Miami 99

Destroyer?

Who is destroying the Union?

It is common knowledge that the current administration team and its paid political operatives have forwarded the theory that "Roger Griffeth is trying to destroy the Union". It is a catchy phrase, is both open and close ended, however, I believe that these individuals may actually believe that the statement is true.

The truth in the statement is self evident and could only come from those in self serving positions. Brother Griffeth did one seemingly minor act early on in his tenure as General Secretary and Treasurer, he questioned the status quo and actually tried to do his job as set forth in the UTU Constitution. But, that is not the way things are done at the UTU International.

Theoretically, by the time a member has successfully been elected to an International office, he/she has reached the so-called "top of the food chain". Once there, little else matters other than "How do I stay in Camelot in Cleveland?". Unfortunately, the answer to that question came many years ago, and the answer, simply stated is to not rock the boat and maintain your place in the pre-determined pecking order.

While this is a difficult concept for the rank and file member, the practice has trickled down to all levels of the UTU, including the General Committees, State Legislative Boards and many locals. This mentality has effectively allowed this organization to disenfranchise the great majority of the membership, and consequently weaken the historical strength of the UTU as a labor organization.

The closed society of Camelot in Cleveland developed their own rules of conduct and agendas which have been designed to preserve their self serving interests at the expense of the membership and their representative voice, the delegates. They have worked hard to craft the direction of the Union not to best serve the interests of the membership, but rather to insulate themselves from legal liability for failing to represent the membership.

In one very interesting recent Supreme Court case, our Union actually forwarded the theory to the Court that a member alleging a violation of the duty of fair representation was not entitled to a trial by jury. Yet your dues dollars paid for the advancement of this specious legal theory.

Some will remember the years of battles with the various past administrations in an attempt to prevent membership ratification of agreements. Finally, the delegates were able to prevail and achieve what they considered to be a great victory, the right to membership ratification. But the occupants of Camelot did not like the action of the delegates, and in 1996 we saw the blatant disregard for the membership and their rights. The members voted down the national agreement, however, "they got a vote" but it was meaningless.

More recently, the escapades of our current International President and General Counsel to preserve their political ally, Mr. Robert W. Earley, who was caught red handed selling out the UTU and a member at a Public Law Board. To preserve the status quo, this officer was paid just under $200,000.00 and the members’ right to ever bring him to justice was removed.

The "Union" has been good to those on the dole of the International, they are highly compensated, travel first class, and live high on the hog. In many instances, they get to "double dip" on their expenses, and overall use the dues payers money in any way they can imagine, including buying a big luxurious bus, kind of like the singing stars that travel around the country.

At this point, we must look at the different perspectives of the "Union". I believe, and justifiably so, that the current administration and their paid political operatives believe that they are the "Union", and their way of life is the "Union". I now think I understand their statement, and if I were to assume their perspective, I would probably the first to agree that "Roger is trying to destroy the Union", their Union, not the members union.

On any given day, each of us can turn on the TV and hear the statement concerning the "inside the beltway" mentality that exists in our nation’s capitol, and any one of the so-called "talking heads" will clearly elucidate the disconnect between our elected officers and the general population. The same seems to hold true, in spades, for our organization.

In 1995, Brother Griffeth was elected from the membership, he was not aligned with either the DuBose or Little campaigns. The members wanted somebody to ride herd on the out of control spending habits of the UTU. He did what we put him in office to accomplish, let us know the truth. It was fourth and five on the goal line, and we needed a touchdown just to tie. He gave the members the touchdown! Is it time to put Roger in charge and win the game for the members with the extra point or do we give in to the panicked attacks of the administration, so they can blow the game in overtime and maintain the status quo.

I doubt seriously that any of the rank and file want to preserve the status quo? The International President and his team have the US Government investigating our Union for taking the money from Job Benefit Fund. The Grand Jury is issuing criminal subpoenas concerning improper expense bills. The AFL-CIO and organized labor have ostracized the UTU. And that’s just the beginning (or more properly – the "New Beginning). Should we assume all these people are trying to destroy the UTU, also?

It is questionable that when everybody and their brother has been openly acknowledging that our Current Administration team is the cause of the problems, not the solution, the administration team has the standard deny, deny, deny, and let’s preserve the status quo at whatever the cost. I believe, and most of those I have spoken to on this issue also agree, that the Current Administration and its team is willing to do anything to preserve the status quo, even if it means destroying the union. Personally, I have been very blunt in my beliefs concerning the NMB Vote and the Wage and Rule Panel (Armageddon Agreement).

Who is the culprit and who is the victim? Is Roger Griffeth the culprit because he has fought to change the status quo in Cleveland and attempt to protect the members’ rights? The administration has reason to feel that Brother Griffeth is the culprit, but the same would not hold true for the members. From the member’s perspective, Brother Griffeth is the victim of unwarranted and vicious political attacks from the current administration team in an effort to preserve the corrupt status quo.

"u" be da judge, is Brother Griffeth really trying to destroy the Union, or he is merely trying to rid it of a corrupt system that keeps the members as outsiders. A union that has become nothing more than an elite Inner Circle of corrupt politicians, "except one"?

Who is the destroyer - a Quiz?

             A. The guy on the right?    

B. Trust me?    

OR - Could it possibly be???

C.  "u" know who?

  

For Immediate News Release

Seattle: United Transportation Union Assistant President Byron A. Boyd, in town over the weekend to meet with Lynn Ellsworth, Esq. concerning on-going WP&Y matters, took time during his busy schedule to answer questions from an unidentified reporter from Railway Age: Q. Mr. Boyd: I notice in the latest article on the El Paso Express, that only Mr. Ruck's hat was present, why was he not in his hat?  A: Well, I normally wouldn't address such a question, but I just got off the phone with General Counsel Miller and it seems Mr. Ruck is being detained by Federal Authorities on charges of "beastiality and/or money laundering", apparently something to do with naked sheep in the Cayman Islands? While we don't have the whole story yet, it appears that Mr. Ruck will be found guilty as earley as September of this year! It is unfortunate too, because we had one of our consultants to the designated counsel in that area offer him the UTUIA beastiality/money laundering policy which protects most of our members.  Sadly, Mr. Ruck had to be different and now you see the result. Q. UTUIA? Is that the UTU insurance group that has more than 221 M in assests and a strong and stable surplus? A. Yes Sir, One in the same!

Are "u" having fun now?

Not to worry, when they found out who I was (CEO of the El Paso Express) and checked out my military dossier, I was able to make a "sealed settlement" and I am now "completely exonorated". But I'm not going to lie to "u"; the sheep are in big trouble!

So little bb, tell me, does that stand for "We Pay You"?  I guess that fellow must be with Thornton, Soderland, Waechter, PLLC as that is the only designated counsel we have in the great State of Washington and I know you wouldn't use non-designated counsel much like Mr. Early did in his "earley" years? But with all due respect Mr. Assistant President, do me one favor in life? Please? For the members? Allright - get out your time book, go to 1998, get a yellow highlighter, get out the 1998 Report (green book), start at page 24 and highlight . . . Ah, you don't have a time book? Got a 1998 calendar? Oh, OK it's basically the same thing; it'll do just as well. So just highlight each day on the calendar that the book says you were in Seattle - yea - doing good - January all the way to December on page 29!

Thanks Byron: now just stand on the podium in Miami and don't say a word - only two more years (May 5, 2001) until you take over, move the HQ  (military term - headquarters) to Seattle and save us all money?  Hey, yea you - Tommy - did I spell your name right this time? You must be proud to be back on the team - Sac-C, little bb, and Tommy - just three peas in a pod like the ole days? I've changed my mind, even if there is no golf tournament in Miami, I think you should be paid to be there - hell, I'd like to hear you give the invocation, I just don't want to be standing anywhere near you when you do it! I sincerely like you Tom - get the money up front cause after Roger's elected, those promises won't be worth a thing! Hang in there and have a nice day.