The Steward Secretary-Treasurer
STEVE MACK
March 6, 1998
Charles R. Engel
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
RE: Grievances at U.P.S.
Dear Brother Engel:
I am writing to correct your interpretation of the conversations that have taken place between us with regard to your grievances at U.P.S. You quote me as saying, "We really don't want to embarrass the Company," and you go on to say Mr. Mack was concerned the U.P.S. management would be embarrassed if they were criticized in front of their workers. You go on to quote me in other areas of your letter. Brother Engel, in my time as a B.A. I have embarrassed many managers, and will continue to do so when the situation calls for it, but more important, I make sure that our Stewards or myself do not embarrass the Teamsters. Moreover, in reading your letter I find myself wondering who you were speaking with? It apparently was not me, because any relationship between our conversations, and what you have quoted is purely coincidental.
Let me see if I can clarify the facts with regard to your grievance. During the last 18 months, you have been off work on stress leave, you have continued to be the Local 78 Steward. During this leave you attempted to go to the U.P.S. Hub to investigate a grievance, the manager refused to allow you on the property, and took away your employee pass. Business Agent Dan Varela processed a grievance on your behalf that could not be resolved with local management. Brother Varela presented, and won your grievance at the U.P.S. Panel. When Business Agent Dan Varela wrote a letter to the Company stating that if they were not going to comply with Grievance Panel decision, Local 78 was going to file a Federal Lawsuit to compel compliance.
In a discussion with you I told you that I was going to set up a meeting with the Company to try and resolve this matter. The meeting was held on February 13, 1998. In attendance were John Naddy (HR U.P.S.), Matt McLoone (Assistant Shop Steward), Dan Varela (Business Agent), you, and I. At the meeting the Company agreed to abide by the grievance decision. The Company agreed to return your pass, and allow you to come to the Hub on Union business even though you are still off work on stress leave.
As I told you, this was an issue that was bigger than Chuck Engel, it was about the Union, the Stewards, and their ability to represent our members. Brother Engel we won! Although, belatedly, we won!
At the meeting with John Naddy I told you that I would arrange a meeting at the U.P.S. Hub to meet with the new manager. That meeting was held on February 24, 1998, you did not attend, even though we all expected you to be there. I was later told that your doctor did not clear you to come to the building until some time in May. I told our members at the meeting that until you return to work from stress leave, the grievances should be handled by Shop Steward Matt McLoone, and Business Agent Dan Varela.
Brother Engel, just to make it clear, WE WON. Business Agent Dan Varela, and I thank you for all of your help in bringing this matter to a successful conclusion.
Fraternally,
Steve Mack
Secretary Treasurer
SM/lz
Cc:
JC 7
Dan Varela
Matt McLoone
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