SEIU Local 1984

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SEA Member Learns Important Lesson in Solidarity

After being subjected to a strip search in his own office, Hal McAllister appreciates the support of his fellow union members.

Hal McAllister, center, and Attorney Chuck Douglas speak with reporters attending the Sept. 28 press conference.

Facing a group of reporters during the Sept. 28 press conference, McAllister stood before a crowd organized by Department of Corrections chapters, other SEA members and the N.H. AFL-CIO. He thanked his co-workers for supporting him through a very difficult time.

"Probably the best lesson I've learned through all this is that that the men and women, especially in blue but all men and women at DOC, have been unbelievable."

Like many professional employees, he didn't expect to be in a situation where a threat to his job would be used to violate his most basic human rights and dignity.

"I never would have guessed it in a million years," he said.

"Although I am here, it's not really about me, although I am the latest incident. It's about everybody that's behind me and everybody that's working for DOC and other state agencies."

Affects All Public Workers

Beth Campbell, SEA's first vice president, tells the crowd that management disrespect for state workers hurts public services.

Beth Campbell, SEA's first vice president, linked the unity theme to the entire SEA membership, including county and municipal and private-sector workers.

"I'm here today to tell the SEA members at the Department of Corrections that you are not alone in your fight for dignity and respect in the workplace," she said. "We are an army of eight thousand members, mobilized to ensure that your rights are protected."

"When you show disregard for your employees, you show disregard for the services they provide. When you show disregard for public services, you expose your disregard for the people of New Hampshire who count on those services. We, the citizens of the Granite State, say NO MORE."