Open Letter to TDU Members

[OT+]

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Please circulate broadly.

[JZuraw]

one option for TDU during the 2026 IBT election cycle - focus on rank & file contract enforcement and external organizing while providing (credible) fact-checking and in-depth background/analysis of IBT campaign issues

[OT+]

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More: Open Letter to TDU Members

[AlJackson1962!]

I'll be there at the TDU Convention as a TDU member in good standing. I am interested in organizing a caucus before the TDU Convention of TDU members that will be prepared for defeating a TDU endorsement of GP Sean O'Brien for a second term in office. If interested please contact me here. Thanks.

- Dave Robbins, Local 251, retired

[Gimliboston9]

Well said ! I hope the members of TDU take a stand.

[OT+]

[X-TDUer]

The TDU convention might be interesting. I can't think of any TDU members that I know that approve of O'Brien's moving the union toward Trump.

[NYNick]

Then they should all get together and tell Paff they will not endorse. They can withhold any endorsement.

[WTF891]

NYNick that would put Paff and Levine's coalition of the paying at risk. I have little to no doubt that the majority of TDU's rank and file membership have no use for SOB and are paying the price for supporting this old guard POS. Will Kenny and Davey try to pass this on a voice vote? Will the members demand a division of the house? Will dissenters be allowed to speak at the mic? The TURD is in a trick box, if they can't endorse the Leprichaun he will toss them like a dated box of Lucky Charms. It's all about the money tweedle de and tweedle dumb could give a shit about democracy, militancy, or reform. Get your popcorn out!

[Bob Randall]

Sisters and Brothers,

Following is an opinion of mine given from someone trying to think from within the heads of Ken, Dave, Steering Committee, etc. Sincerely, I have no "insider" information. Purely thoughts from an extremely proud former member of TDU as it had once been a watchdog organization as well as a champion of reform of the Teamsters Union. For decades TDU tirelessly and openly fought against corruption and undemocratic principles and practices that served only a small percentage of greedy, selfish officers. TDU is greatly responsible for the level of democracy that we have come to see in our union. I can't begin to describe the amount of work it took to achieve that state.

Here is where I am going to try to get into the heads of Ken and Dave believing how well intended they had been. "Along with government oversight corruption is now nearly nonexistent. So, no more work left here for us to do." "Democracy is nearly at a level that we had hoped for. So, no more work left here for us to do." "There are yet some Locals that are run by selfish Old Guard type officers. However, supporting the rank- and -file in an effort to win back their union would certainly draw the ire of General President Sean O'Brien and jeopardize our coalition that allows TDU to continue educating the membership. (Of course, SOB's acceptance of the coalition is most key.) So, no more work left here for us to do." It appears to me that in order to exist TDU now feels as if it must maintain a close relationship with SOB.

Therein lies the issue as I see it. As General President SOB has completely sold out the membership by aligning himself and the IBT with the most anti-union POTUS, and administration, in history. Trump has clearly shown that he has started to act on his agenda to weaken unions to the point of being nearly immaterial. To serve as examples: Terminating union contracts of hundreds of thousands of union members. Promoting unfriendly cabinet members to the Department of Labor. Firing National Labor Relations Board members. Aligning himself to those that contest the constitutionality of the NLRB process. (The National Labor Relations Act allows for concerted union activities.) Supporting 'Right To Work' union busting law along with SOB. In short enough time all of this will begin to have a negative effect on the Teamsters Union and its members. Yet, SOB continues his apparent support of Trump. At the very least he has remained silent and complicit. Meanwhile, TDU remains complicit with its silence regarding its coalition with SOB and his alliance with union busters. I believe that TDU may very well be on its way to being rendered nearly immaterial along with the Teamsters Union if Trump is not opposed in his efforts. TDU members must speak out at the convention in opposition to its coalition and to any support for SOB and his ego...now and in the future. TDU must be taken back to its once great set of principles. The General President's greatest responsibility is to protect the union and its members. This union belongs to its members. Not to O'Brien.

In Solidarity.
Bob Randall

[Gimliboston9]

Everyone should know that these are the four people who signed the letter denying John Palmer membership in TDU.

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[WTF891]

Isn't Halstead running for office? If I were a member would I want a guy running my local that stunts democracy and free speech? Not a good look dude.

[NYNick]

This makes no sense! Palmer is running with Hooker, right? Well this first guy , Andrews was with Hooker getting petitions signed in at UPS in Queens New York! So who made them sign that letter?

[JWebb]

How can anyone TDU or otherwise, claim to be good with unions and support Donald Trump. His history of stiffing contractors is reason enough to not support him. The open letter gives a small sample of what Trump has done to unions and Sean O'Brien is silent. What happened at the Mar-alago dinner what was agreed to? Why is O'Brien not critical even when Trump appoints a UPS exec to head OSHA, nothing.
TDU is complicit in all this, afraid in even a small way to criticize O'Brien.

[MSAVWOIR]

The recent passing of a lifetime TDU activist/lawyer and the internal conflicts that TDU has been experiencing in this Neo Liberal Labor World was caused to reflect on the character, commitment, and camaraderie of those who were the ground troops of TDU from its inception. I would often regard our brotherhood of young and old activist as the vanguard of the labor movement. We gathered from all corners of our union, from all stripes and tribes with a common denominator: to create a more democratic union. We were inspired by the legendary leaders that came before us, in turn we advanced the legacy of the uncompromising rank-and-file, …TDU. Principal not personal politics was our North Star. While we didn’t win all of our battles we earned the respect of companies and unions and the greater American labor movement. We became the model, the standard of organizing, the measure of success. We made some priceless acquaintances, shared some very memorable experiences and had great fun along the way!

For those who would ask what has happened to TDU? I would remind them, just as I reminded my brothers and sisters in the workplace, 15 years ago, you are the rank-and-file, you are the union —- not its fat-cat and self-serving leaders. It is our job to carry the flag of union democracy, maintain focus on labor principle, and where necessary —- be the tail that wags the dog. A watch dog, not a lap dog, to resist the tyranny of privilege wherever we may find it. To fight fascism wherever it raises his ugly head. Just as conscious labor advocates always have, … always will, for the struggle is constant and never ending. Our fuel is the ever satisfying assurance that our young people will assume the challenge of carrying this legacy ever forward, We must be remain vigilant and committed!

Solidarity forever!

Savwoir

[Yard Dog]

Mr.Magoo screwed up when he brought TDU into the gold.

[Graveyard]

The recent passing of a lifetime TDU activist/lawyer and the internal conflicts that TDU has been experiencing in this Neo Liberal Labor World was caused to reflect on the character, commitment, and camaraderie of those who were the ground troops of TDU from its inception. I would often regard our brotherhood of young and old activist as the vanguard of the labor movement. We gathered from all corners of our union, from all stripes and tribes with a common denominator: to create a more democratic union. We were inspired by the legendary leaders that came before us, in turn we advanced the legacy of the uncompromising rank-and-file, …TDU. Principal not personal politics was our North Star. While we didn’t win all of our battles we earned the respect of companies and unions and the greater American labor movement. We became the model, the standard of organizing, the measure of success. We made some priceless acquaintances, shared some very memorable experiences and had great fun along the way!

For those who would ask what has happened to TDU? I would remind them, just as I reminded my brothers and sisters in the workplace, 15 years ago, you are the rank-and-file, you are the union —- not its fat-cat and self-serving leaders. It is our job to carry the flag of union democracy, maintain focus on labor principle, and where necessary —- be the tail that wags the dog. A watch dog, not a lap dog, to resist the tyranny of privilege wherever we may find it. To fight fascism wherever it raises his ugly head. Just as conscious labor advocates always have, … always will, for the struggle is constant and never ending. Our fuel is the ever satisfying assurance that our young people will assume the challenge of carrying this legacy ever forward, We must be remain vigilant and committed!

Solidarity forever!

Savwoir

Truth to Power, thank you Brother! You have reminded us why we do what we do and it is us that have the power, if we choose to use it.

[OT+]

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"Open Letter to TDU Members" getting around...

[X-TDUer]

The Teamsters that signed the Open Letter is like the who's who of Teamster reformers, thanks for organiziing this. Their all opposing a TDU OZ endorsement and there are pages worth of others that wanted to sign. Talk to any of the signers and they'll tell you they have friends asking "why didn't I get to sign?".
Every TDU member needs to be aware of this information and also beware of combined resolutions at the convention. Members should get together and plan to be at the microphone. The support for no OZ endorsement is there, don't get gaslighted.

[AlJackson1962!]

We're all Teamsters like you are Brother or Sister There will be lots of opportunities to build new power in our Union, and dump those "leaders" that refuse to stand up for a militant, transparent, and democratic Teamsters union. The OZ Slate has squandered this moment when we need organized labor to stand up like never before,