Teamsters for a Democratic Union? New Politics

[jerseymike78]

When Arnold betrayed Washington and went to the British he expected to be treated like a hero, instead of getting a seat at the table the British held him in contempt, why would anyone trust someone who betrayed their cause? He died in London never being accepted by British society.
I wonder what O’Brien really thinks about Paff?

[NYNick]

That is a great analogy!! Benedict Arnold was at one point an incredible patriot/officer. Yet he hit a point where he felt the need to benefit himself because he felt under appreciated. Paff could well be described as the same.
I wonder if Paff knows Arnold dies in obscurity and dispised by those he joined.

[WTF891]

This further reaffirms the absolute sellout of Paff and company and I mean company from socialist style reformers to merely collecting money for their own benefit. I hope they enjoy their comfy new digs in Brooklyn they are nothing less than turds and sellouts Paff has tarnished his legacy much in the same way as the once great continental commander Benedict Arnold. Actions have consequences lay down with dogs wake up with fleas.

[Watcher745]

“ Business unionist “ ? What a perfect description of what Paff has become.

[OT+]

[Bob Randall]

NYNick. By "remains" I meant bargaining unit member while a TDU member. That's an honorable group as listed. Those are retirees and "getting on in age"...which was my point. My theory has maintained that for TDU to survive as the "old" TDU that there needs to be a "market" for it. That response pretty much plays to my point.

[WTF891]

They are TURD's TURD (1).jpg

[NYNick]

Who really remains from the reform movement??
Paff, levin, Kilmury, LaBotz, Packer, Leedham, Pope, Savwoir,Hardy, Campbell, Ostrach, Sylvester, Eckstien, Palmer and many others. Although some of the fore mentioned may have lost part of their sense of what a reformer is.

[Bob Randall]

See? Still simply venting about the old TDU. Still no answer to my question. Unless AIJackson's response was one believing that there still is a "market" for new membership as time moves along. I mean, who really remains from the "reform movement"? I really don't think that there is even enough anger (in terms of numbers) from part-time UPS since they are all getting laid off. I'll not bring this up again. Good discussion (between some).

[WTF891]

Call them what they are TURD's. TURD (1).jpg

[Doctorpepper782]

Come on!!! Give them a break!!! They still post about how you can make ups clean the fans!!! Also how to work in the heat while you wait for that historic air conditioning!!!
I bet their office has AC
Paff should be so proud of his seat at the table. Just look what it has done for the rank and file, you remember them don’t you? They used to have a Bill of Rights.

[AlJackson1962!]

My answer to be clear was and remains::"So, my answer is: Yes, we still need a rank and file Teamster organization to fight for democracy in our Union, an end to corruption, and a militant rank and file empowered membership."

Unfortunately, there is nothing I see today that shows that TDU is that needed rank and file Teamster organization. Today, there is little about TDU that is democratic in nature, and they have become a "rubber stamp" for OZ.

[Bob Randall]

SPOT ON!!! SPOT ON!!! That's not meant to be an offense to TDU. It clearly is an open change in its character. TDU is providing a good benefit to the rank and file. I like the "old" TDU better. However, the landscape has changed. In some way TDU is a victim of its own success. The market for new members is not what it used to be. SOB sucks!

[Watcher745]

It’s my sense that since the alignment with O’Brien there are more members willing to join TDU since there is no longer the stigma coming from the IBT. Also locals are now more willing to sponsor members to attend as did a very small number of locals in the past. The other side of the coin is has the conventions now become a weekend away at the unions expense?
Much like existing caucuses that are little more than excuses to travel and party on someone else’s dime.
I can’t help but wonder if this was or is a plan to infiltrate from within and remove the last group of members willing to openly oppose the national incumbents. If O’Brien simply gets his people on the steering committee TDU becomes what some already think is a “ rubber stamp “

[Bob Randall]

Well...that was an awful lot leading up to a reply to my question. That attempt being "TDU as a committed caucus for rank-and-file empowerment is still needed." No argument here at all. I've not stopped sharing that opinion. Not gonna happen (similarly to the "old" TDU). Even if the organization wanted to, for reasons that I stated, I don't believe that the market is there for recruitment purposes as it was before. Prior to the Carey era, as well as through it into the Junior era (although waning), with the proper resources I could have plopped in so many Locals and found a high degree of anger with the potential for TDU recruitment possibilities. It's not at that degree any longer. Again, an exception could possibly be with UPS part timer contingency. So, maybe a seat at the table was an option to continue providing something valuable.