AMO Currents - A message from John Clemons

AMO Currents - Posted: December 9, 2010

A message from John Clemons

The following message, dated Dec. 8, 2010, was sent to AMO National President Tom Bethel by John Clemons, who was elected to the position of AMO national vice president, Great Lakes, in the 2010 AMO Election of National Officers.

Tom,

While attending this year's election and tally process of AMO National Officers, conducted by impartial administrator TrueBallot Inc., I found it to be authentic and the numbers shown to be undeniable. Using TrueBallot Inc., in any future election and/or membership referendum vote, should remove any question in anyone's mind of the legitimacy of those proceedings.

The numbers provided by the tally committee indicate to me more than just who won and who lost. The majority of the positions on the ballot show a margin of victory of five percent and less. My victory, as National Vice President, Great Lakes, margin is 2.28 percent and was the lowest. Being that only 1032 eligible members voted, one can infer from these numbers the feelings of the membership as a whole, indicating that every other member approves of me. Consequently, every other member does not.

As A.M.O. National Vice President, Great Lakes, I will strive to increase this seemingly marginal approval rating. I will do this by maintaining the employment base and contribution days. Of course the Great Lakes region is dependent on the current economic climate; it does appear to be stabilizing since the economic recession of 2009. I will take advantage of every opportunity to increase the employment base and contribution days with current and new shipping companies on the Great Lakes. I see the Marine Highways initiative as a vehicle to increase shipping on the Great Lakes, although there are obstacles to overcome and I hope to work with the area government officials and regulators to bridge these obstacles so as to attract shipping companies to take advantage of this initiative and associated grants.

I know that the Toledo headquarters is full of personnel that complement the workings of A.M.O in that area and A.M.O. as a whole. They are great assets to the port and I am looking forward to working with them.

Above all I am eager to work with you and the rest of the A.M.O. Executive Board for the betterment of the union and the membership as a whole. In fact, if there is anything that I can do or have access to now to assist me in being a true asset to you and the members, please let me know.

Fraternally yours,

John E. Clemons