LIUNA Dissidents Confirm Reforms a Failure

NLPC Chairman Blasts LIUNA and Calls for Government Takeover of Union

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- National Legal and Policy Center Chairman Ken Boehm had the following statement regarding the testimony of LIUNA dissidents before the Congressional Subcommittee on "Impediments to Union Democracy":

"The testimony given today by LIUNA dissidents comes as no surprise. Workers are becoming more and more frustrated by having union democracy opposed. Workers shouldn't have to tolerate their leadership being controlled by those linked to organized crime."

"According to Justice in 1994 LIUNA President Arthur Coia is beholden to organized crime. How can Justice sit there doing nothing? How can anyone reasonably expect an individual tied to organized crime to rid his organization of organized crime?"

Mr. Boehm added, "The unseemly and unethical appearance continues: Justice is allowing organized crime to continue its control over LIUNA while the current LIUNA leadership remains an enormous source of political contributions for the President and his allies."

"Attorney General Reno and Justice should stop the charade. Coia is unfit to remain as union president. How much more evidence is needed to prove to Justice that it's 'necessary and desirable' to oust Coia and organized crime from LIUNA?" asked Mr. Boehm. "Justice should remove Coia from all leadership positions and take over LIUNA. And Justice must act quickly in removing Coia because their authority to do so expires on Jan. 31, 1999."

NLPC is a nonprofit, nonpartisan foundation promoting ethics and accountability in government. NLPC was a plaintiff in the lawsuit which succeeded in opening the records of Hillary Rodham Clinton's Health Care Task Force. NLPC's Organized Labor Accountability Project is investigating and exposing corruption in the Teamsters, LIUNA, AFL-CIO and other labor organizations.

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Go to NLPC's Organized Labor Accountability Project

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