UFCW 8GS Found in Violation of Nomination Process

As most of you probably know I challenged the Loveall “nut game” with both the UFCW International Union and the U.S. Department of Labor. The journey of this challenge was quite a learning experience for me. What I’ve learned and come to believe is that the UFCW, the labor organization that I’ve paid hard earned dues to for 30 years has absolutely no interest what we the dues paying members think or have to say about “our” working futures or the goings on within “our” labor union. To me, the UFCW appears to be much more concerned about preserving the “good-ole-boy club” then they are in teaching working people to be motivated, educated, activist willing to fight for a better tomorrow! It blows me away the lengths that this labor organization seems to go through to keep the ordinary rank n file member away from any union politics! That tells me one thing, they must have much to hide.

After my long dragged out challenge process with the International (all by design to discourage members from preceding) I was finally able to present my complaint to the U.S. Department of Labor. I have to say dealing with the DOL seemed to me to be a much quicker and straight forward process than the International or local union. I do admit, I didn’t expect much once I got to the DOL. From past stories I heard from other members of the UFCW and other labor organizations I figured I’d get the same run around from them as I did the UFCW International.

I was a bit surprised when the investigators from the Office of Labor-Management Standards in San Francisco treated with as much respect as they did. My investigator, even after the initial meeting always made time for me when I had questions about the case. I didn’t always get the answers I wanted but I did appreciate his straight forward answers and honesty.

Once the case was sent off to Washington DC to the DOL lawyers I figured it would be the the standard blow off ...”your complaint has no merit”. Well I was wrong! The DOL in Washington DC corroborated my allegations regarding the nomination notice. The DOL found that UFCW 8GS was “in violation of the LRMDA”

You can read the letter here: http://www.uncharted.ca/images/users/ssigurdur/200906_schroed_dol.pdf

So you probably all want to know what the out come of this violation was? As you can see, even with the violation the DOL did not see grounds to re-run the election. While I do agree, if none of the members interviewed by the DOL wanted to run or were willing to nominate a candidate(more from ignorance of how the system works then not wanting to participate) than how can a election be re-run? This was not an issue I felt I could argue. In the beginning of this whole nomination process two other members were fired up and ready to run for office, then after my letter writing had started they disappeared! For me to run by myself would have been insane. My entire goal was to expose the bogus nomination process, which appears we have done.

Now, where I do have a problem with this decision is that “nothing” happened to the officers of local 8 for violating the LRMDA. From what I’ve been told they, in so many words, “have been put on notice” What does that mean? Well next election year the local has to make a better effort at informing the members of a officer election. But it’s up to the members to monitor the local to make sure that happens, so I’m told.

So let’s think about this for a moment! If a worker “violates” company policy they are disciplined or terminated, no?

If a citizen breaks a state or federal law they are arrested or fined, no?

So why is it that a labor organization can “violate” a federal law, the LRMDA and because they possess millions of members dues dollars to buy expensive attorneys they walk away with barley a slap on the hand? Any thoughts?

In closing I would like to thank “all” the behind the seen people who helped me out with this challenge process! I’m eternally grateful and indebted.

Also to every local 8 member that had the courage to stand up and fight back, sign the affidavits and interview with the DOL investigators, this small victory is yours! None of this would have gone as far as it did if it weren’t for your courage and unity! At a minimum at least the world and the government now knows that the Loveall’s and current officers of UFCW 8GS didn’t and never have had the testicle fortitude to run an open, honest and fair election of union officers!

I will leave my sisters and brothers within the UFCW 8GS with one of my favorite quotes by UAW member Greg Shotwell...


"Workers Rights are not defined by Law or Contract. Workers Rights are defined by Struggle. You will Win what you are willing to Fight for. Nothing more."-- G. Shotwell