Copyright 1998 The Hartford Courant Company  
Hartford Courant (Connecticut)
May 29, 1998 Friday, 7 HARTFORD NORTH FINAL
SECTION: CONNECTICUT; Pg. B9

LENGTH: 376 words

HEADLINE: LABOR UNION DISSIDENT'S TREATMENT DRAWS PROTEST

BYLINE: ANDREW JULIEN; Courant Staff Writer

BODY:
The head of a congressional panel investigating union democracy has written to the head of the Laborers International Union of North America in Washington, D.C., voicing concern about the way a dissident from the Hartford local has been treated since testifying.

The letter was sent to Laborers general president Arthur Coia and a copy was sent to Attorney General Janet Reno. It was prompted by the fallout that followed the testimony of Local 230 member Steve Manos May 4 before the subcommittee on employer-employee relations.

The letter raises questions about changes in a civil defamation lawsuit filed by Local 230 business manager Charles LeConche against Manos. After the testimony, the suit was amended and included a reference to what Manos told the panel.

Manos, who is running against LeConche to head the Hartford laborers local, told the panel that he has suffered harassment, intimidation and physical assault for speaking out against the local's leaders.

"I, and the other members of the subcommittee, wish to state in the clearest possible terms that the subcommittee will not tolerate any retaliation . . . and that the subcommittee will take every step necessary and possible to protect these witnesses should there be any hint of retaliation," U.S. Rep. Harris Fawell, R-Ill., wrote.

LeConche's attorney, Patrick Tomasiewicz, said the amended complaint was filed in response to motions filed by Manos and had nothing to do with the testimony in Washington.

"With absolute deference to Mr. Fawell, we disgaree with the contention that the amended complaint is retaliation against Mr. Manos for testifying," Tomasiewicz said. "The claim is hyperbole, it's just not the case."

The reference in the complaint to the testimony, he said, is just one paragraph in a lengthy complaint that details various examples of "tortious conduct committed by Mr. Manos against Mr. LeConche."

Jay Diskey, a spokesman for the committee, said the letter to Coia makes clear that union members who testify before Congress must feel safe. Other steps, such as investigations by the Department of Justice or Department of Labor, are possible, Diskey said.

But, he said, "Right now, we're just simply asking these unions to put the word out."