Sounds Keynote for Action to ‘Build Better Lives Together’

A group of 29 Local 237 delegates and six alternates, led by President Carl Haynes, joined more than 1,800 union delegates from locals all over the United States and Canada in Las Vegas in June to take part in the 26th convention of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

The four-day convention, that began June 25 in the Paris Hotel, was attended by more than 5,000 people. It attracted such speakers as U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, the first Asian-American woman to serve in that post; Democrat Senator Tom Daschle, the new Majority Leader in the Senate; Republican Senator John Ensign from Nevada, and Representative Loretta Sanchez, a Democrat from California.

The convention had as its theme “Building Better Lives Together.” The delegates nominated candidates for International Union offices and dealt with a large number of constitutional and policy issues that are expected to guide the 1.4 million-member union well into the new century.

At its conclusion, General President James P. Hoffa told the elected delegates: “We have heard this week many positions and opinions held by our members as part of our open and democratic debating process. We leave this convention stronger than ever, prepared to fight for our members and all working families.”

Historic Amendment

Possibly the most important item approved at the convention was an historic amendment to the Teamster Constitution which provides for secret ballot and rank-and-file election of International officers after candidates are nominated in open convention by elected delegates. This will be in accordance with regulations established by the Department of Labor.

Prior to the 1991 General Election, Teamster leaders were elected by delegates to the International Convention.

After listening to Local 237 member Terry Stewart, a hospital police officer at Kings County Hospital, explain how the city has been trying to privatize the HPOs out of existence, the delegates overwhelmingly approved a resolution to protect workers in government service.

The resolution was drawn up by President Haynes’ assistant, Joel Sosinsky, in his capacity as Assistant Director of the Public Employees Trade Division. It condemned the efforts “of government entities throughout the United States and Canada to subvert the collective bargaining process by their continued attempt to privatize government services.”

The delegates also approved creation of a Blue Ribbon Commission to study the best way to solve the International’s financial problems and to establish a meaningful strike fund.

A resolution recognizing the “extraordinary service, dedication and commitment to the members of the Teamsters union” of the Project RISE Task Force, also was approved.

RISE (Respect, Integrity, Strength, Ethics) is a Teamster program dedicated to safeguarding the rights and assets of the members, and eliminating corruption. Edwin Stier, a former New Jersey prosecutor, is assisted by 15 former FBI members in overseeing the program, which was initiated to ferret out any local union involvement with organized crime.

Stier told The New York Times, “Organized crime influence in this union has been reduced very, very significantly. There are pockets here and there, but no different than you would find in any institution in the industries and the communities the union operates in.”

The RISE Task Force is developing a Code of Conduct and system of compliance and enforcement as a way to help end federal oversight of the union. The union is working with the United States Attorney in Manhattan in an effort to finally end such oversight.

A highlight of the convention came June 27 when it was announced that the House of Representatives had voted overwhelmingly to prohibit Mexican trucks from using highways in the U.S. beyond 20 miles of the border.

The Teamsters had long protested that Mexican trucks are unsafe and would create hazards on American roads.

President Haynes praised the Local 237 delegates who had been elected to represent their fellow union members at the convention. “A great deal was accomplished at this convention because of the dedication of those taking part,” Haynes said.

“I am proud of the job you did, and I believe all your fellow members share this pride. You lived up to the trust your co-workers placed in you when they elected you through an open and democratic process to protect their interests at the convention.”