Carping a plea

To the editor:

In her letter in the Oct. 23 edition of The Chief, Ellen Rieser wrote that I made “ad hominem attacks” on Marianne Pizzitola, “griping” and “carping.” No, I have advocated for the New York City Organization of Public Sector Retirees proactively disclosing its bylaws, informing members of their right to view them and other documents, consistent with nonprofit statutes.

And I factually stated in a previous letter that the July 9 annual meeting lasted about 15 minutes. No questions were permitted, and it was announced that prior, the board was reelected for a five-year term according to the bylaws that aren’t readily available.

I have been told that these comments undermine NYCOPSR’s objectives and question its integrity. I disagree.

Marianne wrote in a comment to a Chief article: “…Healthy unions do not fear questions. They do not punish dissent. They do not attempt to silence members.” This should apply to NYCOPSR.

Posting Chief letters and Work-Bites articles shouldn’t be taken down from the Facebook page and result in a suspension, as they have.

I suggest that Ellen read Marianne’s Substack essay, “Hypocrisy Roars.”

She wrote: “I have long said a good leader does not surround themselves with people to tell them what they want to hear - but with those who will tell the leader what they need to hear.” This applies to NYCOPSR.

Having the bylaws would inform members about voting rights. Marianne wrote: “Calling for clarity about retirees’ legal status and representation is not an attack on unions.” This applies to NYCOPSR.

Ray Markey, president of the New York Public Library Retirees Association, commented to her letter online: “Last I knew disagreeing with someone does mean they are not helping to move the struggle forward. In fact, it does exactly that.”

Council Speaker Julie Menin has championed transparency. We need her support.

Let’s take the cue.

Harry Weiner

The author is a member of NYCOPSR