??????? ????? ??????? ??? ??????? / ??????? ?????? ??????? ???????? ??????? ???????!

[Hammer]

Dear brothers and sisters, this is Carl Gregory from Carl's BlueCollar Commentary.

A friend of mine told me a long time ago that "belonging to a union IS NOT a spectator sport! The members ARE the union, and its strength directly correlates to their willingness to fight for it."

As many of you know, last week on Tuesday, 1 August 2023, Vincent Perrone, President, and Principal Officer of Teamsters Local 804, Trustee of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, and appointed Eastern Region Package Director made an unsolicited, unwarranted, and, to be utterly frank, what I know to be an incredibly stupid decision to launch a direct personal attack on me for a post I made titled "?? ???????-?????? ????? & ???????: ????????, ?????????, ??? ? ??????? ??????????" that I shared to a Teamster forum named "Teamsters Local 804" and to approximately 37 similar union-related forums.

In response to Perrone's accusations, I defended my credibility, referenced mutual acquaintances, and invited him to discuss the matter further. I assured him of my commitment to accurate information and openness to his insights. I even went so far as to send him a message on Messenger with my phone number, inviting him to call me in the morning, to which he didn't respond. I concluded by wishing him a good night's sleep. While I worked and later slept, he continued his unwarranted tyrannical attacks. He even went so far as to send a text to a mutual acquaintance that said, "Good evening. Do you know who this **** sucker is?".

That was the final straw that pushed me over the edge, so I carefully crafted my Facebook post titled, "**??? ??? $30 ??????? ???????? ???????: Fact or Fiction?**", and then I immediately picked up my trusty pen and penned a complaint to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) because I knew that Mister Perrone's attack violated the National Labor Relations Act of 1935, Section 8(b)(1)(A), which specifically prohibits labor organizations or their agents from restraining or coercing employees in the exercise of their rights guaranteed under Section 7 of the Act.

I then let my fingers do the walking and filed it electronically. About 30 minutes later, I received a call from an NLRB attorney who informed me that they responded so quickly because of Mister Perrone's attempt to publicly discredit and intimidate me was serious if it were as I alleged. His being a senior executive officer of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters deserved their immediate attention and probably warranted additional charges. I am not going to bore you all with all the dry legalese.

In the meantime, my Messenger app exploded with messages from all across the country, and even from within the "Teamsters Local 804", the Facebook group where Mister Perrone launched his attack. Boy, he surely must have stepped on a lot of toes as he climbed to the top, as he certainly has quite a lot of frenemies. Anyway, they were quick to offer their support and advised me that my next step should be to file a union charge against Mister Perrone for abuse of his authority and conduct unbecoming a senior executive board officer of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. I will be taking steps next week to submit that charge, though the executive board is certainly welcome to preemptively act, as I certainly wouldn't want this to become a stain upon the fine reputation of our brotherhood.

I could have never imagined when I became a member of the Teamsters almost 8 years ago what a hard road I would personally be traveling when I first stepped upon the path I have traveled. I can honestly say that there is nothing more terrifying than standing for your rights against a ferociously anti-union corporate giant like United Parcel Service and a back-stabbing Teamster Local union that I experienced simultaneously when I began actively fighting for a better contract back in 2018. In my case, it was not only terrifying, it was in fact, ulcer and heart attack-inducing. At times, I felt like I literally had the breath knocked right out of me. All of my hair went gray as a result too. But if not me, then who in Local 991? If not then, when?

I can tell everyone with certainty that there is no magic bullet other than the unwavering courage and determination of the members to stand up and fight together for democracy in our union, justice there and at work, and for our fair share of the wealth our labor produces. FOR WHATEVER IT TAKES, FOR AS LONG AS IT TAKES must be the rallying cry and one to which the members are fully committed if we are to achieve our common dreams.

But there is a secret that I have learned over the previous year from the numerous attacks directed against me publicly, and privately, behind the scenes, is the fact that our employers, and the occasional sell-out union boss, are terrified, and their sleep haunted, by the fear that one average part-time employee / Teamster says "enough is enough," then stands and fights... and that others will join or follow! If not, then why all the fuss? I do thank the enemies of truth, justice, and the American Dream for sharpening me into the fighting edge that I now am.

I am certainly not without mistakes or some kind of comic book superhero. One thing I am not is a doormat that will tolerate being walked upon by anyone.

I also am not the first person to stand, and I certainly will not be the last! As for this pending contract, I encourage everyone to respectfully continue the discussion regarding the pending contract, actively seek out reliable information, demand answers from the officers of our Locals and the IBT, and vote your conscience, remembering that we are all in this together! When we stand as One, we will Win Big!

No brothers and sisters, there certainly isn't any yellow in my eyes or anywhere else on my person.

Carl Gregory
The Hammer!

P.S.

???You can see more information as to the nature of the attacks mentioned above in the photos of the below post:

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?sto...&id=1000694176 80573&mibextid=Nif5oz
?

[Gimliboston9]

[Jazzman]

Perrone has a history of this kind of crap. But lets face it members stand on the sidelines and let it happen, sometimes even laugh about it, until the Bully takes aim at them. Looks like he messed with the wrong guy this time, because he's going to be spending a lot of time on this one.

[Hammer]

Hello Driver8,

I want to assure you that I'm not overreacting. I've shared some of the information regarding the incidents between Perrone and me on the Teamsters Local 804 forum. However, I've withheld specific evidence that could identify innocent persons. Rest assured, the labor board possesses this evidence, which undoubtedly serves as the smoking gun. If anyone doubts the public information, this evidence will certainly confirm the situation and his intent.

I faced a similar situation in 2018 with a UPS district manager and two center managers. Their behavior was much more respectful than Perrone's, yet they all "retired" one week after I settled that Labor Board case. It's a reminder that the 1935 Labor Relations Act applies equally both ways weather anyone is aware of it or not. I did message Perrone privately in an attempt to give him an "out" but for some reason he didn't choose to respond to me. I was certainly not looking to make him into a fool. He did that all by himself.

I find Perrone's actions particularly troubling because he is one of the officers of "our" union. I believe he should be held to a higher standard by our body. Let me put it this way: The company is like a tiger, and tigers do what tigers do so there is some excuse for their behavior. On the other hand, a union officer should be like a sheepdog, protecting the herd rather than attacking it like a wolf. What was his excuse?

Carl Gregory
???

An overreaction from Perrone. He is a seasoned officer, he should of handled this with transparency and fairness. And yes, he should be held to a higher standard especially because he is thoroughly TDU.

[Thisischange?]

He needs directions from his fellow GEB Sister the Dragon Lady, she knows to step on other peoples dick not your own.

[Gimliboston9]

[Hammer]

I thought it interesting too that Peronne suddenly stopped speaking considering how uninhibited he was when he began attacking me in the beginning of this matter. I'm guessing that someone behind the scenes probably advised him that he had bit off more than he could chew and not to dig the hole is in deeper than it is already.

[JT67]

Do you work for ups? I have never heard of you. Are you one of these socialists who is trying to make a name for yourself off of the UPS contract?

[Nickjamesups]

OK , we get it , you are assigned to troll these posts and deflect conversations away from the issue by attacking the members who post . Who sent you ? Was it TDU? Or Oz?
why not address the theme instead of the poster?
BTW, do you work for UPS , I-never heard of YOU ! Are you a Trumper ? Are you a democrat ? Are you a trans LGBTQ+ ? Are you trying to make a name for yourself off of Teamsterlink? See I can deflect just like you .

[Hammer]

This is to the inquiring minds here who want to know what I am all about.

I am certainly not a Socialist. If you bothered to look at my personal profile you might get a glimmer as to who I am and what I am about. I am a 13-year Army veteran, 10 in the US military and 3 serving the cause of democracy against dictatorial socialism in Burma assisting democratic freedom fighters and interdicting human trafficking from there into Thailand. At the same time I was a walk-in intelligence asset to the United States government.

I was for a period a shop steward until I had a falling out with my 991 Local principal officer Jim Gookins who was running our supposedly democratic local like it was his personal kingdom. We fought for three years and I damaged his reputation so badly that he lost his last election. His own turned upon him and ate him for lunch. I also fought UPS during the same period and won at the NLRB where UPS finally admitted to the facts of my charges against the company.

My experiences have shaped my unique philosophy, which I describe as being a "Practical Romantic." I believe in the principles of democracy and the U.S. Constitution, inspired by Reagan's vision of America as a "shining city on a hill." But I'm also grounded in reality, recognizing our nation's imperfections and the need for practical solutions that work all.

I've taken personal risks and fought hard for what I believe in, only to see others try to take credit (TDU) as their on when in fact I did most of the fighting relating to the battles I was fight and certainly all of the risk. Unlike TDU, I remain committed to my values, seeking unity and character over party lines. It's a philosophy that combines optimism, realism, and a dedication to the core principles that once united us all, free the oppressed,

De Oppresso Liber!

Carl Gregory?

[JT67]

This is to the inquiring minds here who want to know what I am all about.

I am certainly not a Socialist. If you bothered to look at my personal profile you might get a glimmer as to who I am and what I am about. I am a 13-year Army veteran, 10 in the US military and 3 serving the cause of democracy against dictatorial socialism in Burma assisting democratic freedom fighters and interdicting human trafficking from there into Thailand. At the same time I was a walk-in intelligence asset to the United States government.

I was for a period a shop steward until I had a falling out with my 991 Local principal officer Jim Gookins who was running our supposedly democratic local like it was his personal kingdom. We fought for three years and I damaged his reputation so badly that he lost his last election. His own turned upon him and ate him for lunch. I also fought UPS during the same period and won at the NLRB where UPS finally admitted to the facts of my charges against the company.

My experiences have shaped my unique philosophy, which I describe as being a "Practical Romantic." I believe in the principles of democracy and the U.S. Constitution, inspired by Reagan's vision of America as a "shining city on a hill." But I'm also grounded in reality, recognizing our nation's imperfections and the need for practical solutions that work all.

I've taken personal risks and fought hard for what I believe in, only to see others try to take credit (TDU) as their on when in fact I did most of the fighting relating to the battles I was fight and certainly all of the risk. Unlike TDU, I remain committed to my values, seeking unity and character over party lines. It's a philosophy that combines optimism, realism, and a dedication to the core principles that once united us all, free the oppressed,

De Oppresso Liber!

Carl Gregory?

So do you work for ups now?

[Hammer]

Yes I work for is now in Local 991 at the Panama City Florida center. I am quite searchable on google if you want to look for "Carl Gregory TDU Teamster". I am not actively associated with TDU anymore. It seems to me that maybe they have lost their way somewhere on the way to the bank.

[Hammer]

"I can't help but agree, but I do know that there are many genuine members within the TDU, both past and present. It's unfortunate, though, that some key figures seem to have strayed from their original path. If they've indeed sold out, I hope the price was worth it. It's a sad truth that many who gain power often morph into what they once stood against.

This reminds me of the 1970s when the educated hippies of the 1960s rebellion joined the establishment. They transformed America into a free-for-all scramble for personal gain, building gated communities to keep out the remaining 90%. It's a stark reminder of how quickly ideals can change when power and self-interest come into play.

It makes me very sad, but what I am encouraged by is the members that I am still in touch with did not lose their way and just like me are resisting with all of their might just as I am. In the end, there will be an accounting. I was really surprised to see Ken's email, not that I doubt it because I have spoken to him about a month ago when he called out of the blue with his hand out to congratulate me on the progress that my daughter has made towards obtaining an appointment to the US Naval Academy. At that time I was not writing about the contract being totally focused upon promoting my daughter. His call actually prompted me to start looking more closely at what was going on.

We spoke about 15 minutes. I learned more from what he didn't say than from what he did. I think that he got really pissed off by what I wrote publicly and tagged him with after we hung up. I added a link to that post below. I was in constant contact with him 2 or 3 times a week by phone, text, and email and never got more than a few words out of him at any given time except for a few occasions. I do know something. He may say that he is retired, but you can bet he is still pulling all of the strings at TDU. Of that I have absolutely no doubt.

????p.s. Sorry I couldn't get the link to work I mentioned poistimg above
?