Maran Wilson
Hercules, California 94547
July 8, 1997
Chuck Mack
Secretary Treasure
TEAMSTER LOCAL #70
70 Hegenberger Road
Oakland, California 94621-0170
Certified # P 268 660 459
Dear Chuck:
I am addressing this correspondence to you because you are the Principal
Executive Officer of Teamster Local 70. Section 8 (D & E) of the Local
70 Bylaws indicates the duties of the Principal Executive Officer. Section
8 (D) states; "The principal officer shall have the authority to interpret
these Bylaws and decide all questions of law thereunder, between meetings
of the Local Union Executive Board". Section 8 (E) states; "The
principal officer shall enforce the International Constitution and these
Bylaws adopted by this Union and shall ensure that all officers perform
their respective duties".
On Thursday, June 26, 1997, a meeting took place at the United Parcel Service
Oakland Hub. Present at the meeting were Business Representative Marty
Frates, Oakland Metro Manager Gary Medeiros, and alleged Shop Stewards
Tom Geagan and Warren Evans. During the meeting, Marty Frates stated; "Maran
you are no longer a shop steward". I asked him why and he said; "When
you move from one job to another you lose your status". I was humiliated
and shocked to learn this in the midst of a corrective interview with the
Hub Manager. I was not told if this decision was a contract interpretation,
mandated by the bylaws or deemed compulsory for some other reason that
I am not aware of. By announcing that I am no longer a steward, at that
particular time, Mr. Frates denied me protection from discrimination afforded
shop stewards under the National Labor Relations Act. This was done during
a meeting in which it was the duty of Marty Frates to protect my rights.
Mr. Frates had not formally notified myself nor any other employees that
I am no longer a shop steward prior to the meeting. This information has
not been disseminated to my coworkers at the time of this writing.
Marty Frates has informed a number of our Teamster brothers and sisters
that they must use a steward that he has chosen or face charges before
the Executive Board of Local 70. Section
14 (F) of the Local 70 Bylaws states; "Business Agents shall be
empowered to appoint the Steward or Stewards at their respective terminals,
etc., provided that they first give those involved the opportunity for
election of such". Mr. Frates has failed to do this at the UPS
Oakland Hub. I will not allow Marty Frates to represent me. I have a right
to demand that an ethical Business Representative, that follows the Bylaws,
or a duly elected or appointed steward be present. A steward must represent
the best interests of a worker and not the personal agenda of a union official
or officials.
Fraternally,
Maran Wilson
cc:
Rev. H. A. Newman, Pastor, Bethlehem Baptist Church
Shannon Reeves, President, Oakland Chapter NAACP
Claude Brown, Chairman, National Black Caucus, I.B.T.
Robert Chan, Esq.
Ron Carey, President, International Brotherhood of Teamsters
Marty Frates, Business Representative, Teamster Local 70