Hickey out at Pro-Vote
John Hickey, the executive director of Missouri Progressive Vote Coalition (Pro-Vote), was removed last night by a vote of the group’s board at its annual meeting in Jefferson City.
Controversy surrounding Hickey had swirled in political circles last fall when he was essentially accused of working employees too hard and then union busting when they tried to unionize.
The Brotherhood of Union Support Staff (BUSS) decried Hickey’s management habits after they heard complaints. Five Pro-Vote employees signed cards to join BUSS but then later quit Pro-Vote because, they claimed, working conditions were so bad.
Pro-Vote is a state wide coalition of labor, teachers, community organizations and others. A number of Service Employees International Union arms operate out of the same building on Pershing Avenue in the Central West End.
The Pro-Vote statement released today:
“We, the more than 40 member organizations of Pro-Vote, are grateful for the fifteen years of service that John Hickey has dedicated to moving the progressive agenda forward in Missouri. Working with our organizations, John and his staff have created a powerful, respected organization and even without John at the helm we plan to continue in that tradition.”
I got through to Lenny Jones, president of Pro-Vote and head of the SEIU state council, for more commentary. He declined to comment on whether Hickey was fired over union issues, and only would say:
“There were philosophical differences between the management style the board wanted and the management style that was in practice.”
I also chatted very briefly with Hickey himself, who was lacing his son’s soccer cleats and couldn’t talk much. He offered to discuss more later — we’ll take him up on that — and would only offer the following:
“Progressives are going to win in November. We’re all on the same team.”
Let me see if I understand this. The union folks don’t want to play by union rules when they are in management? The leftist ideologue workers don’t want to work hard? Imagine that.
I dont know John well, personally, but have worked with him in some form for years. I wont judge pro or con the controversy, but to my mind they dont come any nicer personally, or smarter professionally than John. He was always respectful and kind and honest to me when I wanted to talk. I’m sure his job wasnt easy and he was driven to accomplish goals he believed in as best he could. Nor will I judge the employees who thought that they were worked too hard. Employees should get adequate breaks and lunch, and paid well for the work they do, and treated respectfully. I like to think their differences were business not personal and it sounds like they were. John will be somewhere between difficult and impossible to replace as a catalyst for change. I will miss his leadership and look forward to new and equally effective leadership.
John Hickey is a brilliant man and can be great to work for as long as you are working 80 hours per week and not taking lunch breaks…or calling in sick (expect multiple calls home).
John can be an incredibly callous and manipulative person but he is also funny, sharp and dedicated to the mission of Pro-Vote. For years, I expected to be relieved if he were fired but when I heard the news this morning, I felt sorry for him.
Pro-Vote is an incredible coalition of strong, committed individuals and organizations and it would not exist without John Hickey. However, John has alienated any staff with leadership potential. This is a great move for the coalition.
Hopefully, John will find a position better suited to his skill set.
Terry: Are you honestly surprised? Al Franken and Michael Moore are two celebrity examples of this trend-liberals decrying the lack of unions, and yet blocking unions from organizing their own staffs. Same as their opposition to right-to-work laws; they are for the ability of the working person to organize, but not for the ability of the working person to NOT organize.
I wish I could say it’s surprising, but almost nothing surprises me from this crowd anymore.
Should have followed the Carpenter’s lead and hired homeless for less than minumum wage.