Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1181 - EXTORTION AND TAFT-HARTLEY VIOLATIONS

Sometimes it's just too easy!

FBI Press Release: June 3rd, 2009

Two Former Board Members of Bus Drivers' Union Arrested For Extortion And Unlawful Labor Payments

My favorite union, Amalgamated Transit Union, made the news again today when the FBI announced they had arrested Nick and Paul Maddalone, former EB members and assistant trustees of ATU Local 1181. The pair were arrested on charges of extortion and violations of the Taft-Hartley Act.

Way to go boys, you made the big time - the family that preys together stays together (perhaps in a federal pen?).

Admittedly, they were "former"members (is a boss ever truly a former member?) but one still has to question ATU International President Warren George's oversight of ATU Locals. Could it be that as long as a local is current in it's "tribute" to the International, he's willing to turn a blind eye to corruption at the local level? Extortion and Taft-Hartley violations? "I zee nothing, I hear nothing, I know nothing" didn't work well  at Nürnberg but perhaps it's a better defense in the new millennium.

For those who don't know, I was an ATU Local 1001 (Westminster, CO) member for two years, 2007 -2009. I have questions regarding the way the members money was spent (2008 $120K political donation to left wing Protect Colorado's Future, for example) and for months the local has ignored me. I have contacted the International on more than one occasion and all I get are replies that never address my issues. In my case, however, "circle the wagons and hope he'll go away" is not a workable defense. 

"Hi, boys - I'm still here and watching you! A big howdy to Holman, Howard, Julio & Rudy. Remember, I'm allowed to file suit under LMRDA at the end of July. A special hello to my friend lawyer Jones"

Perhaps Warren George is just jealous of the press that Andy Stern and Jimmy Hoffa have been getting and figures ATU can beat them at their own game. Any press is good press!

Where there's smoke there's fire?

To be fair, this is not my first post about Local 1181 and it's true that President George finally installed trustee's but why did it take so long after members sought help from the International and were the Maddalone boys two of George's trustees? Germane but unanswered questions.

Local 1181 had elections in March, 2009 and members claim that the union is mob free for the first time in years; we hope so. ATU International  has removed the trusties and elected officers run the union.

Some might ask why the trustees spent almost $1,000,000 more that the local received in 2008. Take a look at the 2008 LM-2.

Grip of the Mob Is Gone in This Race, a Union Says

Enlarge The Image   Graph The Image

Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1181 website

This post, of course, is a look at the infamous Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1181 located in Ozone Park, N.Y. Federal prosecutors claimed that the LU was controlled by the Genovese crime family for at least 30 years before the "clean-up" and  ATU International finally putting trustees in charge on November 11th, 2006.

The International trustees ran Local 1181 from then until the trusteeship officially ended Friday, April 3rd, 2009, after the election of new local bosses in March.

Newly Elected ATU Local 1181 Representatives

Local 1181 of the Amalgamated Transit Union: "first election free of mob influence in at least 30 years"

Ballots are in the mail in high-stakes LI bus union vote

Needless to say, elections have winners and losers and someone is going to be unhappy:

Old Guard Tops Reformers In School Bus Union Vote

I was able to collect disclosure information going back to 2000 so you can look at Local 1181 LM-2's for the last years of mob control and the LM-2's through June 30th, 2008 when ATU International had control.

I'm not sure what disclosure is required now that the trusteeship has ended. I belonged to a ATU LU in trusteeship, Local 1755, but we voted to join Local 1001 when the Trusteeship ended on June 30th, 2008. Local 1755 had to file a terminal LM-2 and Local 1001 had to start filing LM-2's as of July 1st, 2008 because it now had both public and private employee members. I suspect that Local 1181 will be required (assuming that the Obama administration doesn't gut LMRDA) to file it's normal 2009 LM-2 after the local's fiscal year ends June 30th, 2009; perhaps showing the change from International to Local control as a comment. Corrections to my assumption welcome!

I am curious as to why it appears that ATU International took so long to act:

Amalgamated Transit international refuses to oust Local 1181 officers accused of mob domination

I have my own ongoing disclosure battle with ATU Local 1001 and I've written to President George several time asking for help. When I began, I naively thought that ATU International actually monitored the LU's and was concerned with corruption and the individual members money. I've now come to realize that my lone voice has about as much effect as a fart in a hurricane.

For those that have the time and interest, here are the Local 1181 LM-2's from 2000 through 2008:

2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Here is some more background information for anyone interested: 

FORMER PRESIDENT OF TRANSIT UNION LOCAL 1181 SENTENCED
TO 57 MONTHS IN PRISON FOR RACKETEERING

Showdown for the BusFellas' Union - ATU 1181

Busfellas Take '1181' For Ride 

Can the AFL-CIO avoid a RICO suit in ATU L. 1181?

Malice's Restaurant

George Announces Departure of School Bus Local 1181 Pension and Welfare Funds Administrator

School bus drivers’ union members want a change

I'll reserve any farther thought and comment until a later date and perhaps share my own experience in attempting to force LU disclosure.