WSWS: TDU seeking reelection alongside pro-fascist union head SOB

[OT+]

[Bob Randall]

The link posted by OT leads to an article that is clearly written by an author (WSWS) rife with animus. It is clearly a subjective piece. Moreover, it is rife with lies and intentional misrepresentations. As examples: "Carey was corrupt" and "was caught using union funds". After a thorough and grueling investigation by the federal government Carey was not found to be guilty of either. Much of the rest of the article is designed to have the effect of a lie. Not at all an objective analysis. Some call it "fake news". As someone that has always been sympathetic toward socialist's views with respect to the Labor Movement I have become seriously dismayed over the years by these common attempts to form other's perceptions with this tactic that the writers feel is justified by anger. I'm pissed off too. However, tell the truth and keep credibility. Or, simply grow up! The author sucks!

[Thisischange?]

A very slanted take on the whole matter, although they are right O'Brien is a douche bag and TDU is nothing more than a tool for the d-bag.

[NYNick]

My question is what does tdu think of O’Brien kissing Trump’s ass and supporting his policy on tariffs and his actions against members of many unions?
Tdu used to report on everything Hoffa did and now not a word on O’Brien. I’m not here as long as many on this site but to me Hoffa was better than this guy!

[The Direct Line]

The link posted by OT leads to an article that is clearly written by an author (WSWS) rife with animus. It is clearly a subjective piece. Moreover, it is rife with lies and intentional misrepresentations. As examples: "Carey was corrupt" and "was caught using union funds". After a thorough and grueling investigation by the federal government Carey was not found to be guilty of either. Much of the rest of the article is designed to have the effect of a lie. Not at all an objective analysis. Some call it "fake news". As someone that has always been sympathetic toward socialist's views with respect to the Labor Movement I have become seriously dismayed over the years by these common attempts to form other's perceptions with this tactic that the writers feel is justified by anger. I'm pissed off too. However, tell the truth and keep credibility. Or, simply grow up! The author sucks!

I gotta agree. What they failed to mention was that the rank-and-file that went up to SOB was a comrade from Teamsters Mobilize. Carey, from what I read and told from others was not corrupt. To say Carey was corrupt is like saying SOB is "the greatest general president ever".

What I do agree with the article is that TURD formerly known as "TDU", Labor Notes, DSA, FRSO and other so-called leftist organizations rubber stamped the OZ Slate. Now SOB goes off on his "Boston's very own" podcast on the "radical far left". They must like being a whipping post as well as lapdogs.

[Bob Randall]

This article is despicably, intentionally inaccurate. Clearly there is an ulterior motive behind it. Carey was a good man that sacrificed much in a battle against corruption. His family and supporters and friends, AS WELL AS HIS LEGACY, do not deserve such an intentionally slanted unprofessional piece of bullshit! Rest In Peace Brother Crey.

[NYNick]

From what I’ve read it’s either Hoffa supporters or the far left that attack Carey. When you actually read the history Carey was a breath of fresh air in the teamsters. Seems like the government went against him because he actually accomplished something.

[Gimliboston9]

The government only let Hoffa run after he promised to behave and not cause any labor trouble and that’s why we had over twenty years of doing nothing ! Except watching teamster jobs disappear!

[Bob Randall]

It's easy to draw that conclusion. Especially if you were a supporter of Carey (which I was). All that aside... the article is a flat out lie pertaining to Carey and clearly slanted with respect to so much more within it. I "tune in" to many left leaning pieces of literature. This publication is a bush league rag.

[AlJackson1962!]

Regarding GimliBoston9's comment stating: "The Government only let Hoffa [Jr.] run..." I don't recall that the Government interfered with Hoffa, Jr.'s candidacy. Nor do I recall his candidacy was an issue under the IBT Constitution. As I recall he was an attorney employed by JC43 and therefore a dues paying member with the requisite 24 consecutive months good standing and met the threshold for 5% nomination by Convention delegates. Personally, I support the failed IBT Constitutional amendment requiring that candidates have worked in the craft (I doubt lawyers employed by JC43 were covered by a Teamster CBA). Hoffa, Jr. years ago, supposedly worked on the Alaska oil pipeline project under a CBA, when Jesse Carr was PO of that local. I also recall that during the 1997 UPS strike, Hoffa, Jr. publicly criticized the 1997 UPS strike while the strike was in progress.* There is no question in my mind that the 1997 UPS strike was a tremendous victory that stopped commerce in the US. That show of strength by organized labor was a rare event at that time following 16 years of anti-union animus under Reagan, Bush, and Clinton too.

Ron Carey's nomination in 1991 and the huge grass roots organizing campaign for his election by rank and file Teamsters (led by TDU) that resulted in his majority win over the two opposition slates led by R.V. Durham and Walter Shea was a transformative event and victory of rank and file power The thirst for a militant, honest, and skilled Teamster leader after 20 years under Frank Fitzsimmons, Roy Williams, Jackie Presser, and Billy McCarthy was an inspiration for the entire US labor movement. I had issues with some of the actions under the Ron Carey administration (forced mergers of locals without a vote by the rank and file comes to my mind). But Carey was the real deal - a militant Teamster rank and filer that rose to leadership by fighting for the members' interests.

Brother Bob Randall's comments above are on the mark. Carey was found innocent of involvement with the campaign financing matter that resulted in a rerun of the 1996 IBT GEB election in 1998. So the claim in the WWSW article above that Carey was corrupt is not correct. Carey, was fighting the Old Guard Teamsters and the Employers throughout his term (just like TDU up until it's "Coalition" with OZ). I was a Local 504 elected delegate in both the '91 and '96 IBT Conventions, and supported Carey's candidacy. In fighting the Old Guard, Carey offered an olive branch and took in many of the Old Guard (opportunistic) supporters in various positions in the IBT to the detriment of the Union. And to some extent that was the undoing of the gains realized since his election.

By example, in New England JC10, the 1991 IBT Convention Delegate slate in Boston Local 25 was won by the slate led by George Cashman - Cashman and his slate beat the sitting Teamster GP Billy McCarthy. In the next Local 25 officers election in 1992, Cashman's slate won, and Mac retired. A few years later, Cashman headed a slate that won the JC10 election. JC64 in CT merged with the other New England locals in JC10 and it seemed like the dawn of a new day in New England for Teamsters. Then after serving a number of terms as Local 25 President, JC10 S/T, and Union Co-chair of the NE Pension Fund, Cashman got indited for taking kickbacks in conjunction with the cost of the unfunded liability for Cardinal Health after that employer withdrew from the New England Teamster Pension Fund and Cashman pled guilty, was barred from office and did a stretch for his plea. Cashman had a lengthy history in Local 25 as a Consolidated Freight driver and vocal oppositionist to McCarthy. In the 1976 Local 25 IBT Convention Delegate election (Local 25's membership size at that time required the seating of additional delegates beyond those already holding elective office) Sargent of Arms Jimmy Moar and other Mac thugs attacked him and his fellow Delegate running with him (Santasuosso); breaking Cashman's leg while they leafleted outside the Local 25 Hall. This illustrates the continuing recognition and unwavering need for all that hold seats of power in our Union; REMEMBER WHERE YOU CAME FROM AND KNOW THAT POWER CAN CORRUPT! George Cashman was recognized by Local 25 r&f members as a dissident in the 1970's into the 1980's. He put himself out there. He even seconded a resolution I proposed at a 1980 Local 25 meeting that the New England Pension Fund divest all Pension Fund investments with any ties to the South African apartheid regime. He was not afraid to stand up to McCarthy.

None of us has all the answers. But, as someone that considers himself a socialist, I agree that the WWSW article above is inaccurate and shallow in it's analysis. Yes, I support working class power. And I believe there are many tools and means to fight for achieving a more fair, equitable, planet for all people. FDR near the end of his fourth term proposed a maximum wage. That is way overdue and since that time the inequities in the capitalist World have skyrocketed. But those reading this know this already no doubt.

The IBT went from being among the most corrupt and undemocratic unions to one of the most democratic unions under the terms of the Consent Decree. And now we are led by O'Brien; a Trumpster and a thug.
NOBODY SAID MAKING REVOLUTION WAS EASY - KEEP THE FAITH AND KEEP FIGHTING FOR DEMOCRACY AND JUSTICE - WE GOT NO OTHER CHOICE!

* Remarkably and fortunately ,the IBT Election Officer that ruled a new IBT GEB election must be rerun in 1997, waited to announce her decision until after the Teamsters won the 1997 UPS strike, because she did not believe her decision should interfere with that battle.

- Dave Robbins, Local 251 retired

[Gimliboston9]

I was referencing that to my memory In 97 Hoffa had “ bad money” in his campaign also , if you remember the “ cake sales” that raised a bunch of undocumented money ( I believe it was $50,000) and was under the scrutiny of the election officer.

[Bob Randall]

Nice job Dave.

[AlJackson1962!]

GimliBoston9: Thanks for your clarification. I don't remember the "cake sales", but Hoffa.Jr. clearly had the advantage of raising money with the highly paid Old Guard local officers having a vested interest in maintaining their multiple salaries. They feared that TDU's success in the 1991 and 1996 IBT elections, coupled with TDU's fight for the Rank and File Bill of Rights, might become a reality down the road. Carey's slate had the greater advantage of an informed, and activist rank and file whose interest was in electing militant and democratic leadership that would fight their battle for a stronger IBT led from the bottom up.

The propaganda of the Old Guard was very much like the Trump/MAGA narrative today: Throw shit against the wall and hope it will stick.

[NYNick]

AI , did you know that TDU has stopped using the bill of rights? It is no longer printed in their newspaper. Since endorsing O’Brien seems like a lot of things they stood for are no longer considered important.

[Gimliboston9]

You also mentioned multiple salaries, TDU no longer objects to those either , not since their members on the GEB started receiving them ! No mention of multiple pensions either! While we are on the subject of things TDU no longer object to, remember when they used to scream about “ brown outs” during ups contracts ? Remember? Now forcing members of the committees to sign non disclosure agreements is not even mentioned.

[AlJackson1962!]

NY Nick and GimliBoston9: Yes, I am aware that the R&F Bill of Rights (that included: no multiple salaries I believe) disappeared from the TDU Voice. And the Principal Officer of the Local I retired from )Matt Taibi - Local 251) now rakes in well over 200K a year. And, I recall when Taibi reported to the Local 251 members that he had been kicked off the UPS bargaining committee in the prior UPS contract negotiations specifically because he had kept members informed of the status of negotiations. In that report he advised members about the concessionary proposal (introduced by the Union at the bargaining table! - his emphasis) regarding scheduling the regular workweek for package drivers. How do these guys look themselves in the mirror every morning?

[Thisischange?]

They would rather stare at their multiple pay stubs.