WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 - Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa and United Auto Workers (UAW) Vice President Bob King joined representatives from labor, environmental and consumer groups outside the Embassy of Japan in Washington today to call on the Japanese government to hold Toyota accountable for waging an attack on thousands of good-paying jobs in the United States.
In addition to endangering 5,000 middle class jobs in the carhaul industry, Toyota is also planning to close its New United Motors Manufacturing Inc. (NUMMI) assembly plant in Fremont, CA, which will mean a loss of up to 50,000 jobs at NUMMI and suppliers and other supporting businesses.
The delegation delivered a letter from UAW Vice President Jimmy Settles and Hoffa to Prime Minister of Japan Yukio Hatoyama following the speaking program. In the letter, the leaders of UAW and the Teamsters expressed concern that Toyota's plan to abandon workers and communities will negatively affect America's perception of Japan, and calls on the Japanese government to meet with them and with Toyota management.
King, who was representing UAW President Ron Gettelfinger and Settles, told the crowd that California led the nation in "Cash for Clunkers" sales in 2009, and that Toyota sold more cars under this program than any other auto maker.
"It's outrageous that the number one-selling car in Cash for Clunkers was the Corolla, the car that is manufactured in the NUMMI plant. After receiving more money in this bailout program than any other company, Toyota is turning its back on American workers and American taxpayers by closing the plant in the state where they sell the most cars in the U.S., shipping these jobs to Japan, and then importing the cars back to the United States for sale," said King.
"Toyota management is seeking to move work from auto transport companies that have delivered their new cars and trucks for decades," Hoffa said. "The loss of this work could lead to the destruction of the largest auto transport companies in the country and the loss of thousands of good, middle class jobs. Toyota promised to support American communities; they're instead threatening the very types of good jobs that our communities need in this time of economic crisis."
"Toyota's plant closure plan in California has betrayed American workers and exhibited a disdain for our federal programs like cash for clunkers that directly and handsomely benefited Toyota," said Dr. Brent Blackwelder, President Emeritus of Friends of the Earth US. "Toyota's decision to shift production to Japan will dramatically increase shipping miles to California for its new vehicles and is inconsistent with a worldwide effort to reduce carbon footprints."
Toyota is likewise losing the trust of the American public by abandoning its commitment to safety and being less than forthright about some of its problematic vehicles, said auto safety advocate Sean Kane, president and founder of Safety Research & Strategies.
"The now well-publicized sudden acceleration problem with some Toyota and Lexus vehicles has actually been festering for a number of years, but Toyota neglected the issue," said Kane. "Now it's trying to repair its image with a series of recalls that few believe will actually repair the many vehicles affected. It's pretty clear that there are a multitude of defects contributing to these unintended accelerating incidents that, unfortunately, have resulted in deaths and injuries."
"The Toyota Fremont, CA NUMMI plant is where the popular Toyota Corolla and Tacoma pickup truck are made, and it has among the best productivity and quality of any assembly plant in the U.S.," King said. "Abandoning this facility and endangering tens of thousands of jobs is a betrayal of Toyota's promise to support communities, and a betrayal of its workers, middle class American jobs and our economic recovery."
Friday, January 29, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
United Auto Workers, Teamsters to Call Toyota 'A Danger to America'
Washington, Jan. 27- Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa and United Auto Workers (UAW) Vice President Bob King, representing UAW President Ron Gettelfinger and UAW Vice President Jimmy Settles, will lead a delegation of labor representatives, environmental advocates and consumer protection advocates in a protest outside the Embassy of Japan in Washington on Thursday, Jan. 28 at 11:15 a.m.
The delegation will also deliver a letter from United Auto Workers Vice President Jimmy Settles and Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa to Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama. In the letter, which will be made available tomorrow, Gettelfinger and Hoffa will express concern that Toyota's plan to abandon workers and communities will impact America's perception of Japan, and calls on the Japanese government to meet with them and with Toyota management.
After receiving millions in the taxpayer-funded Cash for Clunkers bailout, Toyota plans to close its New United Motors Manufacturing Inc. (NUMMI) assembly plant in Fremont, CA, which will mean a loss of 5,400 direct jobs and up to 50,000 jobs at suppliers and other supporting businesses. This would be the biggest factory layoff in California since the beginning of the recession. Toyota is also endangering 5,000 middle class jobs in the carhaul industry.
Environmental advocates at the event will express their disappointment that Toyota, a company that markets itself as a leader in emissions reduction, will greatly expand its carbon footprint by shipping vehicles once made at NUMMI back to the U.S. from Japanese plants.
Toyota's management decisions come at a time of much concern about the company, which had more recalls than any other auto maker in 2009 and has just halted production and sales of 8 models until its spontaneous acceleration problem is resolved.
WHO:
James P. Hoffa, General President, International Brotherhood of Teamsters
Bob King, Vice President, United Auto Workers
Fred Zuckerman, Teamsters Carhaul Division Director
Ron Lopez, member UAW local 2244 and NUMMI worker
Brent Blackwelder, President Emeritus, Friends of the Earth USA
Sean Kane, Founder, Safety Research & Strategies and the Vehicle Safety Information Resource Center
WHAT: Protest of Toyota's attack on the U.S. car manufacturing and carhaul industries
WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010 - Program begins at 11:15 a.m.
WHERE: Embassy of Japan, 2520 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20008
The delegation will also deliver a letter from United Auto Workers Vice President Jimmy Settles and Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa to Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama. In the letter, which will be made available tomorrow, Gettelfinger and Hoffa will express concern that Toyota's plan to abandon workers and communities will impact America's perception of Japan, and calls on the Japanese government to meet with them and with Toyota management.
After receiving millions in the taxpayer-funded Cash for Clunkers bailout, Toyota plans to close its New United Motors Manufacturing Inc. (NUMMI) assembly plant in Fremont, CA, which will mean a loss of 5,400 direct jobs and up to 50,000 jobs at suppliers and other supporting businesses. This would be the biggest factory layoff in California since the beginning of the recession. Toyota is also endangering 5,000 middle class jobs in the carhaul industry.
Environmental advocates at the event will express their disappointment that Toyota, a company that markets itself as a leader in emissions reduction, will greatly expand its carbon footprint by shipping vehicles once made at NUMMI back to the U.S. from Japanese plants.
Toyota's management decisions come at a time of much concern about the company, which had more recalls than any other auto maker in 2009 and has just halted production and sales of 8 models until its spontaneous acceleration problem is resolved.
WHO:
James P. Hoffa, General President, International Brotherhood of Teamsters
Bob King, Vice President, United Auto Workers
Fred Zuckerman, Teamsters Carhaul Division Director
Ron Lopez, member UAW local 2244 and NUMMI worker
Brent Blackwelder, President Emeritus, Friends of the Earth USA
Sean Kane, Founder, Safety Research & Strategies and the Vehicle Safety Information Resource Center
WHAT: Protest of Toyota's attack on the U.S. car manufacturing and carhaul industries
WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010 - Program begins at 11:15 a.m.
WHERE: Embassy of Japan, 2520 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20008
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
AT&T Hiring for More Than 60 Job Openings in Connecticut
Job Fair Focuses on AT&T's Growth Areas of U-verse and Wireless
NEW HAVEN, Conn., Jan. 27 - Today, AT&T announced it will host Job Fairs next week in New Haven, Rocky Hill and Stamford to help fill more than 60 open positions across Connecticut.
AT&T's investment in Connecticut's Advanced TV, Internet and third generation (3G) mobile broadband infrastructure is helping accelerate economic and job growth. As the traditional wireline portion of AT&T's business shrinks, growing business segments - AT&T's U-verse and wireless are creating new job opportunities, many of which are union represented positions. Openings include, but are not limited, to door-to-door sales and retail sales.
"AT&T has career opportunities available for individuals who have equal passion for both customer service and new technologies," said Bill Leahy, vice president AT&T Regulatory and External Affairs for the Atlantic Region. "AT&T's investment, particularly in our growing wireless business and advanced television segments is contributing to Connecticut during these difficult economic times. These are good jobs with wages and benefits that are among the best in the nation."
"AT&T's goal of hiring more than 60 people in Connecticut underscores the importance of creating a climate that helps business of all types and sizes succeed," said Joan McDonald, commissioner of the state Department of Economic and Community Development. "We are fortunate when businesses invest in this state and in turn these businesses are fortunate to have some of the best and brightest talent here in Connecticut."
Candidates interested in a career with AT&T are invited to attend the following informational sessions:
-- Tuesday, January 26 from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. at AT&T, 100 Greyrock Place,
Stamford Town Center, Stamford,
-- Wednesday, January 27 from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. at AT&T, 445 Winchester
Avenue (2 Science Park), New Haven, and
-- Thursday, January 28 from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. at AT&T, 500 Enterprise
Drive, Rocky Hill.
No appointment is necessary.
Additional information on AT&T's many job openings in the state can be found at www.att.jobs.
NEW HAVEN, Conn., Jan. 27 - Today, AT&T announced it will host Job Fairs next week in New Haven, Rocky Hill and Stamford to help fill more than 60 open positions across Connecticut.
AT&T's investment in Connecticut's Advanced TV, Internet and third generation (3G) mobile broadband infrastructure is helping accelerate economic and job growth. As the traditional wireline portion of AT&T's business shrinks, growing business segments - AT&T's U-verse and wireless are creating new job opportunities, many of which are union represented positions. Openings include, but are not limited, to door-to-door sales and retail sales.
"AT&T has career opportunities available for individuals who have equal passion for both customer service and new technologies," said Bill Leahy, vice president AT&T Regulatory and External Affairs for the Atlantic Region. "AT&T's investment, particularly in our growing wireless business and advanced television segments is contributing to Connecticut during these difficult economic times. These are good jobs with wages and benefits that are among the best in the nation."
"AT&T's goal of hiring more than 60 people in Connecticut underscores the importance of creating a climate that helps business of all types and sizes succeed," said Joan McDonald, commissioner of the state Department of Economic and Community Development. "We are fortunate when businesses invest in this state and in turn these businesses are fortunate to have some of the best and brightest talent here in Connecticut."
Candidates interested in a career with AT&T are invited to attend the following informational sessions:
-- Tuesday, January 26 from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. at AT&T, 100 Greyrock Place,
Stamford Town Center, Stamford,
-- Wednesday, January 27 from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. at AT&T, 445 Winchester
Avenue (2 Science Park), New Haven, and
-- Thursday, January 28 from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. at AT&T, 500 Enterprise
Drive, Rocky Hill.
No appointment is necessary.
Additional information on AT&T's many job openings in the state can be found at www.att.jobs.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Consumer Activists, Teamsters Take Fiat/Chrysler Protest to Detroit Auto Show
Move to Cut-rate Carhaulers Destroys Jobs, Can Cause Hidden Car Damage
DETROIT, Jan. 24 - Members of Teamster Local 299 and consumer activists yesterday attended the North American International Auto Show at the Cobo Center to protest Fiat/Chrysler and its attempt to move away from America's longtime professional carhaul companies to cheaper, less-experienced carriers.
Protesters' t-shirts and leaflets read, "Fiat/Chrysler: Damaged When Delivered?", referring to the report, "Damaged When Delivered?" available at www.CarBuyersBeware.com and endorsed by non-profit organizations Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety (CARS), Consumer Action and the Teamsters.
The report contains photographic evidence of the substandard and careless practices being used by alternative carriers to deliver new cars and trucks to auto dealers. The pictures, all taken recently, show the mistakes performed by these carriers and independent contractors that can endanger new vehicles' frames, suspensions, tires, and more.
"It is not surprising that consumer activists and carhaul drivers whose jobs are at risk have joined together to take action against Fiat/Chrysler," said Teamster Local 299 President Kevin Moore. "Fiat/Chrysler received $14 billion from American taxpayers and instead of building trust is eliminating good jobs and replacing them with brokerage firms that do not offer contractors enough money to afford health or retirement benefits.
On top of that, they are putting the public at risk by hiring inexperienced workers to do a job that if done wrong can create hazards to drivers or cause damage to new cars."
CARS and Consumer Action are opposed to these moves as well, stating "one of the most insidious problems American car buyers face is undisclosed damage to new vehicles, which may occur while they are being transported to dealership lots."
In the report, CARS and Consumer Action call on Fiat/Chrysler to "reverse direction and instead of cutting corners on auto shipping, take more steps to ensure that their new vehicles are not damaged en route to dealerships. The car buying public deserves no less."
One of the protesters was CARS member Christina Catalano, whose mother was killed by a defective Chrysler product.
"Chrysler refused to take responsibility for my mother's death," Catalano said. "They hid behind the bailout and the bankruptcy process to avoid dealing with our claims. We're here because they're not taking responsibility for their customers or the carhaul workers."
Teamsters Carhaul Division Director Fred Zuckerman said, "To save a few dollars per car, they are going to destroy a stable industry that provides good jobs and benefits. And they are also risking their new cars arriving at dealerships with hidden damages due to these cut-rate carriers hauling their vehicles improperly and unsafely."
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters was founded in 1903 and represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
DETROIT, Jan. 24 - Members of Teamster Local 299 and consumer activists yesterday attended the North American International Auto Show at the Cobo Center to protest Fiat/Chrysler and its attempt to move away from America's longtime professional carhaul companies to cheaper, less-experienced carriers.
Protesters' t-shirts and leaflets read, "Fiat/Chrysler: Damaged When Delivered?", referring to the report, "Damaged When Delivered?" available at www.CarBuyersBeware.com and endorsed by non-profit organizations Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety (CARS), Consumer Action and the Teamsters.
The report contains photographic evidence of the substandard and careless practices being used by alternative carriers to deliver new cars and trucks to auto dealers. The pictures, all taken recently, show the mistakes performed by these carriers and independent contractors that can endanger new vehicles' frames, suspensions, tires, and more.
"It is not surprising that consumer activists and carhaul drivers whose jobs are at risk have joined together to take action against Fiat/Chrysler," said Teamster Local 299 President Kevin Moore. "Fiat/Chrysler received $14 billion from American taxpayers and instead of building trust is eliminating good jobs and replacing them with brokerage firms that do not offer contractors enough money to afford health or retirement benefits.
On top of that, they are putting the public at risk by hiring inexperienced workers to do a job that if done wrong can create hazards to drivers or cause damage to new cars."
CARS and Consumer Action are opposed to these moves as well, stating "one of the most insidious problems American car buyers face is undisclosed damage to new vehicles, which may occur while they are being transported to dealership lots."
In the report, CARS and Consumer Action call on Fiat/Chrysler to "reverse direction and instead of cutting corners on auto shipping, take more steps to ensure that their new vehicles are not damaged en route to dealerships. The car buying public deserves no less."
One of the protesters was CARS member Christina Catalano, whose mother was killed by a defective Chrysler product.
"Chrysler refused to take responsibility for my mother's death," Catalano said. "They hid behind the bailout and the bankruptcy process to avoid dealing with our claims. We're here because they're not taking responsibility for their customers or the carhaul workers."
Teamsters Carhaul Division Director Fred Zuckerman said, "To save a few dollars per car, they are going to destroy a stable industry that provides good jobs and benefits. And they are also risking their new cars arriving at dealerships with hidden damages due to these cut-rate carriers hauling their vehicles improperly and unsafely."
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters was founded in 1903 and represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
Latest Twist: Ousted Union Officials Show True Colors By Trying to Stop 29 Union Elections
OAKLAND, Jan. 24- After months and months of saying they wanted union elections held immediately at hospitals and nursing homes in California, former SEIU-UHW officials who were ousted from the union are now trying to stop 29 elections that are ready to proceed for more than 4,000 workers.
The former union officials, who were ousted last January for misusing union funds and undermining members' democratic rights, formed a group in January 2009 called the National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW). NUHW filed for elections with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to "decertify" SEIU-UHW and have the workers come over to their organization. Now, they have filed unfair labor practice charges with the NLRB to get the elections stopped.
After campaigning for a year, NUHW has been unable to win support from the workers and now doesn't want to schedule elections they are highly likely to lose. SEIU-UHW is working to make sure the elections move forward quickly, saying that NUHW's arguments are spurious and lack merit. Although the NLRB, SEIU-UHW, and several of the employers have all agreed to election dates in early February, NUHW has refused to enter into the agreements.
"The NUHW hypocrisy is just unbelievable," said Gloria Antonio, a CNA at Vista Manor Nursing Center and Lifehouse in San Jose. "This is something that is very serious and they are playing games with us. If they didn't want elections, they shouldn't have filed for them in the first place. It seems like NUHW's only purpose in filing for a vote was to divide us and make us look weaker to management."
NUHW's attempt to stop elections has had the effect of angering many workers, who say they want the elections held immediately so they can vote to move forward in SEIU-UHW.
"Can we believe anything they tell us - anything at all?" said Valentine Granados, an Environmental Services worker at O'Connor Hospital, part of the Daughters of Charity system. "It is now clearer than ever that the NUHW officials will say anything and do anything if they think it will get our vote. It's time for them to get out of our facilities and out of our lives and let us continue building the strong union we need in SEIU-UHW."
Over the past two weeks, healthcare workers at the 29 California hospitals and nursing homes began seeking to move ahead with elections so they can join more than 55,000 other union members who have already chosen to stay united in SEIU rather than switch to NUHW.
In many places, members have now negotiated strong new contracts that lock in raises and benefits for up to three years - improvements that would be put directly at risk if workers were to leave SEIU-UHW. In others, NUHW is creating division as contracts are being bargained - a situation that management is trying to take advantage of. Members have decided the time has come to get NUHW out of their affairs and end the division.
The former officials who set up NUHW were removed from office in SEIU-UHW for improperly transferring $3 million in members' dues to an outside account for their own use, stashing $500,000 in a lawyer's bank account, and violating the democratic rights of SEIU-UHW members. The local union was placed in trusteeship, and the former officials go to trial in federal court in March on charges of harming the union and its members, and could face a significant financial judgment against them.
Since NUHW was formed nearly a year ago, not a single SEIU member has switched to that organization. Last year, 55,964 members stuck with SEIU, despite decertification efforts by the group of ousted leaders. This included 10,000 home care workers in Fresno County, 22,000 home care workers in San Francisco, 18,000 home care workers in Sacramento, and more than 3,000 hospital and healthcare workers at Alameda Hospital, Alameda County Medical Center, Washington Hospital in Fremont, Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister, Natividad Medical Center in Salinas, and 2,300 workers in Monterey County.
SEIU - United Healthcare Workers-West (SEIU-UHW) is the largest hospital and healthcare union in the western United States with more than 150,000 members. We unite every type of healthcare worker with a mission to achieve high-quality healthcare for all. SEIU-UHW is part of the 2.1 million-member Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the nation's fastest-growing union.
The former union officials, who were ousted last January for misusing union funds and undermining members' democratic rights, formed a group in January 2009 called the National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW). NUHW filed for elections with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to "decertify" SEIU-UHW and have the workers come over to their organization. Now, they have filed unfair labor practice charges with the NLRB to get the elections stopped.
After campaigning for a year, NUHW has been unable to win support from the workers and now doesn't want to schedule elections they are highly likely to lose. SEIU-UHW is working to make sure the elections move forward quickly, saying that NUHW's arguments are spurious and lack merit. Although the NLRB, SEIU-UHW, and several of the employers have all agreed to election dates in early February, NUHW has refused to enter into the agreements.
"The NUHW hypocrisy is just unbelievable," said Gloria Antonio, a CNA at Vista Manor Nursing Center and Lifehouse in San Jose. "This is something that is very serious and they are playing games with us. If they didn't want elections, they shouldn't have filed for them in the first place. It seems like NUHW's only purpose in filing for a vote was to divide us and make us look weaker to management."
NUHW's attempt to stop elections has had the effect of angering many workers, who say they want the elections held immediately so they can vote to move forward in SEIU-UHW.
"Can we believe anything they tell us - anything at all?" said Valentine Granados, an Environmental Services worker at O'Connor Hospital, part of the Daughters of Charity system. "It is now clearer than ever that the NUHW officials will say anything and do anything if they think it will get our vote. It's time for them to get out of our facilities and out of our lives and let us continue building the strong union we need in SEIU-UHW."
Over the past two weeks, healthcare workers at the 29 California hospitals and nursing homes began seeking to move ahead with elections so they can join more than 55,000 other union members who have already chosen to stay united in SEIU rather than switch to NUHW.
In many places, members have now negotiated strong new contracts that lock in raises and benefits for up to three years - improvements that would be put directly at risk if workers were to leave SEIU-UHW. In others, NUHW is creating division as contracts are being bargained - a situation that management is trying to take advantage of. Members have decided the time has come to get NUHW out of their affairs and end the division.
The former officials who set up NUHW were removed from office in SEIU-UHW for improperly transferring $3 million in members' dues to an outside account for their own use, stashing $500,000 in a lawyer's bank account, and violating the democratic rights of SEIU-UHW members. The local union was placed in trusteeship, and the former officials go to trial in federal court in March on charges of harming the union and its members, and could face a significant financial judgment against them.
Since NUHW was formed nearly a year ago, not a single SEIU member has switched to that organization. Last year, 55,964 members stuck with SEIU, despite decertification efforts by the group of ousted leaders. This included 10,000 home care workers in Fresno County, 22,000 home care workers in San Francisco, 18,000 home care workers in Sacramento, and more than 3,000 hospital and healthcare workers at Alameda Hospital, Alameda County Medical Center, Washington Hospital in Fremont, Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister, Natividad Medical Center in Salinas, and 2,300 workers in Monterey County.
SEIU - United Healthcare Workers-West (SEIU-UHW) is the largest hospital and healthcare union in the western United States with more than 150,000 members. We unite every type of healthcare worker with a mission to achieve high-quality healthcare for all. SEIU-UHW is part of the 2.1 million-member Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the nation's fastest-growing union.
Unite BA Pilots Union to Respect Trade Union Principles
LONDON, January 23- Unite the Union today warned the British Airlines Pilots Association (BALPA) that it was not acceptable for it to take a "neutral" stance over its members being used as possible strike-breakers in the dispute between British Airways and its cabin crew.
And the two major unions at BA - Unite and the GMB - have issued a joint statement warning all BA employees that if they take up the company's offer to become strike-breakers in the event of renewed industrial action between cabin crew and the airlines, they will be putting their permanent jobs at risk.
The warning to BALPA follows a statement by the pilots union that it would take a neutral position on any of its members volunteering to work as strike breakers in the event of strike action being taken in the dispute over the imposition of changes to cabin crew numbers and working conditions. Unite is balloting over 12,000 cabin crew members on industrial action, with the result expected on February 22nd.
Unite Joint General Secretary Tony Woodley said today: "It is not acceptable for trade unionists to act as strike-breakers in a legitimate industrial dispute, nor for pilots to use their privileged position to undermine much lower-paid trade union colleagues.
"Still less is it acceptable for their union - BALPA - to declare themselves neutral over strike-breaking. This is a clear breach of basic trade union principles, and I will be raising this matter urgently with the leadership of BALPA and with the TUC."
The joint statement by Unite and the GMB, sent to all BA employees in the two unions, warns them that if they volunteer to act as strike-breakers, they will be sending a message to management that the airline can operate without them doing their regular job.
Len McCluskey, the lead Unite negotiator with British Airways, said today: "Anyone volunteering to do the work of striking cabin crew members has to ask themselves - when the next round of job cuts come, have I flagged up my post as superfluous?
"Of course, management will make all sorts of promises, but can a management that imposes changes to contractual conditions and spends much of its time thinking up ways to denigrate professional and loyal employees really be trusted?"
And the two major unions at BA - Unite and the GMB - have issued a joint statement warning all BA employees that if they take up the company's offer to become strike-breakers in the event of renewed industrial action between cabin crew and the airlines, they will be putting their permanent jobs at risk.
The warning to BALPA follows a statement by the pilots union that it would take a neutral position on any of its members volunteering to work as strike breakers in the event of strike action being taken in the dispute over the imposition of changes to cabin crew numbers and working conditions. Unite is balloting over 12,000 cabin crew members on industrial action, with the result expected on February 22nd.
Unite Joint General Secretary Tony Woodley said today: "It is not acceptable for trade unionists to act as strike-breakers in a legitimate industrial dispute, nor for pilots to use their privileged position to undermine much lower-paid trade union colleagues.
"Still less is it acceptable for their union - BALPA - to declare themselves neutral over strike-breaking. This is a clear breach of basic trade union principles, and I will be raising this matter urgently with the leadership of BALPA and with the TUC."
The joint statement by Unite and the GMB, sent to all BA employees in the two unions, warns them that if they volunteer to act as strike-breakers, they will be sending a message to management that the airline can operate without them doing their regular job.
Len McCluskey, the lead Unite negotiator with British Airways, said today: "Anyone volunteering to do the work of striking cabin crew members has to ask themselves - when the next round of job cuts come, have I flagged up my post as superfluous?
"Of course, management will make all sorts of promises, but can a management that imposes changes to contractual conditions and spends much of its time thinking up ways to denigrate professional and loyal employees really be trusted?"
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Stephen Schultz s Guilty in Business Opportunity Fraud Scheme
Operations Had Connections to Florida, Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico
WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 - Stephen Schultz entered a guilty plea in federal district court in Miami to 12 counts of an indictment pending against him, the Justice Department and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service announced today. Schultz pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, eight counts of mail fraud, and three counts of wire fraud. The actions against Schultz are part of the government's continued nationwide crackdown on business opportunity fraud.
Schultz was arrested on Dec. 12, 2008, in Costa Rica following his indictment by a federal grand jury in Miami on Nov. 20, 2008. According to the charges against him, Schultz and a co-conspirator, Jeffrey Pearson, purported to sell beverage and greeting card business opportunities, including assistance in establishing, maintaining, and operating such businesses. Following his arrest in Costa Rica, Schultz was extradited to the United States.
Schultz worked for USA Beverages Inc., Twin Peaks Gourmet Coffee Inc. and Cards-R-Us Inc. Beginning in 2005, USA Beverages sold business opportunities to own and operate coffee beverage display racks. USA Beverages rented office space in Las Cruces, N.M., and otherwise made it appear to potential purchasers that USA Beverages' operations were fully within the United States. However, USA Beverages actually operated from Costa Rica.
After USA Beverages, Schultz worked for Twin Peaks, which was a Florida and Colorado corporation. Twin Peaks sold business opportunities to own and operate coffee beverage sale display racks. Twin Peaks rented office space in Fort Collins, Colo., to make it appear to potential purchasers that its operations were fully within the United States. In truth, Twin Peaks also operated from Costa Rica.
Schultz next worked for Cards-R-Us, which was a Nevada corporation that sold business opportunities to own and operate greeting card sale display racks. Cards-R-Us rented office space in Reno, Nev., to make it appear to potential purchasers that Cards-R-Us' operations were fully within the United States. Like USA Beverages and Twin Peaks, Cards-R-Us actually operated out of Costa Rica.
Schultz and his co-conspirators made, and caused others to make, numerous false statements to fraudulently induce the purchase of business opportunities. Potential purchasers were falsely told that the companies were established years earlier, had a significant number of distributors across the country, and had a track record of success. Potential purchasers were referred to references who told false tales of their success as business opportunity owners. Through these and other misrepresentations, purchasers of the business opportunities were led to believe that they would likely earn substantial profits.
"Business opportunity fracud targets Americans who are working hard to start a business and earn an honest living. While these fraud schemes may sometimes operate beyond our borders, they aren't beyond the reach of United States law," said Tony West, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division of the Department of Justice. "The Justice Department is committed to prosecuting those who steal through false promises of financial success."
In pleading guilty, Schultz admitted that his role in the conspiracy resulted in between $2.5 million and $7 million in losses to investors and harmed more than 250 victims. Schultz faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison on the conspiracy count, and 25 years on each of the mail and wire fraud counts. He also faces a possible fine and mandatory restitution.
Assistant Attorney General West commended the investigative efforts of the agencies involved in this matter, the Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Trade Commission, which previously brought a related civil suit and made a criminal referral. The Justice Department's Civil Division is handling the criminal prosecution.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 - Stephen Schultz entered a guilty plea in federal district court in Miami to 12 counts of an indictment pending against him, the Justice Department and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service announced today. Schultz pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, eight counts of mail fraud, and three counts of wire fraud. The actions against Schultz are part of the government's continued nationwide crackdown on business opportunity fraud.
Schultz was arrested on Dec. 12, 2008, in Costa Rica following his indictment by a federal grand jury in Miami on Nov. 20, 2008. According to the charges against him, Schultz and a co-conspirator, Jeffrey Pearson, purported to sell beverage and greeting card business opportunities, including assistance in establishing, maintaining, and operating such businesses. Following his arrest in Costa Rica, Schultz was extradited to the United States.
Schultz worked for USA Beverages Inc., Twin Peaks Gourmet Coffee Inc. and Cards-R-Us Inc. Beginning in 2005, USA Beverages sold business opportunities to own and operate coffee beverage display racks. USA Beverages rented office space in Las Cruces, N.M., and otherwise made it appear to potential purchasers that USA Beverages' operations were fully within the United States. However, USA Beverages actually operated from Costa Rica.
After USA Beverages, Schultz worked for Twin Peaks, which was a Florida and Colorado corporation. Twin Peaks sold business opportunities to own and operate coffee beverage sale display racks. Twin Peaks rented office space in Fort Collins, Colo., to make it appear to potential purchasers that its operations were fully within the United States. In truth, Twin Peaks also operated from Costa Rica.
Schultz next worked for Cards-R-Us, which was a Nevada corporation that sold business opportunities to own and operate greeting card sale display racks. Cards-R-Us rented office space in Reno, Nev., to make it appear to potential purchasers that Cards-R-Us' operations were fully within the United States. Like USA Beverages and Twin Peaks, Cards-R-Us actually operated out of Costa Rica.
Schultz and his co-conspirators made, and caused others to make, numerous false statements to fraudulently induce the purchase of business opportunities. Potential purchasers were falsely told that the companies were established years earlier, had a significant number of distributors across the country, and had a track record of success. Potential purchasers were referred to references who told false tales of their success as business opportunity owners. Through these and other misrepresentations, purchasers of the business opportunities were led to believe that they would likely earn substantial profits.
"Business opportunity fracud targets Americans who are working hard to start a business and earn an honest living. While these fraud schemes may sometimes operate beyond our borders, they aren't beyond the reach of United States law," said Tony West, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division of the Department of Justice. "The Justice Department is committed to prosecuting those who steal through false promises of financial success."
In pleading guilty, Schultz admitted that his role in the conspiracy resulted in between $2.5 million and $7 million in losses to investors and harmed more than 250 victims. Schultz faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison on the conspiracy count, and 25 years on each of the mail and wire fraud counts. He also faces a possible fine and mandatory restitution.
Assistant Attorney General West commended the investigative efforts of the agencies involved in this matter, the Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Trade Commission, which previously brought a related civil suit and made a criminal referral. The Justice Department's Civil Division is handling the criminal prosecution.
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