FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 23, 1999
CONTACT: Dan Rene, 703-847-3088 or drene@nlpc.org
WASHINGTON -- Today the National Legal and Policy Center, a union corruption watchdog group, received a response letter from the Pubic Review Board (PRB) of the Hotel Employees & Restaurant Employees Int'l Union (HERE) indicating that it will probe of the apparent lack of integrity in HERE President John W. Wilhelm and other officials' implementation of anti-corruption reforms.
"It appears to be good news for members and bad news for corrupt bosses," said NLPC Chairman Ken Boehm. "I am pleased that the Public Review Board is moving forward on NLPC's findings of possible wrongdoing within HERE."
On August 30, NLPC filed a six-page complaint addressed to HERE's former court-appointed Monitor Kurt W. Muellenberg, who is also a member of PRB. Muellenberg's final report last year included reform recommendations to help reduce corruption within HERE. NLPC's complaint detailed three sources of concern: 1) Wilhelm's refusal to close HERE's Midwestern Regional Office, 2) HERE Secretary-Treasurer Ted T. Hansen's role in the reform process and 3) HERE General Counsel Robert J. Rotatori's role in the reform process.
NLPC's complaint stated: "NLPC believes that these possible lapses of integrity should be investigated by PRB in order to 'insure high moral and ethical standards in the administration and operational practice of [HERE]' [as stated in HERE's Constitution.] Further, if PRB finds that such lapses in integrity occurred or persist, NLPC requests that PRB "remove, suspend, expel, fine or forfeit the benefits...of any officer" in accordance with PRB's jurisdiction."
"One of Mullenberg's Recommendations states, 'Consider abolishing Midwestern Regional Office.' Wilhelm asserted that this has been completed. But, Wilhelm didn't abolish that office," commented Boehm. "Offering his best imitation of Bill Clinton, Wilhelm alleged that this reform has been completed because he and HERE 'considered' it. Such double-speak violates at least the spirit, if not the letter, of HERE's Ethical Practices Code."
"HERE has long been a union troubled by corruption... Practices and individuals with links to the 'old guard' should at the very minimum be investigated by PRB, and if violations are found, PRB should administer the appropriate penalties," NLPC's complaint concluded.
For a copy of NLPC's complaint visit www.nlpc.org or call 703-847-3088.
NLPC's Organized Labor Accountability Project is investigating and exposing corruption in the Teamsters, LIUNA, HERE, AFL-CIO and other labor organizations. NLPC publishes Union Corruption Update, a fortnightly newsletter. NLPC is a nonpartisan, nonprofit foundation promoting ethics and accountability in government through research, education and legal action.
Related August 30, 1999 Media Release
Organized Labor Accountability Project