Phone: (510) 569-9317 Fax: (510) 569-1906 * Meets Every Fourth Thursday at 8:00 p.m.
Hiring Hall: (510) 569-1203
BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS, AUTO TRUCK DRIVERS,
LINE DRIVERS, CAR HAULERS AND HELPERS
LOCAL NO. 70 OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
Affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters
70 HEGENBERGER ROAD * P.O. BOX 2270 * OAKLAND, CA 94621-0170



July 28, 1997

Craig Gonsalves
Castro Valley, CA 94546

Re: Letter Dated July 7, 1997

Dear Craig:

Please be advised that I am in receipt of a copy of your letter to Chuck Mack, dated July 7, 1997, it is not factual and very misleading, therefore, here are the facts:

1. Removal of Craig Gonsalves as a shop steward: There was no reason to notify your co-workers that you were removed as a shop steward because that's not true! The fact is you resigned on August 7, 1995, some two years ago. I have met with the Oakland Center and advised them who their shop stewards are and received no complaints. I have complied with your request and posted a notice that you resigned as a shop steward on August 7, 1995. Robert Alameda was not chosen to replace you, he was appointed to assist Jerry McCoy, who has bid into the feeder department, the fact of the matter is due to the merging of the Oakland and San Leandro Centers you were not replaced and I have not received one complaint! I would like to remind you that you were not elected as a shop steward after the ratification on the current contract, there was no interest by the members at that time for an election of shop stewards, so all of them were reappointed including yourself. I might note that you did not complain at the time nor did you ask for an election.

2. The charge of my refusing to let members pick and choose shop stewards is accurate. The shop stewards in their locations will handle the problems of that area. Shop stewards like Business Agents have to inform members at times, they are wrong, and there is a problem with members playing one steward against the other. I will not allow that! I might also inform you that the complaint in this area is from a few people, and you all seem to be writing similar letters!

3. I will not respond to you on the Maran Wilson issue because you were not there and don't know what happened, however, I will respond to the Maran Wilson letter regarding his problem.

4. The charge that I appointed Ton Geagan to replace Kim Marchant is not true! Tom Geagan is the shop steward for Alameda, when the Alameda and Broadway Centers were merged Tom has just continued his position as a shop steward, the same would have happened to you if you had not resigned.

5. This issue regarding Kim Marchant is none of your business, but for your information, I will respond to her letter.

6. You make the charge that I have informed a number of employees at UPS that they must conduct themselves in a proper manner or face charges before Local 70's Executive Board. That is not true. I challenge you to provide facts! The Dan Dugar incident you refer to, again, you don't have the facts and you were not there! Kim Marchant was at the meeting you refer to. The issue was Dan Dugar going off on Warren Evans in front of management. That is what was not acceptable! He was told, if he has a problem with his shop steward, it should be settled without management present. Dan and Kim both agreed. You have totally misrepresented the facts on your Freedom of Speech and Assembly issue. I have no problem with it and, in fact, encourage it.

7. The issue of shop steward elections: There will be shop steward elections in the near future because the contract is expiring, and it is time. I need to remind you again that upon ratification of the current contract, there was no interest, at that time, for shop stewards elections, so everyone was reappointed including yourself, with no objection!!!

8. I am the appointed Business Agent at UPS, elected by the members. I will continue to represent you the best I can, just as I have done in the past! Your memory is short, on your last discharge, I successfully represented you despite all the obstacles you put in my way, in fact, you thanked me for the job well done! I got Shop Steward Warren Evans (one of the appointed shop stewards you now complain about) who took a day off without pay, and went to panel, along with Dave Richie. They were outstanding witnesses and helped greatly in saving your job, despite your own damaging testimony. You have been fairly represented and that will continue! The members of Local 70 determine every three (3) years who represents them by having elections. I am very comfortable with that. I am, also, comfortable with representing you even though you make false and inaccurate charges against me because I know and understand you. However, I am totally disappointed, but not surprised, at your lack of communications with me, your failure to discuss the facts, sending an inaccurate and misleading letter and copying individuals outside of our organization, but that's OK, they will also learn to understand you, like I do! I am in favor of criticism, if it is constructive and healthy to you, me and the organization! Criticism comes with the job, but you have crossed the line, I will be taking appropriate legal action against you. I am not putting up with your mistaken and nonfactual complaints!

Fraternally,


Marty Frates
Business Agent

MF/mba
Ope.29.afl.cio

cc:
Ron Carey, IBT General President
Erin Belk, IBT Vice President
Bob Blanchet, IBT Representative
Ken Mee, IBT Western Conference Vice President
Ken Hall, IBT Small Package Division
Tom Gilmartin, IBT Eastern Conference Vice President, Chairman Ethical Practice Committee
Claude Brown, IBT Office of Strategic Affairs
Shannon Reeves, President, Oakland NAACP
Robert Chan, Esq.
Daniel Dugar, Dave Godinez, Kim Marchant, Eric Matthews and Maran Wilson
Joe Silva, President, Teamsters Local 70
Robert Alameda
UPS Package, Feeder and Hub Stewards

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