We have researched and compiled the Salaries and Benifits that a UTU International Officers would receive once we became SMART. The Facts we provide are documented by footnoting to substantiate our sources. It had to remain in PDF format for that reason so please click here for viewing. Also we provide below an update concerning this matter:
- As you probably know, seven UTU International Vice Presidents have joined arm-in-arm with Paul Thompson and have petitioned the Federal Court in Akron to be allowed to intervene in the case as defendants. They are: James Brunkenhoefer, Roy Boling, C.A. Iannone, J.R. Cumby, John Babler, J.D. Fitzgerald and Victor Bafoni.
In their affidavits to the court, they say:
“As an elected officer, I believe I am duty bound to see that the choices of the UTU’s membership are acknowledged and heeded. The UTU’s members voted overwhelmingly to create SMART. I believe the membership’s choice should be recognized in defending this lawsuit, which seeks to disregard that democratic vote. It is apparent that the newly elected International President does not intend to recognize or defend the UTU membership’s vote in this lawsuit.”
They have absolutely nothing to say about:
- The fact that they are, under the law, duty bound to uphold our rights to an informed vote. We could not make a truly democratic vote without all the information.
- The fact that, even though it is required by the Merger Agreement, the SMART constitution has never been submitted to the members for approval.
- The fact that out of 84,000 members, only 8,625 voted for the merger. That could hardly be called “overwhelming’”. They refuse to accept the fact that many people did not vote because there was simply not enough information available.
- The fact that the 8,625 who voted for the merger were repeatedly told the UTU Constitution would remain intact when we now know that was not true.
- The fact that the 8,625 who voted for the merger were repeatedly told we would retain our autonomy, but we now know that was not true.
In the Preliminary Statement they filed with the court, they say they
“…personally oversaw the negotiations for the creation of SMART and were responsible for the decisions made…” (Document 52-2 page 3 – MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF MOTION FOR LEAVE TO INTERVENE ON SIDE OF DEFENDANTS).
This sheds a whole new perspective on their reasons for joining the suit as defendants. We had no idea they had all been working on this together with Paul Thompson and we appreciate their eleventh hour confession. Maybe they can now explain to us why they worked so hard to keep the merger a secret until June 11, 2007. The Board members voted for the merger agreement on June 11th at the Regional meeting in KC. Why was it that as they moved from one seminar to another they had such great difficulty answering questions from members about the merger proposal? Why are all these Vice Presidents now coming out of the closet to take credit for negotiating with the SMWIA and making the decisions for the creation of SMART? Shouldn’t they instead want to be absolved of their guilt by the general membership for their betrayal? When will they show us the SMART constitution they have been hiding from us?
In the same Preliminary Statement they also state they:
“… have nothing to gain in the way of salary or authority…”
A close look at available LM-2 reports, the Merger Agreement and the SMWIA Constitution tells us that it is simply not true. Should these seven Vice Presidents get their way and the merger actually goes through, they will all get an increase in income and benefits. The detailed report is on the Save Our Union website and a synopsis is below.
You can read the materials for yourself and decide just whose side those seven International officers are on. Some of them have been good officers who, in the past, were willing to speak up for all of their members. What has changed their minds? What could possibly have motivated them?
At a time when they should be representing the lawful rights of each and every member of the UTU, they instead are abandoning all of us to join hands with Paul Thompson in a sell-out of our rights, our autonomy and our union. Why?
Under the United Transportation Union:
- The UTU pays its Vice Presidents over $137,000 annually with a daily per Diem of $113, for mileage, airfare, etc. They actually have to leave their house and perform service to collect the expense allowance.
- H&W benefits and the UTU Segregated Fund Pension Plan.
- Under the UTU Constitution our Officers have to run for reelection every four years. This requires them to be somewhat responsive to the UTU Membership or to at least provide a level of service to the General Committees when assigned to assure their support.
Under the Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART):
- Our Vice Presidents would be described as General Vice Presidents, but would be considered SMART International Organizers or Representatives. Their base salary would be approximately $114,000 annually.
- In addition to the above salary, they would receive an additional allowance of $44,000 annually whether they ever leave their house of not? That allowance is for a car and other expenses. This allowance is paid even though they are reimbursed for air fares, rental cars, hotel bills, and etc. while on official business.
- As SMART General Vice Presidents they would number six (6) of the seventeen (17) Vice Presidents. The General President and Vice Presidents make up the General Executive Board. With only six (6) votes out of eighteen (18) who will have the ultimate power and authority in SMART?
- The General President of SMART, Mike Sullivan, would completely control the UTU officers through their paychecks. The SMWIA Constitution grants him the power to adjust, either up or down, the salary and allowances of International Vice Presidents, based on his perception of their performance.
- They would be immediately vested in the Sheet Metal Workers Officer’s Pension Fund, and would receive, on retirement, that payout in addition to what they had accrued in the UTU Segregated Pension fund.
- They are qualified for the SMWIA 401 K plan which is matched up to 3% by Sheet Metal Workers International Association?
- They would immediately be eligible for the SMWIA H&W Plan which is a no cost plan as opposed to the current UTU GA 107300 which has costs that are associated with it?
- They will be entitled to the SMWIA Officers COLA fund.
Here is one very important question to ask. Given the fact that the SMWIA Constitution gives Mike Sullivan the power to control SMART International Organizers, Representatives and General Vice Presidents salaries and allowances, who will these seven Vice Presidents answer to? Will they answer to the members or will they dance to the tunes called by the man who so easily controls their paycheck?
In fact, you could ask, who are they answering to right now? Are they answering to the members they claim to be representing or are they still answering to Paul Thompson and whoever is actually paying their attorneys?
Important Dates:
February 1 – Telephone conference between Judge Adams and all attorneys.
February 8 – Court hearing in Akron.
Words cannot suffice to express our appreciation for the generous donations from members, Locals, State Legislative Boards, and General Committees to the Save Our Union legal fund. We are still working to cover the mounting costs. You can click here for the information and form to send your donation, or simply mail your check to:
Save Our Union
101 Stoney Point Estates Drive
Beebe, AR 72012
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