Message from International President Warren S. George

"So Larry, why are you doing this? Most people don't care and the few that do, either get pissed or laugh at you" I was asked the question (not from Mr. George :-) and I'd like to answer it.

Let's see: Because I can and I think someone needs to. There are already a few cries in the dark and one more might help a little.

I'm scared to death, not for me but for my daughter, grandkids and all the other Americans who have to get up and go to work everyday to keep a roof and food on the table. I honestly believe that if I'm still around in five years, I'll be very disappointed in what America looks like. I have no particular expertise and certainly no great insight but I get up every morning (so far :-), scan the news and can't help but have the feeling that the stage is being set for the perfect storm.

Mr. George states:

"Now we are confronted with a different kind of crisis.  I’m referring to the massive recession which is choking off the funding our systems need to keep rolling. At least 50 ATU properties
(see page 21) are facing service cuts and fare hikes. Layoffs of our members have begun in several cities."

Sir, I agree  there is a crisis but I ask "Is it possible that ATU and it's 257 LU's contribute to that crisis?"

I'm only "picking on" ATU because it's the only union I've ever belonged to and I have a pretty sour taste in my mouth. "What the hell did I pay dues for?" It certainly wasn't to have the union fight for my job. I was told "It's none of our business" when I was fired. 

Today we venture into Oregon and take a look at how ATU Local 757 spends the dues of it's (FY 2008) 4345 members If I were a member of local 757 and had a June election, I might ask some questions before I voted. For example:

Please explain the Detailed Summary Page:

SCHEDULE 14   OTHER RECEIPTS 1. Named Payer Itemized Receipts $0 2. Named Payer Non-itemized Receipts $6,381 3. All Other Receipts $5,967 4. Total Receipts $12,348		SCHEDULE 17   CONTRIBUTIONS, GIFTS & GRANTS 1. Named Payee Itemized Disbursements $0 2. Named Payee Non-itemized Disbursements $0 3. To Officers $21,034 4. To Employees $92,290 5. All Other Disbursements $12,580 6. Total Disbursements $125,904
SCHEDULE 15   REPRESENTATIONAL ACTIVITIES 1. Named Payee Itemized Disbursements $23,338 2. Named Payee Non-itemized Disbursements $44,142 3. To Officers $195,205 4. To Employees $199,795 5. All Other Disbursements $59,430 6. Total Disbursements $521,910		SCHEDULE 18   GENERAL OVERHEAD 1. Named Payee Itemized Disbursements $16,668 2. Named Payee Non-itemized Disbursements $132,192 3. To Officers $71,062 4. To Employees $12,653 5. All Other Disbursements $78,655 6. Total Disbursements $311,230
SCHEDULE 16   POLITICAL ACTIVITIES AND LOBBYING 1. Named Payee Itemized Disbursements $37,596 2. Named Payee Non-itemized Disbursements $29,927 3. To Officers $19,642 4. To Employees $12,653 5. All Other Disbursements $3,253 6. Total Disbursements $103,071		SCHEDULE 19   UNION ADMINISTRATION 1. Named Payee Itemized Disbursements $0 2. Named Payee Non-itemized Disbursements $18,785 3. To Officers $132,473 4. To Employees $27,963 5. All Other Disbursements $51,213 6. Total Disbursements $230,434

Form LM- I think it great that Mr. Hunt and Mr. Schwartz are doing so well ($101,059 - $95,284) but I think I 'd have to question $145,581 to keep an attorney and legal assistant on the employee payroll. Are there benefits that go with the jobs? I also wouldn't understand why, with an attorney employee, it was necessary to spend $42,423 for outside counsel. $8,314 to fly, $8,643 to Bally's Las Vegas and $5,598 to the Hilton? I might also ask the International if it conforms to the Constitution to have Bank of America credit cards with a balance of $11,214 at the end of the FY. The Dawg agrees with me.