We have grave concerns about the credibility of the Joint Council 7, Teamster Local 70, United Parcel Service Grievance Panel and its process.  Two of the alleged participants in the allegations below are Mr. Ed Quintel, Business Agent from Teamster Local 287 who is Co-Chairperson and Mr.Jack Bookter, Secretary Treasurer of Local 278 is the Chairperson.

Are these allegations true? That will be for the IRB and the courts to determine.  If you have any information regarding these allegation e-mail us at olsonsfriends@aol.com. Or you can contact Attorney Christopher Katzenbach (address below)

Independent Review Board                                                Certified Mail No: Z 549 892 323
444 North Capitol Street, NW
Suite 528
Washington, D.C. 20001

Re: Alleged Improprieties of Teamster Union Officials and UPS Management
during Golf Tournament of June 30, 1999.

Dear Members of the Independent Review Board:

It has come to my attention that United Parcel Service, Teamster Business Agents and selected Stewards recently participated in a seminar and golf tournament that was sponsored and paid for by United Parcel Service. This event took place on June 30, 1999 at the Canyon Lakes Golf Course, 640 Bollinger Canyon Way, San Ramon, California.  The phone number is 925-735-6511.

If this allegation is true, it is a serious breach of trust and a violation of the law. I have been informed that some of the Teamster Officials that participated and received this gratuity were grievance panel members. This would include Ed Quintel, Business Agent from Teamster Local 287. Mr. Quintel is also Co-Chair of the U.P.S. Nor. Cal.
Grievance Panel. Rumor has it that some disciplinary action may have been taken against Mr. Quintel by Local 287 relevant to this incident. Mr. Jack Bookter, Secretary Treasurer of Local 278 also attended. Mr.
Bookter is the Chair of the U.P.S. Nor. Cal. Grievance Panel. It has also come to my attention that Teamster participants may have subsequently attempted to or have paid for their portion of the tournament in an attempt to cover up this violation of the law. It is likely that an additional twenty Business Agents and Shop Stewards were
entertained for the day courtesy of United Parcel Service. 

In light of this incident, it would appear to be prudent to investigate past events of a similar nature. The openness of this infraction would lead one to believe that the acceptance of gratuities is viewed by some as business as usual. How often does this happen? Who actually pays for lunches, dinners, rooms and entertainment during the grievance panels?

If these allegations are true, it puts into question the objectivity and fairness of the grievance process within Teamster Joint Council 7.

Please consider this letter to be a formal request that this and any other questionable instances, which come to light, be thoroughly investigated by your office.

Sincerely,
 

Charles R. Engel
Member, Teamster Local 70

Cc: 
Christopher Katzenbach (SBN 108006)
Katzenbach and Khtikian
1714 Stockton Street, Suite 300
San Francisco, Ca. 94133-2930
Phone: (415) 834-1778  Fax: (415) 834-1842
Re:     UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT, NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 
        Case No. C-99-0970 CW