Thanks for the follow-up. Local 2 was also in trusteeship in the not too distant past.
Union democracy can only happen when the membership makes it happen.
We also had the benefit of some great leaders. Past President Sherri Cheasa and current President Mike Casey have brought our union a long way from our darker past. My only advice to my brothers and sisters in Chicago and elsewhere is to stay true to your ideals and work hard to make it happen. Small groups of members can have a huge impact on how your union operates. They energized our negotiations and pulled together other departments that helped get us one of the best H.E.R.E. contracts in the country.