When Union member Eric Aldape showed up in Seattle last Friday, to help a Union Brother by representing him in his Section 17.4 hearing related to his Section 13.3 claim of discrimination, Local 19’s President, Rich Austin said he was not going to allow it.
Rich turned white as a ghost when he saw that Eric was standing outside his Local, then told Eric that he had been disrespected because Eric did not call and tell him he was coming to Seattle.
The rest of the boys were pretty wigged out as well. One actually came over to Eric and asked why he was touching the truck he happened to be standing next to while he was waiting outside the Local. Nice guy.
The fun really started when they sat down to begin the hearing and Rich told Karey to sit next to the court reporter, which is where the person who will be doing the talking sits.
Eric said no, he would be sitting there as he was Karey’s representative and would be doing the talking.
Rich said no, stood up, said he wanted to caucus, and left the room.
Rich told Eric and Karey that only Karey could present his case, that Section 13.2 allows for representatives but not Section 13.3, because 13.3 claims are processed under Section 17.4 and that language says, “the man” may present his case.
Rich and others told Eric and Karey that the Green Book does not apply because this is a Section 17.4 hearing.
Eric provided CLRC Minutes regarding representation and a copy if the argument he made when he represented 2 Local 13 A men at their Section 17.4 hearings, and was told the CLRC Minutes don’t apply.
After about an hour, and a lot of phone calls, PMA said that they were going to cancel the hearing to research whether or not Karey can be represented by another A-man in his Section 17.4 hearing.
Once again, PMA protected a longshoreman from his “Union.”
Longshoremen have been representing their brothers since 1934, but Rich Austin said NO, he will not allow that to happen.
What kind of pathetic Union leadership is that, Rich?
Looks like Eric will be getting another flight to Seattle, but he won’t be flying First Class like Rich Austin does.
To be continued….
What I would like to know is, why did it take so long for someone to do what Eric is doing?
and
Is he the only one that walks the walk, when it comes to; an injury to one is an injury to all?