I'm a freight steward in Local 70 and would like to offer a more accurate point of view. The following is a response to a posting on your web page by Craig Gonsalves on February 2nd. I'd appreciate it if you'd post the following response. Thank you:
It's time to set the record straight. Over the last several months, you've been "treated" to the irrational babblings of Craig Gonsalves, a member of Local 70. Gonsalves has been attempting to sell a story that Local 70 representatives, Chuck Mack and Marty Frates are sacking UPS stewards who are pro-Carey and replacing them with those who are pro-Hoffa.
Anyone who knows Local 70 and its membership, let alone Mack and Frates, knows the charges are ridiculous on their face. The local elects their stewards. It only appoints when there are no candidates. We understand that sometimes happens at United Parcel Service.
You wouldn't expect the straight scoop from Gonsalves. Here's a guy that when he got a little pressure from the company, went off the job on stress and resigned as a steward. He claimed, according to some, he couldn't take anymore. He was replaced. When he came back to work, he attempted to un- resign. This guy doesn't even understand what a resignation means or the proper procedures in becoming a steward.
It's these series of events that have led Gonsalves to charge that Mack, a Hoffa Vice-Presidential candidate, is under investigation. The fact is that Gonsalves filed charges alleging improper steward removal with the election officer against Mack and Frates. The very same charges that have been dismissed by the National Labor Relations Board and every other agency he has taken them to. Gonsalves has lost every step of the way and is about to lose again.
Mack, contrary to Gonsalves' "spin," struck no agreement
with Christine Mrak, the Election Officer's representative. What he told
her was that elections for shop stewards would be conducted at UPS once
the UPS contract was ratified. Local 70's Stewards Bylaws provide for steward
elections at all terminals following contract ratification. Mack is following
the Bylaws in the local.
The Steward Update 2-25-98:
The Steward has re-contacted Ms. Christine Mrak attorney for the Teamster
Election Officer. Mr. Mack did pledge that he would hold Steward Elections
within a two week period. Ms. Mrak called Mr. Mack and he has Apologized
to her for the delay in his pledge to hold the elections. We stand by our
story.
So there will be steward elections at UPS. Let's hope Gonsalves runs. It will be interesting to see whether the members working there elect him. If I was a betting person, I'd wager that they're smarter than that! I'd bet, however, that after Gonsalves loses, he'll cry "foul" and scream that the election was tainted, that it was stolen from him and it won't matter how one- sided the vote is.
