I'm writing to inform you of the discrimination I have suffered,
being part of Laborers Local 230 from 1964 to 1997.
In 1964, I joined Local 230. In 1985 I became a candidate for
office, and ran for election In 1986. This was the beginning of all my troubles.
I was knocked off a job at this time, and was kept benched for the next six years. Because of this, I ran
into financial woes, losing my home, family, car and eventually ending up
on the welfare roles. Thus, I was unable to pay my dues, resulting in the loss of my book.
Finally in 1992, the NLRB [National Labor Relations Board] granted
my backpay, after an appeal pending four years. I immediately sent money for the return of
my book.
Instead, I was told I would never be allowed back
into the union, ever, nor would I ever be granted a book, This was in
total contrast to the NLRB decision of making me whole!
I have since, along with Gary Wall, exhausted all
remedies within the NLRB, which took eight years, And still they will not exercise their
power to reinstate me.
I have no way of knowing what is going on with my
pension. Not being allowed to attend meetings, I have to rely on hearsay. This is the
punishment Gary Wall and I have received for trying to expose wrongdoing in Local 230
pensions.
WIllIAM COOKSEY
Hartford, Connecticut