Because the goal of Stern's consolidating power into creating a one man dictatorship in the union and removing members from having a voice is so he make secret deals with corporate America that undermine workers rights but increase his own power. All Stern cares about is his personal power.

That why the big business press fawns over him as the "modern 21st century union leader." That is why there is a culture of fear and intimidation within SEIU, where if you don't praise Stern and drink the purple kool-aid, they try to destroy you. This goes against the real tradition of the labor movement is which empowering workers to act for themselves, in with local democracy and locally controlled unions based in the workplace.

I agree; getting involved in this silliness only prolongs it.  I personally feel like the California people are going too far (especially the California Nurses' Assoc) but I'd rather they sorted it out internally (and QUICKLY).

Right Bob, like you've never gotten involved in internal fights within the Democratic Party.  Because "we don't question" the DLC.

Maybe bloggers would want to get involved because they're progressives and the outcome of this struggle matters.

If you don't understand it, then why do you feel so entitled to dismiss it?  Because it's an 'internal squabble'?  You're in the labor movement, so tell me this: is the Teamsters for a Democratic Union just 'one-half of one percent of the progressive element of our economy,' not worth paying attention to?  Would you have felt the same way when the the CIO purged its socialist elements in the '50s to make itself more amenable to the AFL and the federal government?

Please.  I'm not sure who this "we" is you refer to, but don't presume to speak for everyone who works in the labor movement.

The internal structure of SEIU, and the cronies Stern appoints to run the new consolidated locals work VERY HARD to thwart true member participation, ownership and democracy.  The only reason Healthcare West can assemble that many members fighting for their union is because they have defied the International's culture and actually worked to involved ALL members in a genuine manner.

Were it up to Stern and the rest of the Kool-aid crowd, members would be carefully picked up and put down as needed -- to show up for political events to provide the required sea of purple, to be photographed as needed or serve as tokens in a variety of roles.  They would not have a true voice, they would not have any power and they would not exert their will on the union they pay for.

There are a number of ways to do this -- by cherrypicking the "activists" and shutting out the "trouble-makers", by making no real concerted effort to reach and involve THE MAJORITY of members in democratic decisions, by turning "active members" into Stern loyalists with parttime jobs, trips, flair and bullshit.  

Roselli has built a truly democratic union by aggressively trying to reach and involve ALL members and servicing THEIR needs and not the needs of the International.  For this and this alone he must be destroyed.

The members of Healthcare West are not an anomoly in SEIU -- they speak for the vast majority who have never been organized enough since they first signed that card ot have their voices heard.

This "internal struggle" is important to all progressives because within it lies the future of not only the labor movement but true people-powered driven democracy.  If "progressive organizations" like SEIU are allowed unchallenged to further marginalize and silence the already disenfranchised in the name of "building strength" what the hell is it we stand for?

Roselli has been successful (not Andy Stern!) in reaching out to, organizing and giving voice and power to the poor working class, IN SPITE OF Andy Stern.  Roselli is the progressive success story here, not Andy Stern. And if Andy's march to progressive domination is allowed to continue without critique his poor judgement and the scandals that shadow him will bring the faltering labor movement to it's knees.  When the big purple dragon goes down ( and it could if the corruption and power grabbing continues ) so will too the rest of the labor movement under the weight of it's purple hypocrisy.

Rosselli didn't try to appoint convention delegates. You obviously have no idea what you are talking about.

Initially UHW adopted rules that elected delegates needed to come from the elected shop floor stewards. That was technical violation of the rules, which the Stern gang pounced on. UHW immediately rectified the errorm, and held new elections. This was all apply documented on the UHW web site.

www.seiuvoice.org

The Sternbots are trying to confuse the issues with easily exposable lies, counting on people not bothering to look up the truth. Sort of like Sarah Palin.

Not true - there was a vote by Local 399 members and Local 250 members to approve the merger that formed UHW.  You're making unsubstantiated allegations here.  Do you have any examples of this 'squashing any type of internal democratic debate'? If not then this is meaningless slander.