838 replies to this topic

[TA]

Time to lock this thread please.

[Shaman]

TA, on Oct 22 2008, 09:31 PM, said:

Time to lock this thread please.

Hello TA:

It's been awhile since I have heard from you. You seem to be displeased with this thread. Please tell me what it is that I have done. You may have noticed that several people are checking in on this thread. You are the only person that has recently voiced any concern.

I want to apologize for not posting more often. I've been distracted by some other projects and hobbies that I am working on. Hopefully I can get something together for Teamster.net by this evening.

Please let me know if I am posting anything that you feel compelled to read against your will.

Thanks for keeping in touch.

Namaste,

Charlie

ps. I apologize to the degree I have caused psychological harm or emotional trauma to the readers of this forum or any other forum. Please stop reading my posts if you find that they are resulting in psychological discomfort or damage, whether temporary or permanent.

(35339)

[TA]

chuckles were you with mother amma when she scabbily crossed the picket line?

[TA]

This is chuckles main guru; he has bleated here about volunteering at her "ass(h)ram":

An Indian spiritual leader who has been recognized for embracing millions of people around the world has become the subject of criticism by some religious and labor leaders in Los Angeles for her decision to hold events at a Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)-area hotel that is at the focus of a labor dispute.

Amma, known as the "hugging saint of India," arrived in Los Angeles Sunday, June 17th, as part of a ten-city U.S. tour and began her five-day stay at the Hilton Los Angeles Airport hotel on Century Boulevard in Westchester.

The hotel has, since late August, been the subject of a boycott called for by some hotel workers and members of the Unite Here Local 11 union. Dozens of elected officials and religious and labor leaders have endorsed the boycott, according to Unite Here. Hamid Kahn, executive director of the South Asian Network, spoke at the rally, saying Amma has spread love around the world but "unfortunately her stay at the LAX Hilton is in stark contrast to her teachings."

In a letter addressed to Amma, Rabbi Michael Lerner, editor of Tikkun Magazine, who was to receive an award from Amma's supporters, said he would decline the award because of her decision to hold events at the Hilton LAX. "Amma, there is no possibility of creating a more loving and caring world that I know you are so committed to so long as spiritual leaders like yourself fail to link spiritual ideals to concrete social justice for poor and working people," Lerner wrote in the letter.

Read the full article below and learn all about chuckle's scabby hag:

http://www.argonautnewspaper.com/articles/...ures/lax/l1.txt

chuckles what do you have to say about this?

[TA]

This post (on page 15 of this thread) has been edited to show mother amma portion:

Shaman, on Sep 22 2004, 10:39 PM, said:

The following is taken from page two of the resume that I turned into the San Leandro School District. They hired me.

I was recently choosen to be the coordinator for the Mata Amritanandamayi Devi Circle of Love Nursing Home Program. With input from friends, I have written up a Mission Statement that was warmly accepted. This program will eventually spread throughout California and the rest of the Country before becoming International.

I have become increasingly involved in community service during the last decade. I have been doing grounds work, including installing extensive drip irrigation and filters at the M. A. Center in San Ramon. My current services at the M. A. Center include answering the phones when I can, being available to help with drip irrigation and taking a resident disabled Swami on errands, to events and to visit friends. The M. A. Center is Mata Amritanandamayi’s (Amma’s) main North American Ashram. Jane Goodall recently presented Amma with the Gandhi-King Award for Non-Violence. This event occurred at The Global Peace Initiative of Women Spiritual and Religious Leaders in Geneva, Switzerland on October 7, 2002. http://www.ammachi.org/

I have been visiting nursing homes for over five years. I go every week, sometimes twice. I began going with friends from the M. A. Center about five years ago. They join me now for special occasions. Two special occasions are coming up on December 25 and 30th of 2002. On Christmas Day perhaps 20 or 30 friends from the M. A. Center will be visiting with gifts and singing carols. On the 30th teenagers from the teen retreat will be visiting with a gift of fresh cut roses in hand made vases. Many patients go for months without seeing a visitor other than staff and some never do. I’ve been visiting Cordelia for about five years. She just turned 107. Friends from the M. A. Center and myself are her only visitors. A niece and other relatives keep in touch. I usually tell Cordelia the date and the weather and ask her a few questions. She has told me a few stories of her youth and her loves. I tell her that I love her and she always says that she loves me, and then I kiss her on the cheek. Lately I’ve been putting lotion on her face and on her hands.

I’ve been visiting Maple for about three years. Maple is about 86 years old. I read Maple mystical and/or spiritual stories that others and I have written as well as biographies of Amma and other “Women of Power and Grace�. A year ago I took Maple to the M. A. Center to meet The Holy Mother. Her picture was on the front page of the Castro Valley Forum, a copy of which is now on her wall.

Page 2
Resume of Charles R. Engel
Revised 12-21-2002
Email: theshaman@earthlink.net

[Shaman]

TA, on Oct 26 2008, 08:42 PM, said:

This is chuckles main guru; he has bleated here about volunteering at her "ass(h)ram":

An Indian spiritual leader who has been recognized for embracing millions of people around the world has become the subject of criticism by some religious and labor leaders in Los Angeles for her decision to hold events at a Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)-area hotel that is at the focus of a labor dispute.

Amma, known as the "hugging saint of India," arrived in Los Angeles Sunday, June 17th, as part of a ten-city U.S. tour and began her five-day stay at the Hilton Los Angeles Airport hotel on Century Boulevard in Westchester.

The hotel has, since late August, been the subject of a boycott called for by some hotel workers and members of the Unite Here Local 11 union. Dozens of elected officials and religious and labor leaders have endorsed the boycott, according to Unite Here. Hamid Kahn, executive director of the South Asian Network, spoke at the rally, saying Amma has spread love around the world but "unfortunately her stay at the LAX Hilton is in stark contrast to her teachings."

In a letter addressed to Amma, Rabbi Michael Lerner, editor of Tikkun Magazine, who was to receive an award from Amma's supporters, said he would decline the award because of her decision to hold events at the Hilton LAX. "Amma, there is no possibility of creating a more loving and caring world that I know you are so committed to so long as spiritual leaders like yourself fail to link spiritual ideals to concrete social justice for poor and working people," Lerner wrote in the letter.

Read the full article below and learn all about chuckle's scabby hag:

http://www.argonautnewspaper.com/articles/...ures/lax/l1.txt

chuckles what do you have to say about this?

We find what we are looking for. Every healthy group and organization has room for improvement as well as dissent. I am not always in agreement with the decisions that are made on behalf of Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, otherwise known as Amma. I usually let others know. I am also becoming more selective about the battles that I engage in. Regardless of what I may say or how others may react, I have maintained a good relationship with my friends at the M. A. Center. Amma has to operate in a political environment. There will always be differences of opinion and room for improvement. Please keep in mind that opinion and improvement are subjective judgments.

Positive and negative responses are conditioned and subjective. This is a simple truth about the nature of reality. Cause and effect are objective observations while right and wrong are subjective. Pleasure feels positive while pain feels negative. Pleasure and pain are not positive or negative in an objective reality. They are facts of life that accompany our lessons. Again, you will find what you are looking for. We can find something negative or positive about anyone and anything. We have the option of focusing on either or neither while acknowledging both.

I'm outside the box. I don't recognize my Guru being limited to a particular manifestation. I have been extremely fortunate in meeting a number of exceptional teachers. The fact that they are exceptional to me doesn't mean that they would be exceptional to you.

The timing of your post is quite interesting. I was recently criticized by one of Amma's North American Directors for posting something political on the Green Friends Forum. http://www.amma.org/...iends/index.htm

Following is my post on Green Friends as well as the reply from one of Amma's Brahamachari's (nuns) and my response.

---------------------------------------

Hello Green Friends:

I sent the following email to a very special friend that has a long history
of helping his Brothers and Sisters. Doug is a guy that has a habit of
letting others know what he believes in and why. His friends are of a
similar mind.

Namaste,

Charlie

Ps. I made a few changes to my original response.

_____

From: Charles R. Engel [mailto:theshaman@earthlink .net]
Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2008 2:37 PM
To: REALADVOCATE@ aol.com; MULISH1@aol. com
Subject: What do we want?

Hi Doug:

Who knows what trouble we would get ourselves into with a Democratic
majority? It certainly won't be worse than the situation that currently
exists. We are looking at a necessary change in values. The change will
occur whether we want it to or not. The majority of our current policies
are clearly not sustainable. We will pay for our decisions whether we
accept responsibility or not. Whether we vote Republican or Democrat, the
Earth will respond to our collective actions.

Recently updated measurements of methane release clearly indicate that we
are approaching, or have passed, a "tipping point". Methane has a potential
to contribute to global warming on a scale many times larger than carbon
dioxide. Methane gas has been locked in the permafrost and ocean depths for
countless centuries by the low temperatures of the environment. Methane is
now being released at a never before seen rate. The more methane that is
released the more it contributes to global warming. As the atmosphere heats
up, the permafrost thaws, the oceans become warmer and more methane is
released. It is a chain reaction. The results of elections or appointments
will become painfully acute as we continue to watch the impact of runaway
global warming on the Earth's life forms. This is a reality that none of us
can escape.

Political debate reminds me of the Nero playing the violin while Rome
burned. It feels good, but what are you doing about the fire?

Would you like to know something about what friends and I are doing in
regards to the fire?

Namaste,

Charlie

Ps. Please feel free to forward this to others on your email list.

_____

---------------------------------------

Aum Amriteswaryai Namah

With all respect, Charlie, we have been notified by the legal team to keep politics out of our official communications. None of the ashram group emails should be sending political emails. Thank you. Namah Shivaya.

at Amma's Lotus Feet,
Remadevi

"Love is what fills life constantly with newness." —Amma
"With a child's innocence, enthusiasm and optimistic faith, we will be able to create heaven on earth." —Amma

---------------------------------------

Om Namah Shivaya:

I received a couple of emails earlier today in addition to the one that I received from Thomas. I would appreciate some clarification.

I recently learned of a Castro Valley High School student that is involved in backyard bee keeping. He is currently working on getting "changes made to a county ordinance that resulted in the denial of his application to keep his backyard beehive." A fascinating article was published in a local paper on September 17th. The information has a political element yet it is harmless and interesting. I had intended to post a copy of the article on the Green Friends Forum. Is this something that can be shared with the readers of Green_Friends@yahoogroups.com?

The practice of responding to conflict with dialogue is a political one. Mother is political. It's worth noting that the use of the term "Green Friends", in our culture, is political. A friend in local government commented today that a decision to "go green" is political by nature. Perhaps we could be the friends of Green Friends. Is there a way that Green Friends participants can network without directly involving Mothers Organization?

I apologize for sending a copy of the original email that I received from REALADVOCATE. It was not appropriate. My response was more about the environment than politics. It is impossible to completely separate the two.

Namaste,

Charlie

(35495)

[TA]

Shaman, on Oct 28 2008, 06:37 PM, said:

We find what we are looking for.

Yes chuckles it's clear you always find what you're looking for.

There is absolutely no way in hell I would have anything to do with a wacky scabby hippocrite. More power to you, I guess; and it says volumes about you!

[Shaman]

I was contemplating what to post next when I received an email from an old friend that worked with me at U. P. S.

Here it is:

UPS Airlines

Just in case you need a laugh:

Remember it takes a college degree to fly a plane, but only a high school diploma to fix one...a reassurance to those of us who fly routinely in our jobs. After every flight, UPS pilots fill out a form, called a 'gripe sheet,' which tells mechanics about problems with the aircraft. The mechanics correct the problems, document their repairs on the form, and then pilots review the gripe sheets before the next flight.

Never let it be said that ground crews lack a sense of humor. Here are some actual maintenance complaints submitted by UPS ' pilots ( marked with a P) and the solutions recorded ( marked with an S) by maintenance engineers.

By the way, UPS is the only major airline that has never, ever, had an accident.

P: Left inside main tire almost needs replacement.
S: Almost replaced left inside main tire.
*
P: Test flight OK, except auto-land very rough.
S: Auto-land not installed on this aircraft.
*
P: Something loose in cockpit
S: Something tightened in cockpit
*
P: Dead bugs on windshield.
S: Live bugs on back-order.
*
P: Auto pilot in altitude-hold mode produces a 200 feet per minute descent
S: Cannot reproduce problem on ground.
*
P: Evidence of leak on right main landing gear.
S: Evidence removed.
*
P: DME volume unbelievably loud.
S: DME volume set to more believable level.
*
P: Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick.
S: That's what friction locks are for.
*
P: IFF inoperative in OFF mode.
S: IFF always inoperative in OFF mode.
*
P: Suspected crack in windshield.
S: Suspect you're right.
*
P: Number 3 engine missing.
S: Engine found on right wing after brief search
*
P: Aircraft handles funny. (I love this one!)
S: Aircraft warned to straighten up, fly right and be serious.
*
P: Target radar hums.
S: Reprogrammed target radar with lyrics.
*
P: Mouse in cockpit.
S: Cat installed.
*
And the best one for last
*
P: Noise coming from under instrument panel. Sounds like a midget pounding on something with a hammer.
S: Took hammer away from midget.

(35929)

[jimbo]

TA, on Oct 28 2008, 12:20 PM, said:

Yes chuckles it's clear you always find what you're looking for.

There is absolutely no way in hell I would have anything to do with a wacky scabby hippocrite. More power to you, I guess; and it says volumes about you!

What speaks volumes about you TA is your seemly endless examples you offer up as being an anti union piece of shit. You never have taken a union position on anything it's always, a management position. There is no greater scab or hippocrite on this web site than you. You've always got your tounge stuck up management's ass while trying to pass yourself off as a teamster.

[Shaman]

Lets get back on track. After all, I started this string and I want to discuss the use of documentation and lawsuits to protect workers. The climate has changed dramatically since the economy has taken a nose dive. It is still a good idea to discuss and demonstrate strategies that can be used to protect ones self in the work place. This documentation tells an entertaining and enlightening story whether you use the strategies or not.

I'll take a stab at a secular followup to a somewhat ecclesiastical post. It seems to me that political matters go hand in hand with the administration of a church, especially as an estsablished institution.

I think that the following would be considered as secular in so far as it is not overtly or specifically religious. It isn't my intention to promote any religion. It is my understanding that administration and politics are not an issue in Shamanic circles.

We will get back to my adventures at United Parcel Service shortly.

Two Crows Dancing

I live with a Shaman. One of his spiritual names is Manoharan. Manoharan means enchanter and/or thief of the mind and that is what he surely is. We first met in the organic gardens at the M. A. Canter. Manoharan is an advisor as well as the person that painted my Sacred Drum, a drum that I was instructed to make per the instructions of a medicine man.

It was just before midnight, Sunday, when I felt compelled to explore Native American spiritual energy in the form of ritual. I had assembled several tools to work with in the front room of our home near the M. A. Center. My tools included sage, an altar, a sacred pipe and a magical drum. The pipe and the drum have their own stories. I smudged the house, lit the candles on the altar and took out the sacred pipe. This was the third time I had smoked the pipe. The first two ceremonies were followed by profound events as well as change. The third ceremony has led me to the recognition of an opportunity to further explore my sacred dance with eternity.

I arrived at the Shell Ridge Open Space http://www.ccdemo.info/HikeAndBike/ShellRi...ShellRidge.html just before noon on Monday. It was an exquisitely beautiful morning. The temperature was cool with a slight breeze. The sky was clear and blue with a spattering of gloriously shaped clouds in billowing shades of blue white and grey.

The beginning of the hike was uneventful other than the perfection of the day. I have partaken of the beauty and never ending experiences of the Shell Ridge Open Space for over 40 years. Until recently, I had lived with my family at the edge of the open space. I often tell friends that I have been on over 10,000 hikes in this mystical place. They were walks that I have shared with countless friends.

Spencer and I walked south along the creek past the Frog Pond, Secret Slide and the Spirit Tree. Our path soon merged with the Mount Diablo Trail just below Ginder Gap and Willow Pond. We hiked up the hill and North along the Mount Diablo Trail, parallel to Shell Ridge. We were several hundred feet north of the Ginder Gap ascent to the Shell Ridge Trail when I spotted something I immediately recognized as unusual. I observed two crows playing with a red tailed hawk. The crow is one of my Sacred Drum Totems. I immediately called Manoharan on my cell phone. I noticed that the crows had disappeared when I looked up from my cell phone. Then I spotted them again. They landed in the branches of the cherry tree at the South end of the ridge. This was the tree where I had scattered my beloved wife’s ashes, as was her wish. I tried to describe what I was observing to Manoharan but the connection was “broken up�. I would have to wait until I returned home. Spencer and I walked back towards the truck. We were walking along the chain link fence separating the open space from Indian Valley School when I noticed two crows as they landed on top of the fence.

Shakta (devoted to the Goddess) and Manoharan were at home when I arrived. I described what had happened while Manoharan smiled and laughed with glee. He informed me that the crows on the fence were the same ones that had been with the red tailed hawk. He asked me if I knew his Shamanic name. I told him that I didn’t. He informed me that his "other" spirit name is Two Crows Dancing. He also said that it is time for the next step, although he didn’t yet know what that would be.

The address of the M. A. Center is 10200 Crow Canyon Road. The Crow Creek headwaters are at the Northern end of the property. The original Crow family cabin is located across the road from the white barn. The M. A. Center is a gathering place of gifted seekers and finders. It is a place where you may find a Goddess and a Shaman as well as many other surprises.

Namaste,


Charlie Engel
theshaman@earthlink.net

I've been given permission to share these stories.

The M. A. Center is one of the two primary North American ashrams (centers) that are administered by followers of Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, The Hugging Saint. http://ammachi.org/

(37310)

[Shaman]

April 16, 1990 was the day that I received my first discharge letter. U. P. S. wasn't very pleased with my attitude and actions. It was time to modify my behavior.

I was fueling incoming diesel tractors during swing shift. It was my job to wait at the diesel fuel island for tractors in need of fueling. The fuel island was in the middle of the yard on the South side of the Oakland Hub. Coworkers and I would often use a package car to sit in while we waited for the diesel tractors to arrive. The package car also served as some protection from the weather.

I had recently been instructed to not read anything while waiting for tractors to arrive. I knew that it was just another form of harassment. On this fateful night, I decided to look something up in the contract. I was observed reading the contract while sitting in a package car and the following termination letter was sent.

-----------------------------------------------------------

United Parcel Service
8400 Pardee Drive
Oakland, Ca. 94621

April 16, 1990

Mr. Charles Engel
Walnut Creek, Ca. 94596

Dear Charles:

This is a discharge letter for failure to follow instructions, insubordination and misappropriation of company property issued to Charles Engel, who is presently employed as a car washer in our Oakland Hub.

On December 12, 1989 and January 24, 1990 you were instructed not to sit in package cars or tractors and read during your work shift. You were observed on April 10, 1990 and April 11, 1990 sitting in package cars when not fueling.

On April 11, 1990 you were insubordinate and failed to follow instructions. Although instructed to return the keys to car 14505, you said you threw them over the security fence. You also misappropriated United Parcel Service property and duplicated keys without knowledge or permission from United Parcel Service.

Because of your continued pattern of failing to follow instructions, I have no alternative but to discharge you, per Article 7, Section 4 of the Northern California Package Rider.

Very truly yours,


Craig Oosterhouse
Feeder Division Manager

CO/kk

Cc: Mr. Bob McAlister, Teamsters Local 78
Personnel

CERTIFIED MAIL: RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I paid for a copy of the key to the "yard car". A feeder supervisor had given me permission to have a copy of the key made. I paid for it because it cost so little and I didn't want to hassle with getting reimbursed for a dollar.

I threw the key away when I was asked to turn it in. I told the supervisor that I had paid for the key. U. P. S. could have reimbursed me and that would have been that. They wouldn't reimburse me for the key because they wouldn't acknowledge that they had given me permission. I eventually proved that I had been given permission to duplicate and pay for the key.

It's a shame that U. P. S. supervision couldn't communicate with me in a mutually respectful and rational manner. The warning letter and subsequent consequences eventually led to one lawsuit that cost United Parcel Service $87,000,000 (eighty seven million dollars). 20,000 drivers in California benefited from the settlement. It is my understanding that operational changes are or were costing U. P. S. an additional one million dollars a day in California alone. Other states, with laws similar to those in California, have seen operational changes as well. There have been other cases.

Hopefully these letters will aid you in dealing with similar problems and situations in the work place.


Namaste,

Charlie Engel
theshaman@earthlink.net

ps. I would have been willing to forget the whole thing if they had just reimbursed me for the dollar and let me do my job.

(38194)

[Shaman]

Please excuse the extended "vacation". Yes, I'm a retired Teamster but that doesn't mean that I am "retired". I like to keep moving, hiking, thinking, contributing and learning to love. You know what they say; "use it or loose it".

I realized something rather startling today. A lot of people are reading these posts. I always suspected that the strings were getting more hits than indicated. I am very slow learner (at times). I made a significant miscalculation. Call it a communication "glitch". I figured a few hundred people were reading these forums. An old friend, from U. P. S., pointed out today that the views most likely indicate "unique signatures". A unique signature would only be recorded once, regardless of how many times that individual read the post.

The bottom line is that I was confused about how many people were reading this material. I figured that I may have looked at the UPS OAKLAND NEW LAWSUIT FILED string a thousand times. It is likely that others were doing the same. So I thought that maybe one or two hundred people were reading this stuff. My mistake! It looks like it is over 40,000 (forty thousand). OOPS.......

Now why does that surprise me? I freely acknowledge that I have a tendency to miss some significant details.

That said, I would like to do something to make up for things. I'm going to take a day or two to adjust to the realization that I have over 40,000 avid fans but I'm not getting wealthy.

I recently purchased a Scan Snap S1500M PDF Scanner. It's an amazing machine to use for "digitizing" your life. Friends and I will be scanning documents into PDF format in the weeks ahead. I personally have three or four thousand pages which have been reviewed by the Alameda County District Attorney's Office. I'm still adding details and documents to the document list.

My next post will be a transcript of the followup letter I received from United Parcel Service notifying me that I would not be terminated. I agreed to stop writing letters in order to keep my job. I sought medication for the period of time from the termination letter to the grievance panel hearing. To this day I don't fully understand why I held on as long as I did. It was at least partially the lure of a comfortable retirement and time to spend with friends.

These and similar efforts are offered as a form of community service. In the East, Community Service with the right attitude is called Karma Yoga. It's actually a science. I'm a struggling student engaged in a not so austere practice of Karma Yoga.


I would be called a story teller in the Native American Tradition. My Coyote Stick is accompanied by a Contrary Stick. Hopefully that clarifies things. Thank you for showing an interest in this story.

Namaste,

Charlie Engel
theshaman@earthlink.net

[MULISH1]

TA, on Oct 23 2008, 12:31 AM, said:

Time to lock this thread please.

Brothers and Sisters,

First let me state that Charlie can use any E-Mail or correspondence to him from me to post on this board, or anywhere else. Charlie, you owe me NO APOLOGY for posting anything I said, wrote, or otherwise related to you, as I say what I mean and mean what I say, for all to hear or read.

Since Charlie mentioned my name, I thought I would respond in kind. I follow the UPS Forum with the hope of garnering some information that could/would benefit my Brothers and Sisters here in the Chicagoland area. For the sake of brevity, I will attempt to comment about this string without going into the detail it deserves.

I have known Charlie and his friends in CA., for many, many years and can say without a doubt their activities pertaining to BROWN, the Teamsters, and yes, even his references to: “Amma, known as the; hugging saint of India," and others of a spiritual nature is entirely appropriate. The folks referenced and their teachings are inextricably intertwined with what employees/retirees deal with on a daily basis, and deep down, shows folks how to deal with the despair and problems BROWN sets forth in their path. I would think that most all of Charlie’s posts could and would give them insight, and ideas of how to deal with adversity as a BROWN employee/retiree as well as in our roles as citizens of this great country.

It is my humble opinion that the information Charlie has provided in this string has no doubt helped a great many Teamster Brothers and Sisters cope with Browns tactics, as well as given them guidance in how to combat their travails, along with methods of defending their positions in order to survive.

So… for those who seem to be FORCED to read Charlie’s posts in this string or others clearly have an interest, conscious, or unconscious. Or perhaps they have problems with Truth and Consequences?

In addition, to their credit, Phil and his moderators are to be commended as they see the benefit[s] I have alluded to above.

In any case, keep up the good work Charlie. I can attest to the fact that talking to you, reading your posts, and reading most all of the documentation you sent me has helped me and many of my Local 705 and 710 workers and retirees get through the maze and double talk put forth by UPS/BROWN.

In Solidarity,


Douglas Page Chapman Sr
6619 Dralle Road
Monee, IL 60449-9431
708-534-0490-Home
Advocate PUPS Inc & NABER Inc REALADVOCATE@aol.com
http://pupsinc.homes...com/naber1.html
36-1/2 years member in good standing IBT Locals 705 & 710. Over 55 years experience UPS/BROWN, 30 years an employee, 18+ years when Dad was an employee, and retired Teamster 14 + years.

[Teamsterman]

MULISH1, on Nov 8 2009, 04:55 PM, said:

Brothers and Sisters,

First let me state that Charlie can use any E-Mail or correspondence to him from me to post on this board, or anywhere else. Charlie, you owe me NO APOLOGY for posting anything I said, wrote, or otherwise related to you, as I say what I mean and mean what I say, for all to hear or read.

Since Charlie mentioned my name, I thought I would respond in kind. I follow the UPS Forum with the hope of garnering some information that could/would benefit my Brothers and Sisters here in the Chicagoland area. For the sake of brevity, I will attempt to comment about this string without going into the detail it deserves.

I have known Charlie and his friends in CA., for many, many years and can say without a doubt their activities pertaining to BROWN, the Teamsters, and yes, even his references to: “Amma, known as the; hugging saint of India," and others of a spiritual nature is entirely appropriate. The folks referenced and their teachings are inextricably intertwined with what employees/retirees deal with on a daily basis, and deep down, shows folks how to deal with the despair and problems BROWN sets forth in their path. I would think that most all of Charlie’s posts could and would give them insight, and ideas of how to deal with adversity as a BROWN employee/retiree as well as in our roles as citizens of this great country.

It is my humble opinion that the information Charlie has provided in this string has no doubt helped a great many Teamster Brothers and Sisters cope with Browns tactics, as well as given them guidance in how to combat their travails, along with methods of defending their positions in order to survive.

So… for those who seem to be FORCED to read Charlie’s posts in this string or others clearly have an interest, conscious, or unconscious. Or perhaps they have problems with Truth and Consequences?

In addition, to their credit, Phil and his moderators are to be commended as they see the benefit[s] I have alluded to above.

In any case, keep up the good work Charlie. I can attest to the fact that talking to you, reading your posts, and reading most all of the documentation you sent me has helped me and many of my Local 705 and 710 workers and retirees get through the maze and double talk put forth by UPS/BROWN.

In Solidarity,


Douglas Page Chapman Sr
6619 Dralle Road
Monee, IL 60449-9431
708-534-0490-Home
Advocate PUPS Inc & NABER Inc REALADVOCATE@aol.com
http://pupsinc.homes...com/naber1.html
36-1/2 years member in good standing IBT Locals 705 & 710. Over 55 years experience UPS/BROWN, 30 years an employee, 18+ years when Dad was an employee, and retired Teamster 14 + years.

Doug, agree with you 100%. Some people just don't get it.

[Shaman]

Dear Doug:

Thank you for the kind words and the recognition. I have a considerable amount of documentation to share. I am pleased and inspired to learn that you and your friends have found it to be of value. The documents tell a story that contains a timeless message. The dates and the actors change while the story remains the same. Double talk and not so hidden agendas have ruled the day. Times have changed now that we have a new President, new priorities and the tools to communicate.

It's almost time to fire up my new ScanSnap S1500M PDF Scanner. I purchased it at a discount from Costco specifically for the purpose of sharing documents and ideas. I have been contemplating the best format(s) for presenting material. For now, I will be including a link to several pages of my documents, that will be uploaded as PDF files, by date and in various groups to Google Documents. This is information that can be linked to various Web Pages. I appreciate the feedback and, again, I apologize for being somewhat taken aback by the scope of this endeavor. I have access several thousand pages of documents from scores of sources. I suspect that this "project" will keep me very busy during my elusive retirement.

I've been preoccupied with Amma's upcoming visit and community service responsibilities that I have to tend to. I will have much on my plate during Amma's visit. I will be answering phone, working on ecosystem restoration and answering to Amma. A few Teamster brothers and sisters have come to visit. I love to watch the reactions. Check out Amma's schedule at http://www.amma.org/.../n_america.html

I am addicted to walks in the woods and exploring beaches. I am taking my new laptop with me. I enjoy stopping at a new coffee shop or library and sitting down behind the most powerful tool that has ever existed in the history of the labor movement. The computer is an amazing device that can be used for enlightening our brothers and sisters.

Thanks again for giving me the opportunity to participate on Teamster.net. I recognize the trials and tribulations that Phil and the moderators have had to endure in the name of "freedom of speech". I'm quite sure that the Teamster.net adventure has been an intensely interesting one. It's inspiring that brothers and sisters, half way across the country, have found this material to be of benefit. The Teamsters here on the West Coast are just waking up from the "Dark Ages". They will find it hard to resist the story that I have to tell.

Namaste,

Charlie

ps. Please feel free to share all my emails and most of my material with anyone you desire.

[Shaman]

Due to the recent events in Haiti I find it necessary to post the following. Yes, it is off topic although being on topic may be a gray area at this point.

I will get back to posting documents. For now, the situation in Haiti calls for a wide plea for donations. It appears that quite a few people are reading this string. I am taking advantage of that exposure on behalf of our brothers and sisters in Haiti.

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Dear Family and Friends:

I have relatives that live near Port-au-Prince, Haiti. We haven't communicated for decades. I remember them as wonderful, sincere and warm people with a deep commitment to the country of their birth.

The donations link below leads to a form where you can designate where you want your money to go. Haiti is at the top of the list. You can pay by credit card. It is good to know that Embracing the World, based at the M. A. Center, may have a smaller administrative overhead that any other organization in the world. It is my understanding that approximately 95% of the funds donated go to the people that they are intended for.

Please consider donating through Amma's Organization. Your money will be well spent. I attempted to charge a donation earlier this afternoon and it didn't go through. It's possible that the payment system is overloaded. Late night donations may work better.

Please forward this email to anyone that may be interested in assisting our brothers and sisters in need.

Namaste,

Charlie Engel

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From: seva@ammachi.org

Ôm Amriteswaryai Namaha,

In response to the deepening crisis in earthquake-ravaged Haiti, Amma announced a plan to provide relief there. In the United States, Embracing the World volunteers based at M.A. Center are already rushing to assemble boxes of clothing and medical goods—surgical supplies, first aid kits, and ambulatory aids like canes and walkers—for immediate shipment to Haiti.

Simultaneously, Amma has directed Br. Dayamrita Chaitanya to travel to Haiti with a small team of medical advisors to assess conditions on the ground. Br. Dayamrita’s team will explore avenues for Embracing the World to make a meaningful long-term contribution to the recovery effort.

If you would like to give a monetary donation please Click here to donate

In Amritapuri, Amma led several thousand people in a prayer for the peace of the departed souls, for those who have suffered injuries and devastating material losses, and for the mental strength and peace of mind of those who have lost their loved ones.

Amma’s charities worldwide are now known collectively as Embracing the World. In the United States, Embracing the World projects are managed by M.A. Center, a 501©3 nonprofit organization based in San Ramon, California. Embracing the World’s contributions to the Haiti Relief effort will also be managed by M.A. Center.
This article is available at: Click here to learn about Amma's humanitarian efforts in Haiti

[Shaman]

Yes, I do have quite the story to tell. The next letter was issued July 23, 1990. It was a long time ago but the story remains the same. I was threatened with termination for a violation that didn't occur. I took anxiety medication during this period of time. It was awful stuff that left me very depressed. This was before medical marijuana.

I can still remember many of the details. A special meeting was arranged with the Feeder Manager and my Business Agent. I was asked to agree to stop writing letters in exchange for keeping my job. I agreed. I stopped writing letters until January of 1996. That letter will be next.

I am working on getting the pdf library up on Google Docs. Please be patient.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

United Parcel Service, 8400 Pardee Dr., Oaklandl, CA 94621
(415) 568-0200


July 23, 1990

Mr. Chuck Engels
Walnut Creek, CA 94596

Dear Chuck:

This is a letter of understanding issued to Chuck Engels who is presently a car washer in our Oakland Feeder Department.

At a meeting held on July 10, 1990, with Business Agent Bob McAlister, Labor Manager John Slattery, yourself and myself, it was agreed that your discharge would be reduced to a fifteen (15) day suspension beginning July 16, 1990.

Very truly yours,



Craig Oosterhouse
Oakland Feeder Division Manager

CO/kk

Cc: Mr. Bob McAlister, Teamsters Local 78
Personnel

CERFIFIED MAIL: RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

This letter is addressed on page 71 of My Deposition in the Randy Olson Federal Lawsuit.

[Shaman]

Dan Varela was one of the best Business Agents anyone could wish for. He was a personable guy that had a way of getting along with everyone. Following is a letter is self explanatory. It is worth noting that the Company does have a responsibility to keep our brothers and sisters informed of pension contributions. This is an example of what can be done in the event that they are deliquent in their duties.

TEAMSTERS UNION LOCAL NO. 78
Alameda, Napa and Solano Counties
Affiliated with the
INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS
492 “C” STREET * HAYWARD, CALIFORNIA 94541
Telephone: (510) 889-6811 * FAX (510) 889-0865
PETE WALLING
President

STEVE MACK
Secretary*Treasurer

United Parcel Service
P. O. Box 3850
Hayward, Callifornia 94540

Attn: Paul Wortenbergh

August 1, 1995

Dear Paul:

It has come to my attention that the Pension has not bveen posted for the past several months. As you are aware this is the Company’s obligation in accordance with Article 27, section (2) of the United Parcel Service contract.

If the pension is not posted, please be advised that Local No. 78 will be forced to implement Article 16, as we can not be sure the pension is being paid properly or on time.

Sincerely,


Dan Varela
Business Agent

DVd:ah

c.c. Chuck Engels

[Shaman]

The following letter is another example of excellent representation. It is always a good idea to finalize grievance pannel decisions.





xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

UNION LOCAL NO. 78
Alameda, Napa and Solano Counties
Affiliated with the
INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS
492 “C” STREET * HAYWARD, CALIFORNIA 94541
Telephone: (510) 889-6811 * FAX (510) 889-0865
PETE WALLING
President

STEVE MACK
Secretary*Treasurer

United Parcel Service
P. O. Box 3850
Hayward, Callifornia 94540

Attn: Ms. Kim Muniz

August 10, 1995

Dear Kim:

Grievances #UPR 7-95-804 and UPR 7-95-805 have been resolved on the following basis:

1. The senior person on lay-off will be asked if he/she wants to work at the Airport during Mark Pavolks’s absences of five (5) or more days.

2. If this individual passes, (this person will not be asked again) the next senior person will be asked, until the list of laid-off people is exhausted.

3. He/she will be trained and processed for the job. Parking will be afforded free at the airport.

4. He/she must work at the Airport even if work is available at the Hub.

Anyone on permanent lay-off may sign a letter of intent to work as a package delivery driver at which time they will have an opportunity to train and be evaluated for hire. If they are hired they will be placed at the bottom of the package delivery seniority roster, and would maintain Company seniority for the purpose of vacations and other benefits.

If this does not meet with your understanding of the settlement, please let me know.

Sincerely,


Dan Varela
Business Agent

DV:ah

[Shaman]

January 26, 1996


Re: PROGRAM TO REMOVE WATER SPOTS FROM WINDSHIELDS


Attached is the letter I sent to Mike Souza on 1-26-96. The program to remove water spots from all the package car windows was successful after Mike finally listened to my recommendations. It was necessary for me to write the attached letter before he would work with me. The Automotive Division Manager, Paul Wartenbergh, approached me after the program was completed and complimented me on the job I did. He asked me if I would be willing to appear in a video that the manufacturer of the chemical was planning to shoot. Mr. Wartenbergh said he wanted me to demonstrate how I removed the water spots from the windows because he said I was the “water spot expert”. I told him I would be glad to help but I never heard from him again. This program had the potential to save United Parcel Service tens of thousands of dollars, alleviated concerns expressed by the safety committee and could have saved the Company considerably more if implemented on a wide basis.



Charles R. Engel


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January 26, 1996


Mr. Mike Souza
Automotive Manager
United Parcel Service
8400 Pardee Drive
Oakland, California 94621

Dear Mike:

This letter is in reference to the conversation we had last night. I feel that it is necessary for me to document our conversation as you have left me with more questions than answers. You have told me, on more than one occasion, that it may be necessary to suspend the program to clean water spots. To put it simply, I don’t understand what you want from me.

You took me to the side last night and attempted to explain why you were not satisfied with my job performance. I have doubled the number of windshields cleaned of water spots (to six) since the introduction of the new chemical. You told me that you were still not satisfied because I am not removing 100% of the water spots. I am currently able to remove approximately 80% to 90% of the mineral deposits from the glass. I am applying the chemical in the manner in which I was instructed. In fact, it is taking me considerable more time to apply the glass cleaner given your new instructions. Last night, I applied the chemical twice, removed it from the glass and then applied it again in the areas where there were still mineral deposits. I was still not able to remove all the stains from the windows. This method of application takes considerably more time than the method demonstrated by the chemical salesmen. You have instructed me to let the chemical do the work of removing the stains. My request for an inexpensive ($5.00) buffer pad to use with the cordless shop drill was denied because you felt, in part, that the water spots could be removed with an ordinary sponge. Again, you told me that very little “elbow grease” was required to remove the stains as the work was done by the chemical. After doing eighteen (18) package cars, I have not found this to be the case.

You also mentioned, last night, that you were not pleased with the condition of the bulkheads in the package cars that I had been working on. I explained that we had run out of the chemical used to clean them so I spent a few hours sweeping the cargo compartments in all the exceptionally dirty cars in the building. You instructed me to stop doing this work as it is the responsibility of the individual car washers to sweep their own cars. It is my understanding that the sweeping of the cargo compartments, among other duties, was not part of the time study conducted when the new maintenance program went into effect. I have stopped sweeping the cargo compartments per your instructions.

I was cleaning the water spots on three package cars a night prior to the introduction of the new chemical. Additionally, I was sweeping the cargo compartments and cleaning windows and dashboards throughout the building. I had been doing this work for approximately six weeks and I was not aware of any complaints.

In closing, I would like to invite you or a salesman to demonstrate how to remove 100% of the water spots. I noticed, last night, that the two package cars the chemical was demonstrated on did not have all the minerals removed. These were cars #113803 and #113955. Are you aware that the drivers appear to be quite pleased with the windshields being 80% to 90% clean of water spots?

Sincerely,


Charles R. Engel
Steward

cc: Mr. Dan Varella
Business Agent, Local 78