Charges Against Union Denied
Labor Lawyer Says
Wall Offered A Chance To Work
By Lawrence Strauss
Journal Inquirer Staff Writer
A Hartford labor lawyer on Thursday rebutted
several allegations made by Gary R. Wall, a Wetherfield man who has contended that his
union's leadership is corrupt and that it has blackballed him.
Several of Wall's allegations about the union,
Laborers Local 230, were printed in a Journal Inquirer story Wednesday.
Robert M. Cheverie, who defended
the union in a complaint filed by Wall with the National Labor Relations
Board, responded to some of the allegations during an interview in his office.
Among other things, Wall said the union has kept
him from working for more than a year.
"I resent very much the allegation that the
union has blackballed Mr. Wall," Cheverie said.
The union , Cheverie said, has provided
opportunities for Wall to work on many occasions
Wall scored a victory over the summer when an
administrative law judge, after reviewing a complaint he had filed with the NLRB, sided
with Wall. The judge, Wallace H. Nations, ruled that the union engaged in unfair labor
practices when it refused to refer work to four members.
Wall also said that Cheverie, in
speaking at a union meeting in Hartford last month, called the judge a "moron."
"I certainly didn't call the judge a moron," Cheverie said. I did criticize his
decision."
Wall had accused Cheverie of telling the NLRB
"the big lie." The union plans to appeal the decision , a move Wall thinks is
ludicrous and too expensive.
Responding to Wall's comments about "the big
lie" and the appeal, Cheverie said, "I felt there was a sound
reason for an appeal. And I feel Mr. Wall has created a conspiracy theory, which is
difficult to rebut, and that once a judge buys part of a conspiracy theory, he then adopts
the entire conspiracy theory, which has resulted in the decision going against the
union."
Asked what he meant by the "conspiracy
theory," Cheverie said he was referring to Wall's allegation that the union has
conspired against him and others to keep them out of work.
Referring to his own remarks at
the union meeting last month, the lawyer added: "I said that the conspiracy theory is
based upon a big lie."
"This is 'On the Waterfront.' He (Wall) is
the bad guy," Cheverie said, referring to a published remark by Wall
in which he accused the union's leadership of corruption.
Cheverie contends Wall, in making allegations
about corruption, has never produced any specific evidence. Wall has said he feels
vindicated by the NLRB ruling.
Wall also has noted that his attempts to challenge
the union's leadership, including an unsuccessful bid for office in June 1986, have cost
him dearly and that he has attempted to reform the organization legitimately.
Cheverie accused Wall of using "threats"
and "intimidation," among other tactics, in union affairs.
Wall has said he plans to run
another slate of candidates in the next union election. Chrverie pointed to the
incumbents' 514 votes.
As for Wall's contention that he was silenced at the union meeting last month after he tried to speak out, the lawyer said, "Mr. Wall's ability to speak out and exercise his free-speech rights have never been curtailed