For the first time, the Hoffa administration has refused to reveal the local-by-local vote on a national contract. This cover-up must end: let members see the votes on the Jack Cooper contract modification which was reported ratified on September 12.
On September 12, the IBT reported that the vote was 868 yes to 427 no, and that now the sale of the company to a new owner can move forward in October.
In every national contract vote for decades, the vote results have been revealed by Local.
That sunshine rule is very important. In 2003 the Hoffa administration rigged a vote on a carhaul contract, specifically the Michigan Office Workers Supplement. In the McCuiston v Hoffa case, we proved that the results were inaccurate, and the Hoffa administration settled the case. As a result, members have had observer rights on national contract votes.
Members have demanded that the results be released, as in the past. Furthermore, the contract pension modifications affects the supplemental agreements, and the local votes are needed to see if each supplement passed. It is possible that the Eastern Supplement was rejected.
Fred Zuckerman, the president of Local 89, a major carhaul local, sent Hoffa and carhaul director Kevin Moore a letter requesting the count, or a letter explaining why the numbers are being hidden from members. Zuckerman forcefully argues that disclosure is required by transparency and the IBT Constitution.
If Hoffa and Moore have nothing to hide, then release the numbers in the contract vote, as has always been done previously.