Local 157 Wins One for The Rank and File
By Richard | April 7, 2008
The question of rank and file members success with a web site or blog that “Rocks the Boat” so to speak has been answered at Carpenters Local 157 in NYC. Local 157 Blogspot created by members John Musumcei and Pat Brennan is a FREE and OPEN blog without restrictions set by the Union.All are welcome to post and the only restrictions are civil behavior. All Union business can be discussed and there is no attempted to hide the so called dreaded”Dirty Laundry” There are no Teamster Power type gag orders just free and open discussion of all UBC Union business.
There has been much discussion on the subject of uncontrolled open forums on the Internet by Union members and its potential to result in the sky falling if unchecked by Union Officials Control. I have always argued that it is just plain censorship by those with quite a bit to hide. Supporters of this type of censorship and Union Propaganda sites have given us speech after speech trying to rationalize and justify the need for Union Officials to censor their membership for the good of the Union.We have been given the doom and gloom warning about the potential for irreversible damage to the Union movement if members are allowed to have democratic rights or free speech.We have been warned that we must hide all negative Union actions behind closed doors for the sake of the movement. The 157 blog has given us an example of free rank and file speech that has not resulted in the sky falling.That is not to say that the UBC Officials who now have to answer for their actions are very happy that they did not attempt to impose Teamster Power gag restrictions on this site .It is however to late. By the way John Musumeci is a 157 Trustee.
Local 157 has been seized by the International in a Trusteeship which as it turns out might be in violation of the LMRDA and at the least in violation of the UBC Constitution. For all the possible violations see the blog at here . The issues that have been allowed to be posted on the 157 Blog for the past two months have resulted in a special call meeting for the 157 members to discuss the continued supervision and to discuss the Constitutional issues raised on the 157 blog. This meeting is the direct result of the members discussion and postings on this blog.It would have been business as usual otherwise. After the postings on this blog the required LM15 appeared at the DOL which was not there in February when the blog discussion began.The outcome of this meeting and the actions taken to resolve the issued raised on the blog will have a wide ranging on all members of the UBC.
Local 157 Blogspot is a shining example that rank and file members can engage in open and uncensored discussion on all Union business. The result is not doom and gloom as predicted but a positive and beneficial conclusion for the rank and file 157 member. Members and outside posters conducted themselves in a civil and positive manner and worked towards a goal that was in the best interest on the membership. Rude behavior and vulgar language was dealt with as Matt Noyes predicted in his previous post. It was done so in a n expedient and constructive manner and the blog and discussions continued on.The Local 157 blog further proves that the membership can conduct itself in a productive manner without the guidance or restrictions of the Union Official who would rather keep his activities in the dark.
The Local 157 blogspot should also give us an insight into the need for open and uninhibited exposure of possible illegal and detrimental actions by Union Officials. Had the issues raised been not posted in public and had the UBC moved to censor the blog than the possible illegal actions would have gone unchecked and unchallenged. The result would have only benefited those that hide behind the cover of gag orders to continue their questionable activities. The end result of the 157 blogspot is that free and open discussion has resulted in the membership demanding and receiving the rights they are guaranteed in a democratic Union. Thank god John Musumeci did not build just another Union Propaganda site.Had we listened and keep these possible illegal activities in the dark behind closed doors than we would have enabled the behavior.If Union Officials engage in questionable or possible illegal behavior we have a duty to expose it for all to see. If they are so worried about the negative impact on the Union then perhaps it is THEIR duty to act in a positive manner. It IS NOT our duty to help them cover it up
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Teamsters Rearrange Posting Guidlines
By Richard | February 20, 2008
It seems the Teamsters have heard the questions regarding the censor of their members on TeamsterPower and the question of access to members private files. They have rewritten the posting guidelines. Although the guidelines are changed the fact is that they still restrict the members free speech remains.
A discussion on the matter has been going on at Communicate or Die between Matt Noyes of the AUD, Steve Dondley of Prometheus ,Dan Rutherford/Richard Negri of the Teamsters International and myself.What we have learned is that the site is an Official/Unofficial site. Built with Teamster funds. Built for and by Teamster Staff. Maintained by and content supplied by Teamster Staff but not an Official site. Hmm.It is also according to Rutherford a PR site for the Teamsters and not truly a blog. Mr Rutherford also wants us to know that “And there is one other thing I definitely want to clear up: We are not accessing member files. We ask for name and local number upon registration and want to limit content contributions to Teamster members. But this will be done largely on the honor system.” This is one of the guidelines changed which originally read”With the exception of invited guests, all story submissions will be checked and verified as submitted by bonafied Teamster members in good standing. ” Which could not have been done without access to members files. Big difference.
While the guidelines have been rearranged the intent, as is evident by Mr Rutherfords posts, is to indeed limit the free speech rights of any posters and control the content of posts. We also learned that Steve Dondley of Prometheus supports censor of rank and file members. He believe all Union business should be discussed “Behind Closed Doors”and the rank and file should not remove the cloak of secrecy that allows corruption to exist in many Unions today. That is not to say the Teamsters still have these issues or anything to hide. One has to wonder if Dondley really believes this or if he is trying to protect the nice contract Negri landed for him and Prometheus at the Teamsters. I would have to believe a little of both. Although Mr Dondley repeated he did not speak for the teamsters he certainly spent quite a bit of time defending their censor policy.
Strangley silent but no less culpable was the self proclaimed labor messiah and Teamster staff blog builder Richard Negri. Perhaps Mr Negri did not want to risk a post that openly supported the censorship of the rank and file as did Dondley. He also might not have wanted to risk his new job with the teamsters by not supporting the censorship policy’s . He managed to say he was to busy to join the debate. I wonder if he plans on calling all those that questioned the teamsters censorship and possible access to members files assholes and absurd as he did me.
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Surprise .Surpise. The Scourge of Labor
By Richard | February 18, 2008
We have previously said that the Change to Win group is the demise of labor as we know it. People like McCarron and Stern are only interested in lining their own pockets and destroying Democratic Unionism to be replaced with the Corporate Greed Unionism McCarron has imposed on the UBC. No have a look at Andy Stern as his own people in the SEIU confirm our opinions on Stern. Read about the power grab by President Andy Stern in the SEIU and the truth that he is following in the footsteps of McCarron. Remember also who supports Change to Win and Stern ,PATCO raiding and censorship of the Rank and File. For the details go to SEIU.org
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Union Review Creator Richard Negri Delusional
By Richard | February 18, 2008
I have always contended that Richard Negri of Union Review was a bit delusional and his recent rant posted on Union review appears to confirm my conclusion. It is my opinion that Negri is a propagandist and in a delusional state where he sees himself as the self proclaimed labor messiah. In his arrogance he invites labor to come to him so that he can show them the way as if he is somehow is the new salvation of labor come to lead the “Online Army” into the light” He does not invite labor to come and work together but to come and let Richard Negri educate them on labor. The question I have to ask is Who the hell is Richard Negri to be so presumptuous. If it wasnt so sad it would be rather amusing. I would have to say his latest “Online Army” campaign, of course with Negri at the helm, is reflective of the fact that is is obviously off his medication. Read the rest of this entry »
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Are Teamsters Breaking Privacy Laws
By Richard | February 18, 2008
A blog has appeared called TeamsterPower. It was built by Steve Dondley and Richard Negri. When one clicks on the identity of the Teamsterpower poster at the site it comes up Richard Negri. In reference to the Blog Negri has stated”I am only 50% of the reasoning behind that; the other 50% is the work of our friend Steve at Prometheus Labor Communications.”Now we also know that Richard Negri has stated that “I relocated to Washington, D.C. to work in the Communications Department at the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. My official title is Projects Manager. I work on campaign websites and blogs. ” Although he is being paid to build blogs for the Teamsters he has also stated for the record that this blog is NOT an Official teamsters Blog and ” the site is not even an official Teamster site”
One has to ask then how will Negri determine which poster is a Teamster member in good standing?”With the exception of invited guests, all story submissions will be checked and verified as submitted by bonafied Teamster members in good standing” Exactly what information will be given to Negri in his capacity as an UNOFFICIAL Blogger by the Teamsters to determine who is a member and if his dues is paid to qualify as a member in good standing. Will he be given the membership lists in violation of privacy laws. We he be given the members dues account information in violation of privacy laws. Will he tell us to cover his ass now that he is being questioned that the Teamsters tell him who is a teamster and who is not. Will the Teamsters tell him who is in good standing and who is not. I would hope not because if the Teamsters take that action than TeamsterPower must Indeed be an Official Teamster blog as created by someone who is being PAID to create blogs for the teamsters.
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Cesnorship Alive and Well at Communicate or Die
By Richard | February 18, 2008
The Teamster blog inquiry below was posted at Communicate or Die. It was removed by either Steve Dondley or Richard Negri. The issue of Unions controlling members web postings and sites has been discussed before on Communicate or Die.Matt Noyes raised the issue with”A round in Labors Internet Battle” (Not removed)I raised the issue with “Operating Engineers Move to Silence Members Web Sites” (Not removed) So why the problem with my post on the Teamsters restricting the free speech rights of their members. Why was my post removed??Is it because my post questioned Steve Dondley and Prometheus along with Richard Negri building a site that censors posters (who MUST be Teamsters with dues paid up). I asked why any person who claims to support Unionism and free speech as vocally as Dondley and Negri claim they do involve themselves in a site that restricts it members right to talk about its Union and Issues. Why would these so called activists support such a site?? Now it seems that not only do they support such censorship but THEY CREATED the censorship rules on their own.
We know Richard Negri is Teamsterpower. We know Dondley built the site. Negri has stated in referecne to TeamsterPower” I am only 50% of the reasoning behind that; the other 50% is the work of our friend Steve at Prometheus Labor Communications.. “Now Negri has stated for the record that the blog is Unofficial and not a Teamster blog. Even though Negri is getting paid by the Teamsters to build blogs this one is not official??Then it must be true that the Teamsters did not impose the posting restrictions such as “Don’t discuss internal Teamster matters or union politics here.” and “With the exception of invited guests, all story submissions will be checked and verified as submitted by bonafied Teamster members in good standing. “(so we know who you are) but these were created by Dondley and Negri. One wonders why an UNOFFICIAL site would place these restrictions on posts and exactly HOW will this blogger gain the information needed to verify if the posters are”Teamster members in good standing??
It appears you can only post at Communicate or Die and discuss the issue of Unions censoring their members if it does not involve Negri or Dondley.
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Teamsters Censor Members
By Richard | February 16, 2008
The teamsters have built a new blog “Teamsters Power”. This blog was built by Prometheus under the guidance of the self proclaimed Labor messiah Richard Negri. I have always questioned Dondleys commitment to the Rank and File worker. It seemed to me that his biggest concern was selling web sites to Unions regardless of how they abuse the members they work for.Negri is a bit delusional who in his arrogance promotes himself as the new Labor messiah sent forth to lead the working man and woman into the light.It has been my contention that Negri is nothing more than a propagandist who’s only interest is to promote himself. Sorry Richard we do not need you to show us how to blog. We do not support your delusional interpretation on Unionism. You will remember that Negri supports PATCO raiding other Unions and now it appears he supports Unions censoring their members.
Temaster Power has a few guidelines if you choose to use their blog. Blog Defined is “A frequent, chronological publication of personal thoughts and Web links.” However the Teamsters,Negri and Promethus seek to control those thoughts. You can post on the Teamsters UNION blog as long as you “Don’t discuss internal Teamster matters or union politics here” So you can call it a Union blog but cannot discuss Union politics or discuss Union issues? You can only post if your dues are paid in full”all story submissions will be checked and verified as submitted by bonafied Teamster members in good standing.” because if you are behind on giving the Teamsters their cut you are not a good Union member entitled to thoughts or opinions. You are also “free to offer constructive ideas” as decided by the Teamsters. All other free thoughts and opinions will be censured.
So what exactly is the purpose of Teamster power. It is NOT a blog because you are only entitled to the thoughts and opinions of the Teamsters Officers. It IS another of the Propaganda outlets typical of the new Teamsters Communication boy Richard Negri. Why would Negri who claims to care about the working man and woman build such a site which promotes censorship. Why to protect his new job. Why would Dondley and Prometheus who claims to care about the working man and woman build such a site that censors its membership. Why to make a dollar. Any good Union Activist would turn their back on a site that censors the rank and files right to speak and discuss Union issues. Not Prometheus. Not Negri.
Members must be free to express their views and opinions without hindrance or threat of reprisal from the Teamsters. They must be free to discuss Union issues in a public forum or the same thug Unionism will never be eradicated as it surely needs to be.Mr. Negri in his blogging how to tells people how to create a ghost email to remain anonymous. I see that he meant only for others while he promotes a site that does a identity check to control content. Hypocrisy has a new name. I would tell you but lets see if censorship has come to Communicate or Die.
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Firm Employing Bruno Handles Unions’ Money
By Richard | December 2, 2007
New York Times
Danny Hakim
ALBANY, Nov. 30 — An investment firm that employs New York’s Senate majority leader, Joseph L. Bruno, is managing tens of millions of dollars from New York labor unions, according to state ethics records and tax documents.
The unions have voluminous interests before the State Legislature, including several measures that Mr. Bruno has backed. Read the rest of this entry »
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Local 157 Seized by UBC. One Step ahead of the Feds??
By Richard | November 28, 2007
Carpenters Local 157 in NYC has been seized by McCarron and the UBC. At the request of Mike Forde, himself one step ahead of the law, the local was placed under supervision. Article
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What Have The Unions Done For Us
By Richard | November 27, 2007
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