Berg es el Presidente de la lista por un Nuevo Liderato del Local 743. Berg fue entrampado por un empleado, que a su vez fue pagado por la administración y los corruptos lideres del sindicato. En febrero 24, Berg fue llevado a una Corte Kangaroo (Corte Parcializada). Allí lo acusaron de racista. Los jueces y los corruptos líderes del sindicato rehusaron permitir la lectura de una petición en apoyo de Berg como evidencia. Esta petición fue firmada por más de 80 de sus compañeros de trabajo. Es de anotar que la petición fue firmada por casi todos los afro americanos del sindicato en HUC, la petición decía: “El compañero Berg siempre ha tratado a todos los miembros con dignidad y respeto de acuerdo con la (IBT) constitución y reglamento del Local 743. Nosotros estamos orgullosos de que el sea el representante (Steward) del Local 743 de la HUC.”

Berg esta esperando la decisión de los oficiales vendidos del Local. El puede recibir sanciones muy duras, tales como ser suspendido del comité de las negociaciones del UCH. Además, puede ser impedido de competir en contra de los corruptos líderes del Local 743. También, hay rumores de que puede ser expulsado del Internacional Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT).

Berg fue franco en la última Convención Internacional. De allí que se piense que Jimmy Hoffa, el actual presidente de los Teamsters, firme las sanciones decididas por su sequito.

Las elecciones robadas del 2001 condujeron a la lucha por las reformas del reglamento.

Robert Watson es el presidente del Local 743, el se tomo esta posición a través de medios ilegales. Richard Berg fue candidato a presidente y jefe de la lista por Nuevo Liderato del local sindical mencionado. Watson utilizo el poder que le da esta posición para seleccionar los jueces. Los jueces anularon cientos de votos en favor de Berg. Toda vía más, muchos más votos de una casilla postal fueron desaparecidos que eran en favor de Berg. De esta casilla postal había solo una llave y esta llave la tenia un miembro de la lista que encabezaba Watson.

Jim Fennerty es un abogado de la lista por un Nuevo Liderato del Local 743, señalo: “Esto es muy obvio. Se trata de un ataque a Berg por parte de la pandilla de Watson. Ellos están utilizando el poder que les dan las posiciones robadas para negar a los miembros del sindicato un Vocero.”

La coincidencia de estas acciones tan cronometradas no es un milagro. El 1 de marzo ocurrió una histórica elección sobre los s reglamentos del Local sindical. Por primera vez desde que el Local fue establecido en el 1938. La lista de la base realizo un gran esfuerzo para cambiar los reglamentos a través de una campana llamada de Dignidad y Respeto. Las falsas acusaciones a Berg son un atentado para derrotar este esfuerzo de los trabajadores.

El esfuerzo para cambiar el reglamento tenia el propósito de dar fuerza a los reclamos de los miembros de la base del Local 743. Los cambios requerían que los líderes vendidos del sindicato lucharan por los trabajadores y pararan de hacer negociaciones a espaldas de los trabajadores. Estos cambios requerían que el Local sindical informara a los miembros de sus derechos y más importante que se llamara a una elección limpia y transparente.

Watson como presidente del Local 743 no puede permitir que los trabajadores dirijan su sindicato y tengan voz y voto en sus asuntos. Es por esto, que Watson gasto miles de dólares del sindicato para derrotar estas propuestas. Como consecuencia de estas maniobras ilegales, Watson ha permitido que Richard Berg sea acusado con cargos totalmente falsos.

Durante la noche de la elección sobre los cambios al reglamento del Local 743, grupos de trabajadores marcharon a través del recinto de la unión, llamando a una elección limpia y justicia para Richard Berg.

#ChicagoIL #News #Teamsters #TeamstersLocal743 #NewLeadershipSlate #RichardBerg #TonyCaldera #BobWalston

Para los miembros del Local 743 de los Teamsters en Chicago, tener oficiales vendidos es muy común. Los votos amanados en los contratos, votos amanados para elegir delegados en las fábricas, negociaciones a espaldas de los trabajadores con los patrones, éstas y otra variedad de quejas son actualmente el estado normal en nuestra Unión.

Pero esta vez si se pasaron cuando nos informaron que el dinero se había terminado 16 millones de Dólares, muchos trabajadores sospechan que es un robo. Ese dinero era para cubrir el Plan de Salud de los miembros y su familia del Local 743.

El Fondo de Salud y Bienestar del Local 743 era el Seguro de Salud para miles de Teamsters que trabajan en docenas de lugares de trabajo, como quiera que sea incompetencia o robo el dinero se acabó.

La cobertura del Plan de Salud ha sido drasticamente reducido o eliminado con muy poca o nada de información. Algunos trabajadores no pueden comprar sus medicinas, otros trabajadores se vieron obligados a suspender su tratamiento dental antes de que se completara. Esposas embarazadas están preocupadas por no saber como le van hacer para pagar su parto.

Están estos trabajadores molestos? ¡Claro que si! Cientos de miembros del 743, se presentaron temprano a la reunión regular de junio. Ellos hicieron una línea de piquete aclamando y exigiendo por la renuncia del Comité Ejecutivo del Local 743. Los escritos en los cartones y las consignas se escucharon en Español, Ingles y Polaco, mostrando la unidad en la menbresía que es muy diversa.

¿Por qué usted no respeta el contrato que negoció? Demandaba el delegado sindical Edwin Soto de la compañía Flextek, trabajadores de Bagcraft, preguntaban al Secretario Tesorero Robert Walston, porque permitió que el fondo se fuera a bancarrota? Uno tras otro, los trabajadores demandaban en el micrófono una respuesta de José Galván, Vicepresidente del Local 743, quién solo respondía habla con tu agente de negocios. Después de la reunión los trabajadores gritaban “queremos respuestas”.

Finalmente Robert Walston, Director del Fondo para el Bienestar y la Salud del Local 743, contó la historia de la mala administración del Fondo. Pero a él se le olvidó mencionar como sus aliados Chester Glanton y el Secretario de Acuerdos del Local 743, Richard López, habían estado a cargo del Plan de Seguro, cuando el dinero desapareció. Tampoco mencionó las negociaciones que él y otros agentes de negocios del Local 743, hicieron con los patrones lo que provocó que el Fondo quebrara.

Kathy Kleckner, oficinista de la Universidad de Chicago, tomó el micrófono después de que Waston contó su versión: -¡Hermano Waston nos acabas de contar la historia de tu propia incompetencia, yo pienso que tu y todo el Comité Ejecutivo debe de renunciar inmediatamente!– ¡Esta propuesta retumbó con el apoyo de los trabajadores y docenas mas tomaron el micrófono para exijir justicia!.

Los Oficiales de la Vieja Guardia ya no pudieron aguantar, abruptamente ellos terminaron la reunión en contra de los deseos de la mayoría presente. Ellos han mostrado falta de respeto y desdén para los trabajadores que pagan sus salarios. Los trabajadores seguían gritando y ellos se apresuraron a bajarse del estrado, después ellos apagaron las luces cuando todavía permanecían muchos trabajadores en el salón. Ellos nos faltaron al respeto de la misma manera que lo hacen los patrones, explicó Cesar Sosa.

Los trabajadores se han dado cuenta de como son ellos, ellos nos quitaron el Seguro de Salud, ellos negociaron solo centavos por aumento y se pagan incrementos a sus salarios ellos mismos.

Cesar Sosa, es parte de la oposición. El fue electo recientemente como Delegado para la Convención Internacional de los Teamsters del 2001, como parte de la planilla del Nuevo Liderazgo 743, que busca Cambiar la Unión Corrupta desde arriba hasta abajo.

Despues de la reunión General del Local 743, el Presidente Chester Glanton renunció y fue reemplazado por el Secretario Tesorero Robert Walston.

Esto no es ningún cambio dijo Richard Berg, miembro de La Planilla Nuevo Liderazgo, ellos son parte de la misma planilla de Hoffa, la planilla que nos quitó el Seguro de Salud y los Incrementos Salariales decentes y ya no podemos permitir que ellos nos quiten mas. Ya es tiempo de que Hoffa, Walston, Lopez y el resto de ellos se larguen.

Tony Caldera, trabajador de la fábrica de lámparas Frederick Cooper, también delegado electo de la planilla Nuevo Liderazgo 743, está de acuerdo con sus compañeros recalcando, es tiempo de que la “Vieja Guardia” se largue. Por eso es que la planilla Nuevo Liderazgo 743 vamos a apoyar al reformador Tom Leedham para presidente Internacional en el próximo verano y también nosotros vamos a participar con nuestra planilla localmente en contra de la Vieja Guardia.

#ChicagoIL #News #Teamsters #TeamstersLocal743 #TonyCaldera #JimWalston #HealthAndWelfareFund

El equipo de líderes corruptos que corren el local hicieron trampa en la elección previa para que Caldera perdiera. Apareció que hubo más votos de lo que hubo en personas trabajando en la companía Chicago Lamp.

Continuando con la elección corrupta la unión tenía un representante leal y la companía tenía a alguien que no les daba muchos problemas. El agente de la unión, Richard López, casi nunca se vio. Y cuando iba a la companía, esquivaba a los trabajadores, y se metía a la oficina del presidente para tener una junta en privado.

Recientemente cuando una de las ocupaciones estuvo vacante, López trato de poner a uno de sus seguidores en lugar de haber hacho una elección. Siguiendo el ejemplo de López, su representante se la pasaba tomando café en sus tiempos libres con el jefe ignorando las necesidades de los trabajadores.

Después de varias semanas de que los trabajadores vieran esto pensaron que ya era suficiente. Comenzaron a organizar juntas en la casa de uno de los trabajadores, hablaron de sus problemas y de las negociaciones del contrato de la unión que venían. Decidieron presionar a Richard López para que hubiera una elección limpia. Con esto se aseguraban que se elegiría a Tony Caldera.

Tony se conocía como una persona que no temía confrontar a los jefes o los líderes corruptos de la unión. Él había postulado para Vice Presidente del local 743 como parte del grupo reformista New Leadership (Nuevo Liderazgo) (Vea ¡Defiéndete! del invierno de 1999.) Como inmigrante de México, tenía reputación por todo el local 743 como alguien que peleaba por los derechos de los trabajadores sin importar donde hubieran nacido.

La fe de los trabajadores para con Caldera parece estar bien puesta. Después de su elección victoriosa dijo, “Yo tomo café con los trabajadores, no con el jefe. Cuando los trabajadores están unidos pueden proteger sus derechos y negociar mejores contratos. Y eso es lo que haremos aquí.”

#ChicagoIL #News #Teamsters #TeamstersLocal743 #TonyCaldera #FredrickCooperLamp

I moved to Chicago from Zacateca, Mexico many years ago. As a Mexicano I have had to fight for my rights my whole life. The United States calls itself the land of the free, but it treats Latinos as second-class citizens, no matter what our legal status.

I worked for 25 years at the Frederick Cooper Lamp Factory. My coworkers and I made some of the most beautiful and most expensive lamps in the world. But we were treated poorly and paid less because we were African American, or in my case an immigrant from Mexico. Most of the workforce was Latino but some were immigrants from Poland, the Philippines, China, Korea and other places.

The location of the factory is in a neighborhood that has been gentrified. Last year, the owners of the factory decided to sell the building for millions of dollars and move on to other things. They decided to throw the workers out on the street with no pension, no severance, no nothing.

Our story is often repeated across the country. Progressives will say, “That is why you need a union.” But we had a union. We are members of a pathetic union that will always make a deal with the boss rather than fight for the workers, Teamsters Local 743. After the boss told us they would close and that we would get nothing, we were asked to vote to accept it.

The Teamster Local 743 business agent, Jimmy Burns, told us, “If you do not accept this offer you will lose your vacation pay that you are owed.” But we knew how to fight with or without the sellout union officials; we had done it before. We organized meetings near the work site. We contacted the local community organization that was fighting gentrification, the Logan Square Neighborhood Association. Together the workers and the community put pressure on the Alderman to keep the factory property zoned for manufacturing unless our demands were met.

We voted down the closing agreement. Rather than support us, union business agent Burns said, “Stupid Mexicans, you don’t know what you are losing.” Burns was wrong. Through pickets and a threatened strike we got a few thousand dollars for each worker and will get a few thousand more when the company sells the parking lots. We did this while upholding the community’s demands against gentrification.

With a fighting union we would have done better. We know that we do not even have equality within our own union. Another example that shows this happened in Chicago in 2004, when the Silver Capital company decided to close. It was a chemical factory that plated mirrors and picture frames with silver. Many of the immigrant workers there were undocumented. Local 743 vice-president Jose Galvan negotiated a closing agreement like the one at Frederick Cooper, with no severance, and without even the 60-day notice required by law. When the workers protested, Galvan threatened to call the INS.

Immigrants and all workers need fighting unions. That is why we have joined and help lead the 743 New Leadership Slate. The 743 New Leadership Slate is an organization that wants to kick out these sellout union hacks. We will make this a union that fights for the rights of all workers.

I have run for union office, only to have the election illegally stolen. Our union officials are currently in federal court trying to explain their wrongdoing. In the 743 New Leadership Slate we remain firm in our resolve to turn this union into one that belongs to all the workers. We want a union that fights for full equality of all workers.

We have united with the immigration movement in Chicago. Our union officers told us to go to work on the days of the big March 10 and May 1 marches. Then they went to the march to take photos of themselves. The demand for full equality within the immigration movement is our demand. We need to stand together and win it.

We work nationally with Teamsters for a Democratic Union. We know that we need to elect new union officials at all levels so we are supporting Tom Leedham and his entire slate. Leedham's call to organize all Teamsters to stand in solidarity fighting for better working conditions is a lot different than current Teamster president Jimmy Hoffa. Hoffa is a master of PR and photo opportunities. His policy toward Latinos, African Americans and women is one of tokenism. This is intolerable.

We want a fighting union now! We want full equality now! We are willing to do whatever it takes to get it.

#ChicagoIL #Commentary #Teamsters #TeamstersLocal743 #TonyCaldera #CooperLamp

Chicago, IL – The company and the union officials agreed: The workers would get nothing. These workers that had made the company owners rich by making lamps to be sold to wealthy people around the world, these workers, would now get nothing. The company was being sold and their jobs would be eliminated. Most had worked in this factory for more than 25 years and now they would get nothing.

The owners of the Frederick Cooper Lamp Company had sold the company name. They had sold the factory building to a developer who intended to turn the property into luxury condominiums. While this would make millions and millions of dollars for the owners, it would leave more than 100 workers without a job. The plan was to take the money and run. Give the workers nothing.

The owners thought that they had it made. The officials of Teamsters Local 743, which represents the Frederick Cooper workers, had agreed to the deal. “Whether they are stupid, corrupt or some combination, we are not sure, but the effect was the same, we were being sold out by the union,” said 21-year employee Esmeralda Cuevas, “and we were not going to take it.”

The workers voted down the closing agreement. Not once but twice. The union told them if they did not accept it they would lose all their vacation time and the annual bonus that had been negotiated five years earlier. Despite this, the workers said “No!” in overwhelming numbers. As he was leaving the factory after the vote, Local 743 business agent Jimmy Burns said, “Dumb Mexicans, now you will lose everything.”

This insult from the their union official outraged the workers. Many of the workers were immigrants from Mexico, as well as Poland and many other countries. Many were born in Chicago or somewhere else in the United States. But they all understood that they would have to stick together in solidarity if they were to make any gains.

A meeting was organized by the 743 New Leadership Slate (743 NLS). Frederick Cooper workers Tony Caldera and Esmeralda Cuevas had run for union office on the 743 NLS ticket and had the respect of all the workers. The 743 NLS helped the workers organize a list of demands and reach out to allies in the community.

The workers found out that the community did not want the factory to shut down either. They appreciated the union jobs in the area and did not want high-price condominiums to change their working-class neighborhood. The workers at the Cooper and Logan Square Neighborhood Association, along with community leaders, religious leaders and others formed the Cooper Task Force. The goal was to fight for a good severance package for the workers as well as to keep the land zoned for manufacturing where Frederick Cooper is located. The community wanted to keep living wage jobs in their neighborhood.

First Ward Alderman Manny Flores was asked to support the demands. At a ward meeting called by the alderman and again at a Cooper Task Force speakout, hundreds united to support the demands of the community as well as a call for a decent severance agreement. The alderman spoke in favor of the demands that the workers and community put forward.

The workers, led by the 743 NLS, decided to call for an informational picket one day after the first shift. The hope was to pressure the company before its big lamp sale. The alderman and the community showed up to voice their support, but the real story was the solidarity of the workers. Chants in Polish, English and Spanish showed everyone that these workers could not be divided. Many had never been on a picket line before, but their voices became stronger and stronger as they grew more confident. Because of the wide press coverage the union heads finally felt compelled to do something.

Local 743 executive board member Reginald Ford told the workers that if they did not have a good agreement by the time of the company lamp sale that they would go on strike. The workers were cautious of his words because they had been sold out by these officials so many times.

After Ford’s announcement the union disappeared. With a possible strike looming, the workers started to organize themselves. Where would the pickets be put up? How could we have the biggest impact on the lamp sale? Who would contact the press? They would need to translate everything into several languages. How would this be done? Who would get the materials to make the signs?

The company got the message that the workers were serious and planned to frustrate the lamp sale. The owners, afraid of losing their own ‘severance,’ finally made an offer. The alderman and Ford emerged to present the offer just before the workers had said that they would strike. The offer included $2000 for each worker, their vacation, profit sharing and two months of health insurance paid for by the company. Also, when the parking lots around the factory were sold, the workers would get a portion of the money from the sale.

“When you fight, you can win,” said Tony Caldera, “our union leaders think too much like the bosses. We need to change our union so that they fight for the workers instead of always making deals. Our labor made millions of dollars for the owners of Frederick Cooper, yet we had to fight all out against the company and the union to get any severance at all.”

#ChicagoIL #ImmigrantRights #News #Teamsters #TeamstersLocal743 #NewLeadershipSlate #TonyCaldera #CooperLamp

By the end of that day, the workers had won back the 40-hour week. The company was forced to put them back to work because the workers fought back.

Tony Caldera and Esmeralda Cuevas started the day by passing out copies of Fight Back!, the Summer 2004 issue, before work. The workers read the story about how the company had attacked them in May, taking away a day of pay every week.

Caldera explained, “The story exposed that the officers in our union, Teamsters Local 743, had sold us out. Our representative, ‘Shorty’ Burnes, had refused to file a grievance over the cutback in hours. The president of the local, Robert Walston, was not interested in our problem. He must have already agreed to this with the company.”

As a union steward, Caldera had wanted to fight for the workers, but was faced with the sellout response from the officials. Caldera is also a candidate for union officer with the 743 New Leadership Slate.

Showdown at High Noon

A stooge for the company had given a copy of Fight Back! to a manager. Workers came up to Tony and Esmeralda to warn them that they had seen bosses reading the paper.

At lunchtime, Caldera was approached and told there was a call for him in the office. It was the union representative.

“Why did you say I wouldn’t file a grievance?” demanded Burnes. Caldera responded, “Because you told me you wouldn’t do it,” as managers stood around. “I said I would file individual grievances for each worker,” said Burnes. Caldera came back, “And I told you that the workers were afraid to do that and wanted to file a group grievance. You have to file the grievance the way we want.” With that, Burnes hung up on him.

When the workers went home that evening, some of those who had lost their Friday work schedule were told to come in the next morning. By the next week, the entire shift was back at work.

Cuevas said, “The article in Fight Back! had an impact.” Caldera had been quoted threatening to file the grievance on his own, or to go to the Labor Board. Fifty workers had already taken action, confronting Walston at the union offices. Four other workers stepped forward and were quoted in the newspaper. The company and the union sellouts could see that the workers were joining together and fighting back, under the leadership of the 743 New Leadership Slate. They had to do something to give in to that power.

Only Way to Win is the 743 New Leadership Slate

In campaigning for office, Tony had visited General Products, another factory on the North Side where workers are represented by Local 743. There he learned that the union had agreed to the same deal as Frederick Cooper – a four-day workweek, rather than layoffs. One worker at General Products, an Assyrian woman, had said, “Lay us off. That way we can collect unemployment or look for another job. With four days a week of work, all we can do is starve.” The workers there knew as well that the union was in bed with management. “Walston accepts the cut in our hours because if we are laid off, he won’t collect union dues. He doesn’t care about our lives,” said Caldera. “In order to win, we need to vote Walston out, to vote for the 743 New Leadership Slate.”

Now that everyone is back at work, the next problem is the lost wages. “We were two months without working on Fridays,” said Cuevas. The NLS is continuing the fight for this through their legal team headed by National Lawyer’s Guild president Jim Fennerty.

For Cuevas, the struggle left her in high spirits. “We must continue to struggle until total victory.”

#ChicagoIL #News #Teamsters #TeamstersLocal743 #NewLeadershipSlate #TonyCaldera

Chicago, IL – When 50 angry Teamsters confronted their union president, Robert Walston, he arrogantly demanded to know who they were. “I’ve been paying dues to you for 15 years, and you don’t know who I am?” replied Manuel Rico. Rather than learning who Rico was, Walston turned his back on the group and walked away.

The workers came from the Frederick Cooper factory on Chicago’s North Side. Their company had just told them their workweek was being reduced from 40 hours a week to 32 hours. They went to the offices of International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 743, because the union representative, Jimmy ‘Shorty’ Burnes, had told them they couldn’t fight this attack.

The workers’ union steward, Tony Caldera, told them otherwise. “I read the contract. Under the section called ‘Workweek,’ it says, ‘The regular workweek shall consist of forty (40) hours...’ They can’t change our workweek without negotiating.”

“We had already prepared a grievance against the company, but Burnes refused to accept it,” related Caldera. “I knew right away that the union hacks had already made a deal behind our backs. We had to let them know we wouldn’t stand for it.”

Rank and File Leadership Shows the Way

Friday, May 28, was the first day that the new 32-hour schedule left them with no work. Caldera urged his co-workers to show up for work that morning anyway. “We went from the factory to the offices of the local. We told Walston that he violated the contract without coming to us.”

Ruben Martinez, one of the other workers, said to Burnes, “You sold us out for four lamps.” The Frederick Cooper factory makes lamps, and the workers have seen management give the union bureaucrats gifts of lamps on many occasions over the years. Martinez and Ruben Quintero had helped Burnes put four lamps in his trunk in November 2003.

When Walston stonewalled them, the Frederick Cooper workers left the offices to make plans for their next step. “If the union won’t process that grievance, we’ll file it again,” said Caldera. “If they refuse again, we’ll take them to the Labor Board for failure to represent us.”

The workers want back pay for all hours lost. They want the 40-hour week reinstated. And they want their union officials to start doing their jobs.

The company claims that business is slow. But some work has already been subcontracted. The plant also makes lampshades, and up to 400 shades a week are being made by a non-union company owned by a family member of one of the managers. “They didn’t give us a chance to learn to make the shades,” explained Rico. “They gave us only one week. One woman with 29 years at the plant was fired when the manager wasn’t satisfied with her performance.” When this happened, the union bureaucrats did nothing to fight her firing.

Vote For the New Leadership Slate

Caldera was not surprised by the treachery from the officers of Local 743. He was a candidate for union office in 2001 with the 743 New Leadership Slate. This slate of workers beat the Walston gang in a delegate race for the national convention that spring. In the fall, they won the local officer races, but the crooks stole the election.

Since that day, Caldera has continued to fight the gangsters that run the union. And this fall, he will stand again as a candidate for local office with the New Leadership Slate.

Caldera put it directly. “We have to demand that Walston and Burnes do their jobs. But we know that we won’t get decent representation until those guys are gone.”

Caldera is running again with Local 743 presidential candidate Richard Berg. The New Leadership Slate has doubled their efforts for the election this fall. Nominations happen on Sept. 1 and they are ready for a fierce campaign. Caldera summed up the situation this way: “Walston has no support among the members. If we can get a fair election, we’ll win.”

#ChicagoIL #News #Teamsters #TeamstersLocal743 #NewLeadershipSlate #TonyCaldera #BobWalston

Berg, President of the New Leadership Slate in Local 743, was set up by an employee who was bought off by management and the corrupt union officials. On Feb. 24, Berg was put through a kangaroo court. The charge against him was racism. The judges – members of the union’s corrupt executive board – refused to allow a petition in support of Brother Berg to be read as evidence. The statement, signed by over 80 of his co-workers, almost all African Americans, states: “Brother Berg has always treated members with the dignity and respect consistent with the IBT Constitution and Local 743 bylaws. We are proud that he is a Local 743 union steward at UCH.”

Berg now awaits the decision of the sell-out officials of the local. He could face stiff fines, removal as a steward and member of the bargaining committee at UCH, and, most important to the corrupt leadership of the local, he could be barred from challenging them for union office. There is talk that they could even kick him out of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Berg was outspoken at the last International Convention. Therefore, current International union president of the Teamsters, Jimmy Hoffa, Jr., is expected to rubber stamp the actions taken by his flunkies.

2001 Stolen Election Leads to Bylaws Fight

The president of the Local, Robert Walston, Jr., placed himself in office by illegal means. Richard Berg ran for president as the head of the New Leadership Slate. Walston used his power of union office to hand pick the election judge. The judge voided hundreds of ballots of Berg’s supporters. In addition, many more ballots disappeared from a post office box – a box for which there was only one key, possessed by another member of Walston’s slate.

Jim Fennerty, lawyer for the New Leadership Slate, stated, “It’s obvious that this is an attack by the Walston gang. They are using their stolen positions to deny the members any voice at all in the union.”

The timing of this action is no coincidence. On March 1, an historic vote is taking place on the bylaws of the local. For the first time since the local union was founded in 1938, a rank-and-file effort to change the bylaws is occurring – called the Dignity and Respect Campaign. The assault on Berg is an attempt to defeat this effort.

The proposed bylaw changes are: 1) That the union will fight for the dignity and respect of all Local 743 members in the face of all exploitation and all oppression – be if from management of any other source. 2) That a copy of the union contract should be made available to all workers. If the majority or a large number of workers speak a language other than English, the contract should be made available in that language as well. 3) That union officials should stop stealing votes. We demand fair elections. When the executive board runs for re-election they should not appoint the person who mails and counts the ballots. It should be someone all candidates respect.

Tony Caldera, another officer of the New Leadership Slate, said, “The crooks that stole the last election have lost all legitimacy among the members. They are resorting to more dirty tricks to shore up their unlawful power.”

Kangaroo Court on Trumped-up Charges

Walston’s executive board moved with deliberate speed to bring Berg up on charges. What were they? Marthea Randolph, an employee in the same department as Richard complained that he was rude to her. She claims that he told her she was ignorant. “I never said it,” stated Brother Berg. “I did tell her she didn’t want to be ignorant of the Dignity and Respect Campaign.”

Randolph has never lifted a finger to join in any of the battles that workers at UCH have fought. Now she has accepted 30 pieces of silver to serve Richard up to management and the union hacks.

Chantell Harlin, another co-worker, stated to the officials at the trial, “Richard Berg is no racist. He’s one of us. He’s always fought all out for everyone, no matter who they are. He’s our friend; we struggle, we party and we live under the same working conditions together.”

According to Tony Caldera, this is happening now because, “Walston can’t stand to hear our voices. He tolerates no dissent. He collaborates with management. We’re exposing him and he wants to silence us.”

The New Leadership Slate is demanding that the charges against Berg be dropped and urges all workers to turn out to the Local meeting on March 1 to vote for the Dignity and Respect Campaign.

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Chicago, IL – For the members of Teamsters Local 743, being sold out by their union officials is a commonplace event. Rigged votes on contracts, rigged votes for union stewards, back room deals with the boss around grievances and contract issues is the normal state of affairs.

But this time union officials had gone too far. They said the money was gone – $16 million. Many workers suspected theft. This money was supposed to cover the health care costs of Local 743 members and their families. The Local 743 Health and Welfare Fund was the health insurance for thousands of Teamsters working at dozens of workplaces.

Whether because of incompetence or theft, the money was gone. The health care coverage was being drastically reduced or eliminated with little or no notice at all. Some workers could no longer afford their prescription drugs, some had to stop dental procedures before they were completed, and pregnant spouses were left wondering how they could ever pay for the upcoming delivery.

Hacks Under Fire

Hundreds of Local 743 members showed up early for the regular June meeting. They set up a picket line calling for the resignation of the Local 743 Executive Board. The unity of the diverse membership was shown by signs and chants in English, Spanish and Polish. “Why won't you honor the contract that you negotiated?” Flextek union steward Edwin Soto demanded. Workers from Bagcraft wanted to know why Secretary Treasurer Robert Walston had forced a Health and Welfare Fund that was going bankrupt on them.

Worker after worker went to the microphone to demand answers. Local 743 Vice President Jose Galvin would only say “Talk to your business agent after the meeting.” Workers shouted they wanted answers now.

Finally, Robert Walston, chairman of the Local 743 Health and Welfare Fund, reluctantly came to the microphone and told a story of how the Fund had been mismanaged. He failed to mention how his allies, Chester Glanton and Local 743 Recording Secretary Richard Lopez, had been in charge of the insurance plan when all the money disappeared. He also failed to mention the deals that he and other Local 743 business agents made with employers that allowed the Fund to go broke.

University of Chicago clerical worker Kathy Kleckner took the microphone after Walston's sob story, “Brother Walston, you have just told us a story of your own incompetence. I think you and the entire executive board should resign immediately.” This statement brought thunderous cheers of approval and dozens more workers went to the microphone to demand justice.

The old-guard union officials could take no more. They abruptly adjourned the meeting, against the will of the overwhelming majority present. They had shown disrespect and contempt for the Local 743 members who pay their salaries. With workers still shouting at them, they rushed off the stage. They turned out the lights with many workers still in the hall.

“They disrespect us the same as the boss does,” explained Cesar Sosa. “The workers see them for what they are now. They have taken our health insurance, they negotiate only pennies in raises and they pay themselves huge salaries.” Cesar Sosa is part of the opposition. He was recently elected delegate to the 2001 Teamsters International Convention as part the 743 New Leadership Slate. The 743 New Leadership Slate is looking to change the corrupt union from top to bottom.

Local 743 Gangsters

The Health and Welfare Fund was founded in the 1950's and administered by the infamous mobster Alan Dorfman. Dorfman was murdered while out on bail with then Teamster President Roy Williams and mafia hitman Joey “the Clown” Lombardo. Following Dorfman's death, his son David took over administering the Fund. When Teamster reformer Ron Carey took power, he placed the local in trusteeship. The fund stayed healthy until Hoffa/Dorfman associate Chester Glanton was elected President of Local 743.

Time for Change

Just after the union meeting, Local 743 President Chester Glanton resigned. Secretary Treasurer Robert Walston has replaced him. “This is no change at all,” said 743 New Leadership Slate member Richard Berg, “They are all part of the same Hoffa Take Back Slate, the slate that took back health insurance and took back decent wage increases. We can't afford to let them take back anymore. It is time for Hoffa, Walston, Lopez and all the rest to go.”

Tony Caldera, a worker at the Frederick Cooper Lamp factory and also an elected delegate on the 743 New Leadership Slate agreed, “It is time for the old guard to go.” That is why the 743 New Leadership Slate is going to support reformer Tom Leedham for International President this fall and run a slate locally against the old guard.

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Leedham is the Teamster reform movement's candidate for General President. The reform movement, lead by Teamster for a Democratic Union (TDU), is looking to energize rank-and-file Teamsters to overthrow the current corrupt leadership.

“The Teamsters belongs to the members. We can't allow union officials that only care about their big salaries and personal power to dominate our union,” Leedham told Adelante (TDU's Spanish language newspaper), “By standing together, we can win better contracts for the members and a better future for our families.”

Teamster activists recently finished a petition drive in support of Tom Leedham and his Rank & File Power Slate. 35,000 signatures were needed to give the reform slate official recognition. Leedham supporters collected over 60,000 signatures. This accomplishment allows Leedham free space in the October issue of Teamster Magazine, which is mailed to all Teamsters.

The incumbent slate, headed by the infamous Jimmy Hoffa Jr., was found guilty of using resources paid for with union members' dues money. “This sort of corruption is common with these old-guard officials,” said Chicago Local 743 activist Maimi Burrell, “they think nothing of rigging an election for steward, delegate or local officers. In this case they cheated on gathering signatures. They are crooked, and that's why we are going to get rid of them.”

The Election Administrator for the International Brotherhood of the Teamsters ruled that Hoffa would have to start his petition drive over.

The next important battleground will be the election of delegates to the union's International Convention to be held in June 2001. At the convention, candidates will be nominated. Then the race is on, with the final vote in the fall of 2001.

“Are you with the workers, or are you with the bosses? The difference between us and them is that striking,” said Chicago Leedham supporter Richard Berg, “2001 will be a big year for us in the Teamsters. We need to work hard now to put this great union in the hands of the workers.”

Many reformers will be attending the TDU convention November 3-5 in Cleveland, Ohio.

For more information contact TDU: (313) 842-2600

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The corrupt Teamster bosses who run the local had rigged the previous election so Caldera would lose. It turns out more ballots were cast in that election than there were Teamsters working in the Chicago lamp company.

Following this corrupt election, the union misleaders had a loyal steward and the company had someone who would not give them too much trouble. The union business agent, Richard Lopez, was almost never seen. When he did come to the company, he would dodge the workers and go into the president's office for a private meeting.

Recently, when there was a steward vacancy, Lopez tried to appoint one of his followers rather than hold an election. Following Lopez's example, his steward would spend her free time drinking coffee with the boss and ignoring the needs of rank and file workers.

After several weeks of this the workers had enough. They started organizing meetings at the nearby home of a worker, they talked about their problems and the upcoming union contract negotiations. They decided to pressure Richard Lopez to hold a steward election, to make sure it was fair, and to elect Tony Caldera.

Tony had a history of standing up to the boss as well as to the corrupt union leaders. He had run for Vice President of the local on the reform 743 New Leadership Slate. As an immigrant from Mexico, he had a reputation throughout Local 743 as someone who fought for the rights of all workers no matter where they were born.

The workers' faith in Caldera seems well placed. After his election victory he said, “I drink coffee with the workers, not the boss. When the workers are united they can protect their rights and negotiate better contracts. That is what we will do here.”

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