November 11, 1997
Chuck Mack
Secretary-Treasurer
TEAMSTER LOCAL #70
70 Hegenberger Road
Oakland, California 94621-0170
Certified # P 094 128 766
RE: STEWARD ELECTION AT UNITED PARCEL SERVICE
Dear Brother Mack:
Thank you for the prompt reply to our letter of
November 6, 1997. Yes, we are quite interested in learning about the
election process at Local 70.
You have not addressed our primary concern. The majority of our stewards
have been appointed in violation of our Bylaws and the preamble to the
Local 70 Rules and Regulations for Shop Stewards (RRSS).
The stewards they replaced were removed from office in violation of Rule
5 of The RRSS . The RRSS do not supercede the by-laws. Stewards, who
support Ron Carey, were illegally removed from office and a democratic
election was not offered. The current situation is a flagrant violation
of the Local 70 by-laws. Therefore we demand steward elections immediately.
We sincerely appreciate your interest in the steward elections.
Fraternally,
Felix Reyes
Michael Medina
James Walker
Maran Wilson
Kim Marchant
Dave Godinez
cc:
Ron Carey, General President, International Brotherhood of Teamsters
Mike Lewis, Chairman, I.B.T. Ethical Practice Committee
Benetta Mansfield, I.B.T. Election Officer
Marty Frates, Business Representative, Teamster Local 70
Gabe Ybarrolaza, Business Representative, Teamster Local 70
1. 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."
2. The Preamble of the RRSS states; "The Steward is an elected working
member. Alternate stewards are elected also, except on a temporary basis
to allow for regular steward absence. All shifts shall elect their own
stewards. He shall endeavor at all times to create conditions and maintain
harmonious co-worker relationship; at all times conduct himself in such
a manner as to set a good example for all members. The shop steward is
the key to building a strong democratic labor movement. At no time shall
these rules be misconstrued by a steward, individual or persons to their
benefit and empower them with irregular, dictatorial or authoritative advantage
over others.
3. Rule 5 of the RRSS states; "No shop steward shall be removed from
the job of shop steward unless he has charges preferred against him in
writing and signed by the member or members making such charges. The shop
steward shall then be notified in the manner prescribed by the local by-laws
by the Secretary-Treasurer to appear before the Executive Board. No steward
shall be removed from the job until charges have been proved.