Findings in Vegas Teamsters case upheld

Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2003 | 11:10 a.m.

A federal judge has upheld the ruling of a review board that investigated accusations that a Chicago Teamsters official tried to steer Las Vegas convention jobs away from the union and to his brother's temporary labor firm.

U.S. District Judge Loretta Preska of the Southern District of New York affirmed expulsions recommended by the Independent Review Board -- a federal body that serves as a watchdog of the union -- in the investigation of charges against William T. Hogan Jr. and Dane M. Passo.

Hogan and Passo, who could not be reached for comment, have called the charges "ludicrous."

In addition to upholding the Independent Review Board's findings, Preska's 40-page order, issued late last month, denied that sanctions recommended by the board were too harsh.

Union investigators in early 2001 accused Hogan of putting pressure on Teamsters Local 631 in Las Vegas to shift jobs to lower-paid nonunion workers supplied by United Services Cos., Chicago. Hogan's brother, Mike, was an officer at United Services.

The 4,500-member Local 631 represents truck drivers, mechanics and janitors and most of its members work at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the Nevada Test Site, Republic Services of Southern Nevada's Silver State Disposal Service Inc., and United Parcel Service.

The union coordinates the hiring of convention set-ups and custodial work at the major conventions in Las Vegas.

According to investigators, Hogan set up a meeting between his brother's company and Local 631 representatives. He said it was his intent to help the local because it couldn't always find enough workers for the largest shows. He also said he hoped nonunion workers could be convinced to join the Teamsters.

Passo, a top aide to Teamsters President James P. Hoffa, son of the legendary union leader, was accused of assisting Hogan in the matter.

They were accused of bringing reproach upon the Teamsters and violating the union's constitution by colluding with nonunion employers to enter into substandard contracts to the detriment of the union membership.

The original hearing was conducted in October 2001 and the decision from the office of Chief Investigator Charles Carberry was issued in May 2002.