Local 100 Straw Vote

[sammo1245]

I think this straw vote is such a bad idea on several levels.

Local 100 held their IBT mandated straw vote last night at the monthly nembership meeting.

Local 100 has about 4500 members according the the LM2. During peak that number grows, during the summer when school bus drivers are off, it shrinks to about 3500.

In our grand history, local 100 was a midwest powerhouse with 13,000 members. Chartered in 1913, Local 100 has proud legacy.

Last night we had about 30 members present, including officers and agents. Of the 30 about 10 are unemployed (movies, construction) or identified by the local as retired.

So during the meeting, during the reading of the minutes, financial reports and BA reports, one of the BAs, creeped around the room, hand delivering ballots to select members. As he explained the ballot to people, he often interrupted the meeting. It was poorly done.

There was no public discussion about the issues, no opportunity to discuss the candidates, issues or the voting process.

As the BA creeped around it more like the popular kid inviting only the cheerleaders to his secret party.

As an unemployed movie driver (retired UPS driver), I was not included in their little poll vote. Infact, they tip-toed around the 10 of us that they denied a right to vote.

I was told (they didn't bring a ballot close enough to see) included of course an opportunity to pick Biden or Trump.

They also listed key campaign issues. Asking members to identify the most important items.

One of the members came to me to complain that "the straw vote was rigged. it didn't even list the boarder crisis as an important issue." Which opens the door for Trump supporters to claim the poll was biased.

For those that don't know Ohio, once a battleground state, it is now a clear red state. Many of our members vote Republican every election, even when it is clearly against their own interests.

The completed ballots were placed in a steward election box. Security behind a $2 luggage pad lock. Which every BA and officer has a key to open.

They were not counted in front of the members present. Again, no transparency to this at all.

And only 66% of the members present were permitted to vote. At that point alone, this vote is improper.

I surveyed the crowd, handful new DHL workers (not in the Central States), few bus drivers (not in CSPF), a couple of UPS drivers (not in the CSPF), a couple Zenith guys (no CSPF) and one guy from Bluelynx (not CSPF).

I'm sure the officers and agents voted, four of them were absent for one reason or another. Of those, the recording secretary, all three trustees (are not CSPF). The full tine officers and agents are in the CSPF.

At this point 20 people, many who have no idea how important it was that Biden saved multiemployer pensions for 10 million workers and their families and 440,000 Teamsters in the CSPF.

20 people's votes are now representative for 4500 active members and the legacy of Local 100.

In 1980, we had 13,000 members mostly freight drivers and mostly in the Central states pension.

Every member has the right to vote for the candidate of their choice, but we elected IBT leaders to lead.

If anything, this poll should have been conducted 6 months ago, before the IBT met with candidates.

Nothing good can come from this straw vote.

What happens if by chance (it could happen) the .5% of our members that vote in this poll, vote to endorse trump.

And, his promised first act, is to support a National Right to work bill, which coukd cut Teamster membership by 500,000 members?

This why we elect IBT officers. Sometimes we need a say, sometimes we need them to LEAD. In this instance, Joe Biden saved Teamster pensions, we need to show him some loyalty, show him some respect.

The IBT's political theater is no better than the fake strikes last year. A bunch of double talk and no action.

Please, lead the union and support Joe Biden.291945861_7591096907631631_9201114530587582575_n.jpg ?

[killAInow]

That's the way it will play out around the country. Most Locals don't want to do it.

[JWebb]

As Sammo points out the whole thing is meaningless, 20 people out of several thousand. Nobody is getting any real information out of this and retirees who take the time to go to the meetings can't vote. Its just a straw poll why not? Just another show the locals have to participate in so O'Brien can say he went to the members over what is a made decision.

[Gimliboston9]

[Graveyard]

g. It's not that hard of a choice!

?I posted below when SOB went to Mar-a-Logo

[WTF891]

Just like the contract votes they cite percentages not numbers. God help us all, we have no leadership with these OZholes.

[WTF891]

That's the way it will play out around the country. Most Locals don't want to do it.

Correct, they want to remain apolitical as to not offend their members. It's fun to watch these clowns squirm and avoid the truth. Trump is bad for labor, just say it.

[Gimliboston9]

Eliminating retirees from this is strange to me , THEY have experienced the effect of more political administrations then newer members have. Through their experiences they have additional insight into the consequences of just who is in office.

[Nickjamesups]

[OT+]

On 2024-05-04 12:18, David Robbins wrote:

Local 251 will conduct the straw poll at 12noon , Sunday, May 19th, immediately after the Regular Monthly Membership Meeting. Principal Officer announced that only active members can attend, meaning retired members that have always had the right to attend the Regular Monthly Membership Meetings will be required to leave at noon.

Please see the attached Instagram post and my comment on the JC 10 Instagram site.

?https://www.instagram.com/p/C6gdz3OL...dmZmFuNzZycnlj

[Gimme_Danger]

Since when do non-members get to vote on member affairs? If you allow retirees then you would be forced to allow all non-members. Having the meeting after the regular monthly allows for more discussion during the regular monthly. I view these towns halls just like a Bylaws vote, only members can vote.

[Watcher745]

There is difference between not being allowed to vote AND BEING ASKED TO LEAVE!

[Pasco]

Gimme are you saying teamster retirees are the same as "all non-members" I don't think so. Why can't retirees, many who always come to the meetings, vote? After all it's a straw poll not any kind of vote covered by bylaws or constitution.

[Thisischange?]

How is this ****amamie poll reflective of the membership?What a D-bag move by O'Brien.

[The Direct Line]

I my local, we have around 7,000 and around 100-200 show up to the general membership meeting. 200 or more if something is happening at the local membership meeting. I agree, 100 rank-and-file only gives a real small sample size.

[TheMilitantTeamster]

Democracy! lol the candidate is already picked by SOB

[Gimme_Danger]

On 2024-05-04 12:18, David Robbins wrote:

Local 251 will conduct the straw poll at 12noon , Sunday, May 19th, immediately after the Regular Monthly Membership Meeting. Principal Officer announced that only active members can attend, meaning retired members that have always had the right to attend the Regular Monthly Membership Meetings will be required to leave at noon.

Please see the attached Instagram post and my comment on the JC 10 Instagram site.

?https://www.instagram.com/p/C6gdz3OL...dmZmFuNzZycnlj

I heard about the insanity from this retiree at that meeting. A big nothing burger of complaints. Good luck.

[AlJackson1962!]

I don't want to spend much time here, but can you explain what you're talking about in your above comment that reads:

"I heard about the insanity from this retiree at that meeting. A big nothing burger of complaints. Good luck."

Thank you.

[Gimme_Danger]

I was commenting on the post about a retiree complaining about not be able to participate and vote in a member meeting.

[JWebb]

Does anyone believe these "straw polls" are representative of the total membership, which ever way they go?

[TheMilitantTeamster]

The decision is already made this is window dressing

[Gimme_Danger]

Historically the decision is made by GEB vote. No such vote has been taken (ask Palmer to verify) and nothing was changed in the last constitutional convention to change that decision-making portion. Any conspiracy theory that a decision has been made already is just that. Engaging members is a good thing, even if you don't like the feedback during that process.

[Hiway80]

Local 804 straw poll at todays meeting 100 for Trump, 60 for Biden. Total membership around 7,000.

[sammo1245]

Yikes, 804! Ron Carey is rolling in his grave.

[Thisischange?]

Ouch! Unbelievable

[OT+]

Local 705 Straw Vote

Screenshot 2024-05-20 at 4.15.29 PM.jpg

[Barry455]

How could members of 705 qnd 804 see things so differently?

[Mr. Teamster]