I can't exclude TDU

[Bob Randall]

Let me begin by saying that I've not been closely in touch with the workings of the IBT since my retirement. So, my next statement is with respect to SOB's support for Right To Work and anti-union legislation. Trump supporters, or not, every Teamster knows how despicable that is. GEB, JC's, Local's, rank and file. For decades I've watched those that are in elected positions fail to openly express true feelings because they felt that it would hurt their chances of getting re-elected, even though they might be doing their job. I believed that they were wrong. I always felt that one would continue to get elected, in spite of being open and truthful, as long as you did your job. SOB would not lose an election because he openly supported or denounced any Presidential candidate. Though, for the life of me, I can't understand why he would appear before millions on television and support RTW. As General President he knows how despicable that was. Yet??? The GEB knows that it is wrong. Joint Councils, Locals and rank and filers all know how despicable that was and how harmful that support of SOB's is to our union. These are not thoughts or actions of fighters. Trump's administration and supporters are responsible for firings and hirings of NLRB members and are clearly done in an attempt to change Board policies and weaken workers chances to organize and form unions by using delay tactics made possible by these actions. Those delays make protections, for workers, under the Act pretty much a moot point. Imagine a union organizer trying to tell workers that if they get fired for talking about joining...the union will file a charge with the NLRB and you will get your job back in two or three years! Try telling nonunion workers that due to the intentional delays to Broad process that you can get a union representation election scheduled in two or three years. All of the aforementioned parties know how despicable it is to support these issues. Yet??? Silence is complicity. Therefore, with great and heavy consternation I am including TDU in with my remarks. TDU knows how harmful SOB's alignment is to Trump, RTW and these other despicable anti-union attempts.

[Gimme_Danger]

Where is this supposed support for RTW? The interview I saw showed SOB clearly stating that the Teamsters oppose RTW. And has done so in action during this administration and prior (including just recently in New Hampshire, again).

[Bob Randall]

The interview that I saw he clearly said that the states knew best...meaning the RTW states. This was in the context of RTW as a part of the PRO Act. Hey, look. Could I live with something like that if card check legislation were to pass with real teeth? But, we know that ain't gonna happen.

[Gimme_Danger]

RTW has been part of federal labor law since 1947. And we've been mostly losing state trends toward RTW. But we've won a few lately, and should work on additional states. Getting meaningful US labor law improvements takes a majority in the House and 60 votes in the Senate. It's all well and good to push EFCA or the PRO Act as a purity test, but they haven't passed, even when the Dems had all 3 branches in the past.

[JWebb]

I think this was discussed here earlier:

[JWebb]

also here:
https://t-unionlink.org/forum/ups/20...e-on-nlrb-osha

[Gimme_Danger]

From TDU:


"Right to Work (for Less) is wrong. PERIOD. We won't let the billionaire-funded National Right to Work Committee twist it to advance their union-busting agenda. Teamsters OPPOSE federal RTW legislation and have fought to defeat and repeal RTW laws at the state level and we will keep doing that."

[Bob Randall]

SOB's comments during the aforementioned interview were not in opposition to RTW (for less). They should have been. He in fact said, before millions of viewers on Fox, that "states know what is best". Clearly this was in reference to RTW states that oppose any federal legislation to change RTW. Now, everyone on this string knows that my initial post was to make a point that nobody (that I am aware of) has openly called out SOB for that statement and feelings about the states' rights with respect to this. In addition to that, my original post was to make a point that nobody is calling out SOB for cozying up to the guy (as well as the party) that is responsible for intentional delays at Regions of the NLRB as well as being responsible for the lack of quorum at the NLRB causing more intentional delays. These intentional delays along with constitutionality challenges to Board process could result in the erosion of unions and become something that we don't recognize. The defense of the IBT and GP, along with lack of opposition, along with the apparent lack of seriousness with respect to these matters is despicable. General President (SOB) should be held responsible by the membership. Including GEB, JCs, Locals and R&F and yes...TDU, since it is a part of the coalition. With respect to TDU's statements above...I know how the organization feels about the issue. THAT WAS MY POINT! I've known and respected the likely writer or writers for too many years to think otherwise. Merely statements by individuals along with organizations just don't cut it (with me). Ya'll know that the Teamsters Union goes in the direction that the General President goes due to his ability to "reward" and retaliate. Clearly my point was intentionally defended against here without ever being brought up. SOB's support for these issues, along with his silence with respect to other issues, are not the actions of a fighter. They are self-serving. Silence is complicity! Peace out.

[Gimliboston9]

I agree with 90%of what you have said. What I can’t get past is the fact that O’Brien is exactly the same person he has been for 25 years and was the focal point of many exposes by TDU . TDU/Paff knew exactly who they were endorsing and that is unforgivable.

[Gimme_Danger]

I get it, this crowd wants someone to be criticized by whomever they feel should criticize (Trump by SOB, SOB by TDU, TDU by everyone here, etc). Hey, so do I . There is plenty of blame to go around for the current mess that organized labor is in. Seems like something that has been shouted from on high for 50+ years. It still wouldn't change a damn thing no matter how loud you criticize for the sake of criticizing.

[Nickjamesups]

So you agree, so just who do you think needs this “ plenty of blame” ? Trump ? Paff ? O’Brien?
Blame is one thing , stopping the current turning of a blind eye to keep in the good graces of the IBT is what needs to happen.

[Bob Randall]

Who, Bro'! "For the sake of criticizing"? SOB is an elected General President of the IBT. Popular opinion puts individuals, as well as groups/organizations, on notice. Popular opinion sways policies. Your comment suggests that those having a differing opinion should not voice that opinion as a means of swaying policy. I have made comments with respect to GEB members that I know and respect. Also, of TDU as an organization. That was done with a certain amount of consternation. For more than 30 years I watched the IBT, some JCs and some Locals conduct themselves in self-serving, business type ways. Many within those began reform movements (so they proclaimed). I've watched many of those movements be successful against incumbents. Some of those I took part in as a TDU member. Nobody should think that this was done by people that solely wanted to criticize. Opinion sways policies and or votes. I struggled much before expressing anything. Then I looked in the mirror. Now, if SOB spoke out loudly in opposition to the recent actions by Trumps administration it likely would not have much impact. But, along with a plan would be showing a willingness to fight. His cozying up will lead to an even quicker race to the bottom. This is real bad. Fighters fight! When the GEB, JCs, Locals, R&F, TDU do not loudly call him out they are not fighting. They are handing him a fluffy blanket for cozying. Democracy don't come cheap. It don't never stop. Ya gotta shout it out. Silence is complicity bruh.

[NYNick]

I think it sounds more like there needs to be accountability. Admit that it was a mistake endorsing someone you knew was an old guard red vest. Stop inviting him to be a guest speaker.

[Gimme_Danger]

The interview on Fox News, SOB stated: "Senator Paul introduces National Right to Work every chance he gets, which we do not support. We don't support Right to Work at all. We do understand it is in the majority of states out there."

[Gimliboston9]

I have an idea , try telling the truth! Run a special edition of the VOICE telling everything you left out for the last two years. The lawsuits , false reports on members numbers, the firings based on race, the NDA’s ( brownouts) the dinners at Mar-A-Lago , the threats between O’Brien and the senator, the “fake” Amazon “ strike” the list goes on and on.