Wasting no time: Teamsters and USDOJ move to end Consent Decree oversight of Union

[AlJackson1962!]

June 17 (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department moved on Wednesday to end its oversight of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters after nearly four decades, telling a federal judge that one of the country's largest labor unions had purged itself of corruption and organized crime.
The Justice Department and the Teamsters said in joint filings in Manhattan federal court that under a court settlement first approved in 1989, the ⁠1.4 million-member union had restored democratic governance and eliminated what prosecutors once called "a campaign of fear" that included murders, bombings, theft and extortion.

So, once the Consent Decree ends, and now that TDU is dead*, The only remedy until January 20, 2029 is the Trump NLRB. Good luck with that!

*Jackie Presser was wrong when he stated that at the 1986 IBT Convention. But, with the complete capitulation by TDU in the face of Sean O'Brien's style of misleadership, Presser's words now ring true.
This sucks!

- Dave Robbins, retired, Local 251

[Bob Randall]

With "The Mob" all but "dead" I don't expect a complete return to the days of old. However, based on 40 years of experience of our union I am very familiar with our culture. The prevailing way of thinking by the General Presidents (exepting Brother Carey) is, and has been, "support me and I will assure you of Local autonomy. Meaning...do whatever you want in your Local and I will turn my head as much as possible. Even if "whatever you want" means "nothing". O'Brien has not, and will not, be an exception to that way of operating. THAT IS THE CULTURE IN OUR UNION! Sadly, that is and has been the culture in so many other unions as well. Laborers', SEIU, UAW, etc. Dave is certainly correct. It might not be today or tomorrow. However, it is coming. Effective watchdogs are a necessary element of a democratic union. Ugghhh! It's coming again.

[Nickjamesups]

It’s all in how you “spin” it. O’Brien with his hiring of Berlin Rosen has mastered the “ spin”
The international has become a mirror to corporate entities. It will put protecting its assets before all other concerns. We can continue to increase strike benefits so long as we never actually use any significant portion of them. They will continue the constant touring of the country spouting the rhetoric of how tough we are and how strong we are while allowing companies like UPS to roll over our members.
Welcome to 1984 both the Orwell reference and the return to how things were done in this union in 1984.

[Doctorpepper782]

100% correct!

[Doctorpepper782]

Good article in the New York Times about this!

[Noman2024]

While expiration of the Final Agreement and Order (Final Order) entered in 2015 is long overdue, there are two changes in the proposed Order that deserve scrutiny. First, while the Final Order preserved the 5% nominating threshold and also provided that if the IBT wanted to change it, either up or down, the government could challenge the change in court if it believed democracy would be threatened, particularly by an increase. The new agreement in paragraph 8 provides that the nominating threshold "shall neither exceed 8% nor decrease below 5%." If there is a challenge, it goes to the Independent Election Supervisor who is appointed by the General President. If you trust the current administration to maintain the 5% threshold, or to appoint an Election Supervisor in the future who is truly independent, then you should not lose any sleep over this.
Second, the ability of the Independent Review Officer and the successor Independent Compliance Officer to review disciplinary decisions and settlements will be limited if a member/officer is guilty of embezzlement or theft of less than $100,000. Use to be that TDU assumed anyone earning $100,000 or more was a thief. Now it's apparently ok to steal up to that amount without any outside review. Again, if you think the current GEB adequately dealt with the charges against Giswald, no problem. It also isn't clear what authority the IRO/ICO will have to review violations that do not involve LCN or theft, but other serious violations of the Constitution.
Perhaps the IBT will clarify if politely asked.

[Bob Randall]

Which person or group or organization proclaimed that "it's ok to steal up to that amount ($100,00)?

[X-TDUer]

TDU published an article about the IBT's joint filing with the Justice Department and gives it the official TDU endorsement. Also kind of says, "there's nothing to see here". They barely mention Vice Pres Griswold and didn't mention the free pass he recieved. at all.

8% doesn't seem like much but in an organization like ours it means Leadership will be "elected" at convention, just like the old days. TDU again is endorsing this scheme.

Aren't we at the point where TDU does more damage than good?

[EASTCOASTMEMBER]

Who is gonna stop the Chris griswolds
and the Joe smiths from stealing from us ?
this is just 2 examples that got caught with the oversight
What next ?

[Bob Randall]

Still waiting for an answer to my question. Wasn't TDU. Who was it?

[Gimliboston9]

Just who do you think will be effective “ watch dogs”?