Delegates supporting current President James P. Hoffa and Secretary Treasurer Ken Hall’s slate were ruthless. They shouted profanities and boos at the top of their lungs in an attempt to keep the reform Teamsters United slate’s nominations from being heard by the delegates.

During the nominations, the behavior of the Hoffa supporters was meekly checked by the independent election officer. He quietly banged the gavel asking for order. Despite having the authority, he disciplined none of the Hoffa delegates for their outrageous behavior.

Despite this, hundreds of reform minded Teamsters supporting Fred Zuckerman of Louisville Local 89 for president and the Teamster United Slate held tough. They stood out in front of the hall amid a flow of union officials wearing the red vest which indicates allegiance to Hoffa.

Later in the day, a series of noncontroversial resolutions were passed with no opposition. These included supporting organizing drives in various companies such as FedEx, XPO/Conway and others.

The Teamsters United Slate provides the convention with a much needed reality check. These Teamsters know that their union has been in a free fall. They are ready to fight take control from the ineffective leadership of Hoffa/Hall.

Without the Teamsters United Slate’s sober vision, the Hoffa scripted convention’s fictional account of the Teamsters union and the labor movement would go unchallenged. Out of touch International vice presidents had nothing to say about key contract negotiations in industries like carhaul and freight. They had nothing to say about the Teamster pension crisis at the Central States Pension Fund. Or the last UPS contract, which was ultimately forced upon members who never voted for it.

What could the leadership say? That the strategy of complete collaboration with the employers has led to huge losses for the members of our union? That things are terrible because of us, but we are not going to change a thing? Fiction is much, much better to these guys.

The reality of the rank and file is not discussed by those on stage in suits. Concessions, cutbacks, retirement losses, harassment and the rapid growth of right to work legislation are felt by the working members of this union. These battles will be fought out on the shop floor across the country, and not in the Teamster marble palace in Washington DC or at its convention in the middle of a desert.

#LasVegasNV #Teamsters #Hoffa

Las Vegas, Nev. – Teamster President James P. Hoffa has decided to spend millions of dollars in union members’ dues money to showcase himself at the International convention which opened June 27 in Las Vegas. Hoffa demands that delegates wear red vests to show loyalty to his presidency as he seeks another five-year term in office.

“I’m not wearing a red vest,” said Teamsters Local 705 member Benjamin Cline. Cline is a United Parcel Service (UPS) warehouse worker in Chicago. “Hoffa likes to project a spectacle of ‘Teamster Power’ when in reality he has delivered concessionary giveback contracts, more corruption and suppression of the voice of rank and file Teamsters.”

Cline belongs to a coalition of courageous workers and officials from around the county who chose the Black vest of reformer Fred Zuckerman from the Teamsters United slate. Zuckerman, along with a full slate of candidates, plans to be nominated and to run against Hoffa and his cronies. Louisville Local 89 President Fred Zuckerman led the fight against the sellout agreement negotiated by James Hoffa and his Secretary Treasurer Ken Hall with the United Parcel Service.

“I have been working for UPS for ten years. That is long enough to see that with Hoffa we keep going backward,” said Cline, “Teamsters United represents workers willing to fight back. I like to think that I am one of those guys.”

Hoffa is a spin doctor. The millions spent at the convention is meant to convey power in the face of huge losses for the union. There will be no real debate or discussion about the problems facing the American working class, but plenty of free drinks for those wearing red vests.

Fight Back! will be covering the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Convention this week live from Las Vegas, Nevada.

#LasVegasNV #PeoplesStruggles #Teamsters #Hoffa

Las Vegas, NV – El presidente del sindicato de Camioneros (Teamsters) logró su meta-ell aumento mas grande en la cuota sindical en la historia de este sindicato. El voto a favor del aumento en la convención de finanzas el 30 de Abril fue aplastante.

¿Como fue posible? ¿Que clase de Teamster votaría a favor de un aumento tan grande? Especialmente cuando se toma en cuenta el nivel de corrupción y desgaste presupuestuarial de parte de los burócratas de los Teamsters, ¿Como pudo haber pasado esto?

Las respuestas son sencillas. Hoffa no permitió ningun voto de parte de la membracía general sobre los aumentos.

En lugar de eso, organizó una convención de puros rutinarios del sindicato. La abrumadora mayoría de los delegados de esta convención son funcionarios que reciben mucho mas del sindicato en salarios y recursos que pagan en cuotas. Estos parásitas se regalaron dinero y obligan a los miembros de base a que paguen el costo.

A pesar de los mejores esfuerzos por parte de Hoffa de callar a la voz de la base en el sindicato, una oposición valiente se expresó en contra de los aumentos. Ashley McNeely, un miembro de local 2000 basado en Honolulu, expresó el punto de vista de las mayorías cuando dijo a la convención “Un voto para aumentar a las cuotas solo les da al liderato nacional dinero para gastar en 'carne de puerco'. En lugar de aumentar las cuotas para los Teamsters que trabajan duro, debemos votar para recortar la grasa para los funcionarios bien pagados del sindicato”. McNeely a continuación señaló los enormes salarios que muchos funcionarios de los Teamsters reciben. Dijo que si cortamos salarios de funcionarios por $100,000 anuales, y si se prohiba que un funcionario cobre multiples salarios, pudimos aumentar nuestro fondo de huelgas y quedar con enormes ganancias.

En algunos locales alrededor del país, se llevaron a cabo votos chuecos, fingiendo un impacto. A la convención delegado reformista Richard Berg del local 743 hizo un llamado para un voto auténtico. “Nosotros creemos que los miembros del sindicato deben tener el derecho de un voto sobre este asunto. No nos gusta el hecho de que los lideres del sindicato vayan sigilosamente a Las Vegas despues de una elección para aprobar estos aumentos” dijo.

Hoffa hizo todo lo posible para mantener secretos estos actos malos. En contraste con las convenciones del pasado, prohibió la presencia de la prensa, de invitados y hasta de la membracía sindical en el salón de la convención. No se permitieron ni observadores ni cámeras.

Pronto, Teamsters en todo el país se darán cuenta que Hoffa les está quitando un pedazo aun mayor de sus cheques de salario. En lugar de usar los fondos del sindicato para luchar para mejores condiciones para los trabajadores, Hoffa lo pretende usar para dar fondos a candidatos republicanos anti-obreros o a demócratas incumplidos.

¿Porque? Hoffa quiere que su amigo George Bush le quita la supervisión gubernmental de encima de los Teamsters. Esta supervisión ha sido bornochoso y costoso. Ultimamente el compañero de formula de Hoffa, Bill Hogan, y ayudante Dana Passo, ambos chicagoenses, fueron agarrados en el proceso de hacer un acuerdo sucio, anti-trabajador, con la industria de convenciones de Las Vegas. El pacto fue para que la industria pudiera sustituir a cientos de trabajadores sindicalizados con trabajadores no-sindicalizados, enriqueciendo a Hogan y Passo en el proceso.

Y a propósito, ¿quien es el dueño de la empresa no-sindicalizado que iba a proporcionar a los obreros substitutos? Pues, nada menos que el propio hermano de Hogan.

Mientras que Hoffa sigue cuidado sus intereses creados y los de sus amigotes, miembros de los Teamsters no podemos quedar con los brazos cruzados esperando que las cosas se mejoren por si solas. Pronto se vence el contrato del sindicato con United Parcel Service. UPS quiere un acuerdo rápido. El año que entra, se vence el cntrato maestro de los camioneros de cargo (Truck Drivers Master Freight Contract).

Estos son verdaderos asuntos que impactan a gente de carne y hueso. La suerte de nuestros contratos y de nuestro sindicato tendrá repercusiones en el movimiento laboral mucho mas allá de los Teamsters. La battala de las bases del sinicato para crear un sindicato para todos los Teamsters de clase trabajadora, tendrá un impacto con todos los trabajadores.

#LasVegasNV #News #Teamsters #HoffaJr #TeamstersLocal743

Las Vegas, NV – The United Auto Workers International convention was held here, June 12 – 15. This was the first convention I have ever attended. It was an honor and a privilege to be elected by the membership (active and retired) to represent them at the convention. The convention was a thorough learning experience in regards to the issues that exist not only throughout our Local and International Union but our society as a whole. I was given a lot of information on what to expect so I was not stunned by what I observed. Nauseated, maybe – surprised, no.

When reviewing and voting on the rules we observed our first glimpse of the theme that was to punctuate every event of the week. Mike Parker, a convention delegate from Local 1700 Chrysler, made a motion to amend the rules allowing resolutions to be submitted from the floor of the convention and debated for adoption. Although Mr. Gettlefinger and others extolled the need for change in the UAW, delegate after delegate stood to proclaim their opposition to any change in the rules stating, “We have done it this way for 33 consecutive conventions; the rules are fair and democratic; don’t change them.” I attempted to speak in support of the motion waving a sign in an exaggerated manner. Even while I was waving the sign the chair President Gettlefinger asked if anyone was in support in region 4. The chair did not recognize me at any time throughout the entire week. The motion was defeated, with the exception of possibly a dozen delegates dissenting

Mike Parker also stated that due to the unprecedented attack on Auto Workers at Delphi, GM and Ford Motor Company we should have a more open discussion of the issues and democratic debate. The chair, Mr. Gettlefinger, stated that this was the Constitutional Convention and these were issues for the Bargaining Convention that will possibly, allegedly, maybe take place in 2007. This was a startling statement considering we were voting on resolution after resolution that had nothing to do with the Constitution.

Day two saw another blow to democracy. Gary Walkowitz brought to the attention of the delegate body a proposed submitted resolution that would have allowed retirees the right to vote on those contracts that diminish their retirement pension, health care or other benefits. It required 207 delegate votes simply to get it on the floor to debate it. When the chair called a vote to call the submitted proposal up for debate only nine delegates voted in favor of allowing a debate. While on break I asked a delegate wearing a Ford hat what he thought of the proposal and he said, “I thought we should at least discuss it.” When I asked him if he raised his hand in favor of bringing it on the floor he said, “Oh no way.” “Why not?” I asked. “Because they are watching me,” he replied.

Wednesday brought a farce called an election, the preordained replacement for retiring Vice Presidents and Regional Directors. On Tuesday afternoon an invitation was passed around inviting people to a Sunshine breakfast provided by the Administrative Caucus. I am not a member of the Administrative Caucus so I did not attend. When arriving at the Convention Wednesday morning it was adorned with thousands of balloons and on every table was poised Administrative Caucus election material. Virtually everyone was wearing a nauseating sticker that proclaimed, “I am on Ron’s Team.” I was asked why I didn’t come help decorate. My reply was, “Because I was not invited to decorate. I was invited to an Administrative Caucus breakfast.”

Thursday brought more regurgitation of the same rhetoric of the previous part of the week. John Sweeney, President of the AFL-CIO, spoke and there were more resolutions to stamp. Sunday when we arrived I browsed through the resolution book and when I saw the resolutions on Veterans Protection and National Security I decided I would put a speech together. Being a veteran I thought I am entitled to speak to these issues I earned it through ten years of service. Again I was denied access to the floor and was not recognized by the chair.

The last resolution to come up was one for protecting the 40-hour week. I was stunned when I realized there was not one word in the resolution about protecting the eight-hour day. I began to realize that the other delegates might be unaware that at Caterpillar Inc. they have started Alternative Work Schedules (AWS) and Irregular Work Schedules (IWS) that are three thirteen-hour, twenty-minute days (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) over the weekend. The Alternative Work Schedule might also be three twelve’s (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) and four hours on Monday. I was planning to oppose this resolution from the floor, merely to point out the fact that in some places the eight-hour day is being violated. The plan was cut short when someone made a motion to bind the remaining resolutions together and vote on them. The motion passed with one person speaking in favor and one opposed then someone called for the question and the motion passed unanimously with myself abstaining.

To summarize: I along with the other four delegates from Members for CHANGE represented our active and retired membership as promised. We hand-delivered a letter with the issues we ran on to the International Executive Board; additionally we mailed the letter to the president’s office and to the media. We voted in favor of debating the retirees’ right to vote on contracts that took any benefits away from them. We met and networked with other delegates.

There is not an enormous difference between the strategy set forth by the UAW International and that of the recently split off Change to Win Coalition that left the AFL-CIO last year. They give lip service to ‘organizing the unorganized,’ while ignoring the needs of the already organized. The UAW allegedly will diversify their portfolio, leaving current active members at Delphi, Ford, GM and other major industrial manufacturing employers such as Caterpillar wondering whose survival are they worried about.

The UAW convention demonstrated that that the labor movement needs real change. We needed a labor movement that bases itself on the principals of democracy, solidarity and the recognition that an injury to one is an injury to all. There is no seniority date for dignity and justice.

#LasVegasNV #Commentary #AutoUnitedAutoWorkers #AutoworkersFightBack #UAW #Delphi

Las Vegas, NV – Richard Berg, a long-time leader in the Teamster reform movement in Chicago, was assaulted at the International Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada.

On Tuesday, June 27, Berg was nominated for vice president for the central region with the Tom Leedham slate. Leedham is Jimmy Hoffa’s opponent for president.

After his nomination, Berg was punched in the mouth by Richard Lopez, recording secretary of Local 743. Lopez is the head of the official delegation from Local 743. The 743 delegation tried unsuccessfully to block Berg’s nomination.

The assault occurred one hour after the announcement that Berg had survived the challenge and would be the candidate for vice president for the Central States region.

Berg was coming out of a Leedham meeting when Lopez and his group came down the corridor. Lopez started shouting insults at Berg and then struck him in front of witnesses.

Berg has filed battery charges against Lopez. The election supervisor stated that the Las Vegas police have a warrant out to arrest Lopez. Lopez hasn’t been seen at the convention since the attack.

Tom Leedham – Strong Pensions, Good Contracts Slate

Leedham, the leader of the reform movement, has come up with an aggressive local autonomy plan that gives more power to the rank and file as well as local officers. Leedham argues that the local unions know what’s happening on the ground. This attempt to revitalize democracy within the Teamsters may get some local officers’ support but it has been bitterly opposed by Hoffa and his top-down ‘Change to Win’ cronies.

Leedham also proposed to cap the salary of the International President at $200,000 a year and allow no other officer to make more. Hoffa did not even allow discussion on this issue. The ‘Strong Pensions, Good Contracts’ slate proposal for accountability of the union pension funds was similarly shot down.

But the attack by Lopez is the first time that Hoffa’s allies have turned to violence. Lopez is likely infuriated because he is facing charges filed by the Labor Board for having stolen the Local 743 officer elections in October 2004 from Richard Berg’s slate. As a result of this, Lopez and the other officers of Local 743 are under investigation by the U.S. attorney.

Speaking from the convention hotel, Berg had this to say about the desperate attempt by Lopez. “He knows that honest Teamster leadership will put an end to the gross corruption that now exists in 743.”

#LasVegasNV #News #Teamsters #TomLeedham #RichardBerg #JimmyHoffa

Las Vegas, NV – Teamster President James P. Hoffa got what he wanted – the largest union dues increase in Teamster history. The vote at the April 30 convention on finances was not even close.

How could this be? What kind of Teamster would vote for this huge increase? Especially in the face of massive corruption and waste from Teamster bureaucrats – how could this happen?

The answers are simple. Hoffa did not let the rank-and-file members of the union vote on the dues increase.

Instead, he convened a convention dominated by union hacks. The overwhelming majority of the voting convention delegates were Teamsters who receive far more dues money in salaries and perks than they are required to pay in union dues. These parasites simply voted for money for themselves at the expense of working Teamsters.

Despite Hoffa's best efforts to silence the voice of the rank and file, a courageous opposition spoke out against the dues increase. Ashley McNeely, a Honolulu-based member of Local 2000, spoke for most Teamsters from the convention floor, stating, “A vote to raise dues is a vote to allow the International to spend even more money on pork. Instead of raising the dues for hard working Teamster members, we should vote to cut the fat for high-paid Teamster officials.”

McNeely went on to point out the huge salaries that many Teamster union officials receive. She said that by cutting salaries to $100,000 a year and limiting officials to only one salary each, Teamsters could strengthen the strike fund and have huge sums of money left over.

Some locals around the country conducted phony votes, pretending that they had an impact. From the convention floor, Chicago Local 743 reform delegate Richard Berg called for a real vote. “We believe that the rank and file should have the right to vote on this issue. The rank and file do not like the fact that union leaders sneak off to Las Vegas after an election is over to raise their dues,” said Berg.

Hoffa did his best to keep his misdeeds a secret. Unlike past conventions, he barred all press, all guests and even Teamster members from the convention hall. No observers, and certainly no cameras, were allowed onto the convention floor.

Soon Teamsters across the country will realize that Hoffa is taking an even larger chunk of their pay. Instead of strengthening the fight for better working conditions, Hoffa wants to spend even more money supporting anti-union Republican Party candidates and marshmallow-soft Democratic Party candidates.

Why? Hoffa wants his buddy George Bush to remove government oversight from the Teamsters. This oversight has been embarrassing and costly. Just recently, former Hoffa running mate Bill Hogan and top Hoffa aide Dane Passo, both from Chicago, were caught making a sweetheart deal with the Las Vegas convention industry. The deal was designed to enrich both Passo and Hogan in return for allowing hundreds of low-wage non-union workers to replace union workers on the job.

And, by the way, who owned the non-union company where the subcontracted workers would come from? None other than Bill Hogan's brother.

As Hoffa looks after himself and his buddies, working Teamsters cannot stand idly by hoping that things will get better. The union contract between the Teamsters and United Parcel Service (UPS) is expiring. UPS is pushing for a quick settlement. Next year, the truck drivers' National Master Freight contract will expire.

These real issues affect real people. The fate of our contracts and our union will have repercussions in the labor movement beyond the Teamsters. The battle of rank-and-file Teamsters to create a union that fights in the interest of its working class members will have an impact on the future of all workers.

#LasVegasNV #News #Teamsters #HoffaJr #TeamstersLocal743 #unionDuesIncrease