March 6, 1998

Benetta M. Mansfield
Interim Election Officer
OFFICE OF THE ELECTION OFFICER
FOR THE INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS
444 North Capitol St., N.W., Suite 445
Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 624-3500
(800) 565-VOTE
(202) 624-3525 Facsimile

Dear Ms. Mansfield:

This letter constitutes a formal complaint and request for the election officer to initiate an investigation. 

United Parcel Service recently refused to allow me access to the Oakland Hub. I am a pro-democratic reform steward from Teamster Local 70. I am currently on leave from work. I was denied access on Wednesday, March 4th, in violation of the National Labor Relations Act and a grievance panel decision of September 9, 1997 which directed UPS to allow access to shop stewards on leave. I was attempting to campaign for reelection as shop steward. I am a pro-reform, pro-Carey steward that ran against Teamster Local 70 officials in the last election.

Upon arriving I notified the guard of my intention to enter UPS property. Center Manager, Fred Slats was summoned to the employee entrance. Mr. Slats informed me that Operations Manager, Gary Medeiros did not want me to enter the property because he felt it would be disruptive. I did not argue. I simply left the property and returned the following day, 3-5-98, which was the day of the election. Mr. Slats was again summoned to the employee entrance. Mr. Slats then invited me to enter the property. The voting for shop steward had commenced. The earlier refusal to allow me to enter company property gave my co-workers the impression that I was disempowered thus ineffective. The decision of Gary Medeiros to deny me access to UPS property directly interfered with a union election. It severely obstructed my campaigning for shop steward at a most critical time resulting in an unfair advantage to candidates that were given free reign to campaign on company property. The aforementioned events factored into my eventual loss. 

These actions were a direct violation of the National Labor Relations Act and contrary to two grievance panel decisions. These actions were discriminatory, bad faith and illegal.

United Parcel Service and Teamster Local 70 have clearly demonstrated that they do not want pro-democratic reform shop stewards in office (see case #PR-038). These actions indicate likely collusion with Teamster Local 70 and a successful attempt to stop a pro-democratic reform steward from effectively running for office. 

The three-day time limit for filing election protest leaves me with little opportunity to offer additional documentation. I will make every attempt to do so expeditiously. 

Thank you for any help you may be able to offer regarding this matter. 

Sincerely,
 

Randy Olson

Cc: 
Mike Lewis, Chairman, I.B.T. Ethical Practice Committee
Ken Mee, I.B.T. Western Vice President

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