March 1, 2025

Brothers & Sisters,

The Jurisdictional Hearing for the dispute filed by LU89 President/IBT General Executive Board member Avral Thompson was heard by the Joint Council 94 Panel this week. While ART XIX of the IBT Constitution provides that both Parties “may select only a member in good standing to represent the [Local] in the presentation” of their case, LU89 VP Brian Hamm, LU89 President/IBT GEB member Avral Thompson, and IBT General Secretary Treasurer Fred Zuckerman presented the case for LU89. After objecting to the Constitutional violation, GST Zuckerman informed the Panel that there is no limit to the number of Presenters either Party can have and the Panel agreed.

Regarding the substance of the case, under sworn testimony LU89 VP Brian Hamm stated that LU2727 UTIL’s have never shipped or received parts into or out of the SH for over 30 years. Hamm was either lying or too lazy to look at the documents provided to LU89 (him) and LU2727 that proved that parts have been direct shipped and received by LU2727 UTILs from the SDF UTIL Work Center to/from Vendors and other LU2727 Work Centers from around the country for many years.

In sworn testimony, LU89 Steward Dennis Pitts agreed that AMDC employees have never performed LU2727 SDF UTIL Work Center and that LU2727 UTILs exclusively perform the work in the LU2727 UTIL SDF Work Center (NH & SH). Based on Mr. Pitts’ and other LU89 representatives sworn testimony, there should be no dispute that LU2727 UTIL employees have sole jurisdiction over this work in the LU2727 UTIL SDF Work Center (NH & SH).    

While Thompson continued to claim that he never intended to endanger any LU2727 UTIL members’ jobs during the hearing, THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT HE'S DOING! Anyone that was present would agree that an Arbitrator would rule in our favor based on the evidence presented as Arbitrator Strongin did. 

After approximately eight hours of testimony, it appears that the Panel took less than ten minutes to discuss and draft their 1.5-page decision. Compare that to the 17-page decision from Arbitrator Strongin [LU2727 XX13 posted below]. Some of these panel members are paid thousands of dollars a month to perform their duties as Joint Council 94 Executive Board members and a 1.5-page decision is the best they can do? MONEY WELL SPENT! The LU2727 and LU89 Opening Statements, Exhibits, Transcripts, JC 94 Hearing Panel Decision and LU2727 Appeal to President O'Brien are posted below.   

Joint Council Panel Hearing Members:

• Luke Farley, Chairman / Teamsters Local 175 Secretary Treasurer
• Justin Scharrer / Teamsters Local 783 President
• Patty Grimm / Teamsters Local 236 President
• Darren Woodward / Teamsters Local 236 Vice President
• Steve Day / Teamsters Local 175 President
• Rick Bauer / Teamsters Local 697 President
• Earl Brown/ Teamsters Local 215 President