LIUNA takeover bid of Local 183 dealt serious blow - arbitrator confirms "emergency trusteeship" is dead

    TORONTO, Jan. 18 /CNW/ - The Labourers' International Union of North
America's (LIUNA) bid to take over the largest construction union in
North America was dealt a serious blow today by an independent arbitrator who
confirmed "there is no existing trusteeship" at Local 183.
    The ruling came from Brian Keller, Canadian Independent Hearing Officer
(CIHO), who is adjudicating at internal union hearings that have been called
as a result of LIUNA's latest efforts to take over the leadership and assets
of Local 183.
    "We look forward to a full airing of the evidence before Mr. Keller,"
said Tony Dionisio, Business Manager for Local 183. "This hearing will
demonstrate that LIUNA's allegations are totally unfounded and motivated only
by a desire to seize control of our membership and our assets."
    Local 183 of the Universal Workers Union is the most successful
construction union in North America, representing more than 34,000 members
through South and Central Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area. Since 1994,
LIUNA's Washington based leadership has repeatedly tried to alter the
jurisdiction of Local 183, take over its leadership and break it up. It has
misused the power of its American based constitution and launched repeated
attacks and complaints against Local 183.
    In December 2004, LIUNA attempted to impose an emergency trusteeship on
Local 183. Since that time both the Ontario Labour Relations Board and
independent hearings officer Brian Keller have confirmed that the
democratically elected leadership of Local 183 continue to exercise all of the
responsibilities and obligations provided to them by the members of Local 183.

For further information: Mary MacNutt, (416) 531-3104, (416) 910-9273; 
For background information visit: www.local183.ca