sending a letter, demanding that a general members’ meeting be organized to determine the next steps. He claimed that he has the support of the majority of the union members.

“About 300 workers support me”, said Menes. Chairman Sallons who has denied the accusations explained that Menes was never officially elected as deputy chairman but that he was only nominated at a meeting. He acknowledged that there were not enough members at that meeting to make big decisions but explained that he made a decision in the interest of the organization and the workers.

Sallons accused Menes of failing to show up at work and being unavailable when he tried to contact him. “Workers often complained that Menes was nowhere to be found when they needed him. I have often talked to the deputy chairman about his performance and I even offered to let him sign an attendance list at the office of the union”, said Sallons who added that Menes did not cooperate. “All of the union officials work for their money.”

Why doesn’t mister Menes want to do the same? “I cannot run an organization with people who only want to serve their own interests.” Despite the serious accusations Sallons claimed that there is no personal quarrel between him and Menes but he made it clear that discipline and responsibility are necessary in a union. A few workers from the Public Green division made it clear that they support Menes because “he is the only one who fights for the interests of the workers”. “We hardly know Sallons while Menes regularly stays in contact with us.”