Earlier this morning, I dialed the number listed on the Members First website for its presidential candidate Billy Smith. Within about five seconds, Billy was on the other end of the phone asking me what the people in my work area need from his slate once Members First takes office. He stressed, “Every hub, every work place, every member faces different issues. What I would like is for all of our brothers and sisters to begin the communication process as soon as possible so our transition will be smoother in January.” After sharing some concerns relevant to my work assignment, I told him, “…but what I really called about was to ask you to explain this flier for the other slate I picked up at DFW.”
“I know you’ve put together a website, and I’ll be happy to answer your questions, but what I don’t want is a bunch of mud-slinging. Let’s be clear: I want to keep things as friendly as possible so the members won’t have to wade through any more distraction than what they’re already dealing with. I’m running for office, not to disgrace anyone’s personal character, so if you’re looking for a negative reaction about any opposing slate’s flier, I can’t give you that.”
Very presidential. I was definitely impressed.
Last week, I entered a break room at DFW’s UPS just as one of Wesley Jenkins’ business agents was finishing placing campaign information, which supported the current president’s slate, on our tables — a labor violation considering the agent not only used his security pass to gain access into a restricted area that most opposing slate members are prohibited from entering, but also because he was there on official union business, which is paid for by all members. This business agent happens to be the very same individual who willingly showed a group of members another worker’s private grievance form in 2003, thus causing our entire local to pay for yet another very costly re-election process. I was upset to see he was yet again disobeying labor election laws and wanted to have a closer look at whatever this important document was that he was risking his reputation in order to distribute.
Sadly, as I partially expected, it was not campaign literature discussing any of the positive accomplishments our leaders have achieved. Instead, the fliers trashed presidential candidate Brother Smith in a barrage of lies and half-truths in a manner inconsistent with our Oaths of Obligation. Perhaps, it is because of allowing unprofessionalism like this that our president was voted off the Joint Council 80. It certainly didn’t seem brotherly to say the least.
Billy won’t comment on the above topic “out of respect for the other candidates,” but he did take a few moments to answer some of my other questions, which I mostly lifted from the opposing slate’s questionnaire.
Q: First of all, thanks for taking the time to speak with me. The other slate claims they are “running on [their] experience.” What do you think about that, and what’s your slate “running on”?
A: (laughing) Look, I want to thank you for thinking to ask me these questions. I have seen the flier and know it says I won’t give any direct answers, so I’m just happy to publicly dismiss that myth. The other slate may be running because of its experience, but we’re running because of the membership. This slate was put together by the members — many members — for the members. You can have all the experience and knowledge in the world, but it does you no good if you’re not representing.
Q: I agree. The current “Experienced Officers,” almost half of whom are brand new to President Jenkins’ current slate, eluded in their message that you have “never settled a grievance” and never “presented a grievance before the grievance committee.” Is that true?
A: No, because I’ve been to the grievance committee twice with this local. As far as presenting grievances before the panel, etc., I’ve never known this local to require stewards to perform the duties of our agents before the SRAPGC. I settle grievances in house frequently, so I’m uncertain what the implication is that I haven’t. My record stands for itself. Did the current officers present grievances before the committee prior to their elected positions? I think you know the answer to that.
Q: What about the accusation that you haven’t learned the contract?
A: I have the contracts for Weber, Allied, and AWG, in addition to the UPS agreement, and am familiarizing myself with them. Do I have every word memorized? No, of course not, but I can paraphrase the language for members and show them where to go within the book. I’ll have business agents who will be well-versed in our contractual language as well.
Q: I have to quiz you then.
A: (laughing) Alright, go ahead.
Q: I’ll start off easy. How about Article 17 in the UPS language?
A: (laughing more) Who is messing with your pay? Let’s get you a green check.
Q: What if I already asked for one, but it came two weeks late?
A: Well, looks like we’ll have to sit down and figure out your penalty pay then. Look, we can have a quiz about the contract for the next hour, but I want you to know I am committed to solving whichever issues come up regardless of whether or not I have the exact language memorized. I’ve been a steward long enough to know people don’t want to hear you recite something verbatim. They want you to show it to them in black and white.
Q: A minute ago you mentioned your business agents. Who are they? The flier says you’re going to tell me you “don’t know yet.”
A: That’s partly true. We weren’t officially a slate until October 10th, and we don’t want to promise jobs to anyone during the campaign phase because (a) we don’t want to “buy” votes, and (b) we don’t want to owe anyone. We have begun interviewing candidates for agent positions, and I can tell you there are three capable individuals whom I’ve already decided upon. In fact, we have spoken to some current BAs, who we believe are proficient enough to continue working for the local if they are still interested. In order to have a clear idea, we must interview all of the candidates before we can make an educated decision. I won’t jump into that lightly.
Q: Why did you say it was your time to run for president?
A: Now, see, that’s a perfect example of when words are twisted to confuse people. This office belongs to the membership — that’s you and me and everybody else who works hard to pay dues. I said it was my time to run for office because I knew I could correct the problems our local is having. All I want here is to help my brothers and sisters. Things have gotten too far out of hand, and the time has come for me to set the course of this leadership straight.
Q: So what are the specific changes you’d like to implement as future President of Teamsters Local 767?
A: Without saying, some of the greatest ideas come directly from the membership itself. I am accessible to anyone who has a suggestion for improving this local. Now, if you go to the IBT’s website, you’ll see one of the main duties of any local is to organize. In order to do that successfully, we have to get our current membership unified. I want to walk through the work sites knowing that every employee I see is a proud Teamster. Our local has really slacked off on its internal organizing efforts, and I want people to know we stand together. No Teamster is alone. Ever. In order to create unity within the work environment, we must train our stewards INSIDE the buildings as well as at the hall. Too many stewards don’t have the local backing them with representation at the facilities and become overwhelmed and unable to properly perform duties. That ends when I am elected. Our stewards will be able to confidently approach management with not only the support of the membership, but also with that of their BA and executive board’s reinforcement. Also, the extended work sites and centers will receive visits again. They can expect to see not only their agents, but also their president. We will be involved in the buildings. We will be there to investigate problems before they become grievances. Have you seen an updated bulletin board in your center? No? That’s going to change as well. I am tired of looking at outdated bulletin boards with information from years ago. Members will have different articles posted weekly because before this is all over, I want every Teamster to know the contract – not just the agent or the steward. I’ll tell you something else, when Members First is elected, we will put Teamsters back into the community. We will host fundraiser events, not funded solely by dues money, as well as charity events such as group efforts to volunteer at places that cater to helping end homelessness and hunger. These are issues that Teamsters fight against, and our local will become a force again within our communities. Not only that, but we will recognize our veterans and their families with the respect they deserve. I want to work with our brothers and sisters at 745 and collaborate efforts. We are all Teamsters, and it’s a shame our current leadership has allowed us to stand divided.
Q: Wow. I think you have covered it pretty specifically, but if there’s anything else you’d like to add, go for it.
A: Alright, I want people to know I understand the office of president belongs to the membership; the representatives belong to us all. If you elect me, I’ll make sure it is your office. The members organized this slate. Most of us didn’t know each other until ten weeks ago, and we’ve been led together by Teamsters from all over the map. The seven of us come from Tyler, Denton, Mesquite, Dallas, DFW, and Arlington facilities, and we have spent a lot of time already reaching out to folks in the extended centers as well as at Allied, AWG, and Weber. I look forward to working more with the people from Americold as well, who we’ve also wanted to share our message with here. We are the largest local in Texas. We can be even larger. We’re going to get in there and protect the members with their money. I have put myself out there. If the other candidates claim I’m being indirect, it’s because I don’t need to address them since they’ve made it perfectly clear they’re not voting for the members. They can read my position here if they’re truly interested. My website is up. My phone number is posted. I welcome all workers to contact me and my slate any time. That’s what we’re here for — to serve them.
Q: Thanks, Billy. Best of luck to you and the Members First team.
A: Anytime. My pleasure and take care.
For contact information, Billy’s blog, Q&A, events, photos, and more about Members First 2009, visit here. To follow the guys on Twitter, click here. Ballots will be mailed October 19th, 2009, so be sure to mark the MEMBERS FIRST slate (in the middle!) and return your ballot as soon as possible. Make tomorrow count.
