Rep. Kubacki Confronts Local Union President in Statehouse Corridor
Posted
Daniel Riordan-driordan@timesuniononline.com
INDIANAPOLIS – A local union president said State Representative Rebecca Kubacki called him a chicken (expletive) several times Tuesday in a corridor of the statehouse.
Kubacki admitted to the confrontation, stating that she called Local 809 President Jeff Hooker the profane name after what she said was a personal attack against her family.
Hooker, along with a group of union DePuy employees, were in Indianapolis to talk to Kubacki about Right To Work legislation in Indiana.
The legislation would not require union members to pay dues. Unions say it’s a way to bust unions in Indiana.
Tuesday’s confrontation stems from a letter to the editor that Hooker ran in the Times-Union.
Kubacki said she took exception with the fact that the letter listed her husband’s salary.
Her husband, Michael Kubacki, is the president of Lake City Bank.
“If you want to say something about me, that’s fine,” said Kubacki. “But to go after my family, with personal attacks, is unfair.”
“She was very distraught over the article,” said Hooker. “She pointed at me and said I attacked her husband. She said it was a chicken (expletive) way of doing it, that I was chicken (expletive). She wouldn't let me talk. I tried to tell her it was not an attack on her.”
Kubacki said she was sorry for calling Hooker the name.
“I probably should not have said that to him and for that I apologize,” said Kubacki. “But that was the first time he talked to me since that letter ran. He never bothered to call me directly. I’ll be happy to talk to anyone. He didn’t have the courtesy to call me.”
Kubacki said her concern was with getting those unemployed back to work.
“I can’t believe what just happened,” said Hooker after the incident in a phone interview with the Times-Union. “To be talked like that by someone who is a public servant stunned me.”
Hooker said he was previously told by Kubacki that unions make too much money.
“I don’t begrudge (Michael Kubacki) for making too much money,” said Hooker. “That wasn’t the point of my letter.”
Still, Rep. Kubacki took it as an attack.
“I’m 4-11-1/2. I’m not going to attack anyone, but for him to go after my family was an attack,” said Kubacki.
After the confrontation Hooker said the stereotype had turned.
“I’m supposed to be the union thug, strong-arming people,” joked Hooker.
