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



January 23, 1998

Mr. Craig Gonsalves
Castro Valley, Ca. 94546

Dear Sir and Brother:

I am in receipt of your letter dated January 21, 1998. I don't have the time or inclination to further participate in a letter-writing contest where there is no meaningful outcome. Try as I might to answer your questions, provide information and educate you regarding the rules, regulations and Bylaws of Local 70, it obviously has come to no avail.

Most active members in Local 70 can answer your latest set of questions. That's because they attend membership meetings and participate in the affairs of the Local 70. You ought to do the same.

Finally, with regard to political affiliations of Shop Stewards. I don't know the political affiliations of all UPS Shop Stewards and I don't care. Whether they supported Hoffa, Carey or Mack. It's not important.

What is important is that they do their job for the membership of Local 70 who work at United Parcel Service.

Personally, I'm not threatened or angered by members who profess different views or support other candidates. That's D-E-M-O-C-R-A-C-Y. The right to dissent, to debate, to argue for a different opinion is one of the basic principles of the Trade Union Movement. I support that. I promote it. It creates a healthy and vibrant organization.

Your suggestion that Local 70 and its representatives have discriminated against Shop Stewards and members because of their political beliefs is absurd. I would imagine that there are a number of UPS Stewards who supported Hoffa and a number who supported Carey. The same things is true at other houses and terminals where our members are employed. So be it. That is healthy. We proudly encourage diversity of opinion.

Sincerely and fraternally,


Chuck Mack
Secretary-Treasurer

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