November 2, 2011

Statement from Joe Hansen, UFCW International President on Trusteeship of UFCW Local 348S in Brooklyn, New York

(Washington, D.C.) — Following is a statement from Joe Hansen, United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) International President on the trusteeship of UFCW Local 348S:

“”The UFCW International Union took action today to place UFCW Local 348S of Brooklyn, New York, under trusteeship. Our primary objective is protecting the local union’s members. We will assure that their contracts, benefits, and benefit funds are protected and provide the level of service Local 348S members deserve from their union. We will also assure that the union’s finances are in order and all assets secured.

“”The president and secretary-treasurer of Local 348S were charged last week with violations of federal criminal laws related to their work as local union leaders. The International Union obtained an order from a New York federal court enforcing the trusteeship. The trusteeship assures that the local union’s assets and resources are protected and that members are properly represented.  It ensures that the local leadership’s defense of the criminal charges do not interfere in any way with the local union’s ability to represent its members. All contracts affecting wages and benefits for Local 348S members remain in effect.

“”The UFCW International Union has a responsibility to serve the more than 13,000 members of this local union to the best of our ability and we will do so. I have appointed UFCW International Vice President Richard Whalen, Trustee of Local 348S.””