[Shaman]

February 21, 1996

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

Dear Mr. Souza:

Attached is a copy of the Physician’s Evaluation, Treatment & Status Report from The Advantage Medical Group Inc., 15035 East 14th Street, San Leandro, 94578. I was seen by the doctor at 12:45 p.m. on 02-20-96 as you requested.

The doctor specifically told me that I should alternate sitting, walking and standing every 45 minutes. The evaluation also states that I should avoid frequent reaching forward or flexing of my spine. Please note that my modified work release stipulates that I am not to lift anything over ten (10) pounds. My duties should require only limited bending, twisting, pushing, pulling, stooping and climbing. Please be advised that I intend to follow the instructions of the physician should I be asked to return to work under a modified program. I have an appointment to begin physical therapy at “The Advantage Clinic” today, February 21, 1996.

The doctor has not released me to return to full duties on a specific date. I have a follow up exam on February 27, 1996 at which time the doctor will make a decision.

I called Adolph Sanchez at about 2:30 p.m. which was immediately after my exam. I informed Mr. Sanchez of the details of the Physician’s Evaluation Report. I also told Mr. Sanchez that I would be available to work today if I was instructed to. Mr. Sanchez informed me that you were out of the office and he wasn’t sure if you would want me to come back to work given the above mentioned restrictions. I gave Mr. Sanchez two phone numbers where I could be reached. I have not yet received a phone call from you. I will call you today shortly after you receive this fax.

Thank you for your patience in this matter.


Charles R. Engel
Walnut Creek, Calif. 94696
Phone: 510-932-3403
Fax: 510-939-2014

[Shaman]

April 8, 1996

Mr. Dan Varella
Business Agent
Teamster Local #78
492-C Street
Hayward, Calif. 94541

Dear Dan:

This letter is in regards to the new car-wash job at the Oakland Airport. It is my understanding that Local 70 is in the process of working out the details of job bidding and seniority at this location. I believe that Local 78 Teamsters are in a situation that is very different that of Local 70. Local 70 has members that are already employed at the airport whom the company can offer new jobs to on a seniority basis. Local 78 is in a very different position. We have, as you know, only one member at the Oakland Airport. The opening of a new car-wash position would necessitate either the hiring of a new employee, the transfer of a Local 70 part-time Teamster to a full-time position or the Company could offer the new Airport position to a Local 78 Teamster that is currently laid off at the Oakland Hub Facility.

I do not believe that offering the new full-time car-wash position at the Oakland Airport would create a precedent that would have implications for all Local 70 employees. We are in a unique position. We, unlike Local 70, do not have members at the Airport that new jobs could be offered to. I can’t imagine a valid reason to allow U.P.S. to draw from Local 70 to fill car-wash positions. I don’t believe it is in our best interest to abide by any panel decisions unless they specifically address our situation.

Please let me know, as soon as possible, what your position is on this matter. I and a number of other car-washers would like to proceed with a grievance worded specifically to our concerns if and when it becomes clear that such an action would be prudent.

Thank you,

Charles R. Engel
932-3403

[Shaman]

Ben L., on January 20 2010 - 11:02 PM, said:

Mr. Engels,
You seem to have a way of dealing with people who for unknown and mystifying reasons are contrary to what is right, even though they themselves have bitterly complained about similar corruption in their own Local Unions/Joint Councils.
Could you help in clarifying or somehow getting the message across better than I, as I seem to be unable to convey the seriousness of the situation. You can find more info in "Teamster Talk" under jc 42 and Local 848 posts.
Sincere thanks.

Group:
Guests Posted Today, 10:41 PM

RealTeam, on January 20 2010 - 07:24 PM, said:

Time for you to get over it and move on. It's old news and nobody really gives a flying fuck anymore, except you. You ought to take a good long honest assessment of yourself and come to grips with all this bitterness you continue to harbor and just can't get over...

Hi Mark,
Thanks for your opinion brother.
But since you claim you only work a few days a year as a Teamster how do you know nobody cares? I know many many that deeply care, especially when the IBT auditor announces that 848 is "broke", and with the disturbing $500,000 secret hush money payoff to an abused sister and the okey-doke response by our weak, dominated, ball-less joimt council 42 eboard. I am ashamed that this group of sissies are now joined by 2 more carey tdu flippers, now these cocksuckers are the majority, having lived through that sad time in our history. The strike fund was manipulated, the charity fund wrote checks to eboard members for ?, our "selected" boss-man makes lou marini look like Albert Einstein, hidden video/audio cameras were stashed all over the building, santangelo reportedly secretly filmed sexcapades with subordinate employees (which is why he voluntarily ran and hid from the membership never to return), and nobody gave a shit about the members. Hoffa has a legal team investigating, and the DOL is also investigating, both 848 and the joint council 42 whorehouse. Many issues have apparently been uncovered, like Santangelo having one of his weaklings coerce a plan dentist into 5 figures of dental work for non-Teamster Santangelo jr, and the sons of certain 848 eboard members evading initiation fees. And there is lots more...
YOU'RE GODDAMN RIGHT IM NOT OVER MY BITTERNESS, AND I WON'T BE UNTIL HOFFA DOES THE RIGHT THING. I BELIEVE HE WILL MARK!

0 Back to top

Hello Ben:

I would like to help out but unfortunately these matters can easily take up a considerable amount of time. I am posting these documents in the hope that at least some of my readers will be inspired to take similar actions. These battles are often long and difficult. The most that I can do is attempt to give you some ideas on how to document some of the problems that arise in the workplace. I wish that I could do more. I have thousands of pages of documents that I am in the process of sharing. Additionally, I have comments to make on much of the material. I would be pleased to answer questions relevant to my documentation as well as general questions about strategy.

The problems we are facing in the workplace are, to a large extent, the result of worker apathy. Be careful about the battles you engage in. Be realistic about your resources, your allies and the tools you have inherited from those who came before you. There are countless battles. Choose yours wisely.

Charlie Engel
theshaman@earthlink.net

[Shaman]

The following letter was written back when Stewards were really Stewards. James P. Nolan was one of the best Shop Stewards that I ever met. He took his responsibilities very seriously and he was intelligent too. The following letter is a classic. How many of you would write a letter such as this to your District Manager?

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

June 23, 1996


Mr. Mike Kamienski
District Manager
United Parcel Service
Oakland, California

Dear Mike:

Jim Donahoe, a long term Feeder Driver, came to me because he was disturbed about a conversation he had with Mike Souza (see attached letter).

I would like to address Mike Souza’s reaction to conflict. Mike has a very argumentative approach to disagreements. He does not know how to resolve conflicts. When discussing a matter he turns red in the face, swears and yells. He doesn’t want to hear an opinion that disagrees with his.

In the past, I’ve dealt with Human Resources (Bjan) because of a similar conflicting situation. Bjan agrees that Mike wears his emotions on his sleeve. To resolve that conflict, Mike goes on vacation whenever the shop clerk goes on vacation so he doesn’t have to deal with the relief clerk.

Mike should be accountable and responsible for his individual actions. We may have opposing views during discussions, but we should be able to debate our opposing views as an individual or as a group to resolve our conflicts.

Good working ethics can be a powerful tool for better decision making to improve, communication that will resolve disagreements and so create conditions that foster greater union and organizational effectiveness. Let there be no misunderstanding, Mike’s verbal conflicts will not be tolerated.

Sincerely yours,


James P. Nolan
Shop Steward

[Shaman]

It's great to go over these old documents. I worked with some really amazing guys. There were a lot of duds too. Imagine the "hidden cost" of employing a supervisor such as the one described below.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 1996

AN INCIDENT HAPPENED ON FRIDAY, JUNE 14TH THAT STILL HAS ME SOMEWHAT UPSET EVEN SEVERAL DAYS LATER.

THE CIRCUMSTANCE THAT LED UP TO THIS INCIDENT INVOLVED THE CLEANING OF THE FEEDER C.P.U. TRAILERS. THIS WORK IS DONE BY RAY KINDLE, THE CARWASH PERSON, ON A DAILY BASIS. THIS PAST WEEK, HE HAS BEEN OFF OF WORK WITH AN INJURY OR ILLNESS. I HAVE FOUND MYSELF STOPPING BY THE OAKLAND SHOP EACH DAY TO TRY TO WORK OUT SOME KIND OF AN ARRANGEMENT WHEREAS WE COULD GET THESE UNITS CLEANED OUT FOR OUR LARGE SHIPPING CUSTOMERS. I SPOKE TO SUPERVISOR ADOLPH SANCHEZ ON MANY OCCASIONS DURING THAT WEK. I MADE SOM SUGGSTIONS IN REGARD TO TRYING TO GET CARWASH PEOPLE TO COME IN ON OVERTIME OR STAY AFTER THEIR REGULAR SHIFT IN AN EFFORT TO GET THIS WORK COMPLETED AS THESE TRAILERS ARE AVAILABLE FROM 9:30 PM TO 2 PM THE FOLLOWING DAY. AT NO TIME DID I RAISE MY VOICE OR USE PROFANITY. I CONDUCTED MYSELF IN A BUSINESS LIKE MANNER.

ON FRIDAY, I HAD MADE SOME PICKUPS IN UNION CITY EARLY IN THE AFTERNOON AND GOT DELAYED IN TRAFFIC. WHEN I ARRIVED BACK AT THE HUB TO PROCEED TO MY 4 PM PICKUP ASSIGNMENT I NOTICED THAT THE UNIT HAD NOT BEEN CLEANED. I ALSO CHECKED THE UNIT THAT I PULL OUT AT 6 PM FOR THE FOLLOWING ASSIGNMENT AND FOUND THAT IT WAS NOT CLEANED EITHER. I WAS VERY MUCH BEHIND SCHEDULE AND HAD TO DROP OFF ONE UNIT AND PICKUP THE OTHER IN AS SHORT A TIME AS POSSIBLE. I STOPPED OF AT THE SHOP AND ENCOUNTERED SUP. SANCHEZ AND MANAGER MIKE SOUZA STANDING IN AN OPEN SHOP BAY. ALSO PRESENT WAS THE TIRE REPAIR PERSON FROM PERDUE TIRE. MECHANIC BOB LAPOINTE WAS WORKING ON A TRACTOR IN AN ADJOINING BAY. I NOTIFIED ADOLPH SANCHEZ THAT MY UNITS WERE NOT CLEANED AND ASKED IF THERE WAS A WAY IN WHICH MY 6 PM TRAILER COULD BE CLEANED BEFORE I RETURNED FOR IT AS I WAS ON A TIGHT SCHEDULE. I INFORMED HIM THAT IT COULD BE FOUND ON PAD 426. I ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE TRAILER I WAS TAKING OUT AT THE MOMENT WAS NOT CLEANED BUT THAT I WAS SO SHORT OF TIME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE CUSTOMER IN THAT CONDITION. I THEN SAID THAT IF THEY WANTED TO KNOW WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE THAT I WOULD LEAVE THEM THEIR NAMES, INDICATING SANCHEZ AND SOUZA. AT THAT POINT, MIKE SOUZA WENT INTO A PROFANITY LACED TIRADE DIRECTED AT ME. HE SAID THAT HE WAS TIRED OF ME COMING IN THERE COMPLAINING EVERY DAY. HE PLACED THE BLAME ON THE CAR WASH PEOPLE WHOM HE REFERED TO AS “ELEVEN DEAD BEATS DOING THE WORK OF SEVEN”. THE FACT IS, I HAD NOT SPOKEN TO MIKE IN SEVERAL MONTHS AND MY PREVIOUS DEALINGS WERE WITH ADOLPH SANCHEZ. HE WAS RED IN THE FACE AND JUST SCREAMING AT ME. I EXPLAINED TO MIKE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CLEAN CONDITION OF THESE TRAILERS AS THESE ARE SOME OF OUR BIGGEST SHIPPERS. I EMPHASIZED HOW IMPORTANT THAT IT WAS TO BOTH OF OUR JOBS TO KEEP THESE SHIPPERS HAPPY.

I CAN’T RECALL EVER BEING DEALT WITH IN SUCH A MANNER BY ANY MANAGEMENT PERSON IN THE 30 PLUS YEARS OF EMPLOYMENT AT UPS AND FOUND IT VERY DISTURBING.

THIS IS A JOB THAT MUST BE DONE AND MIKE SOUZA IS THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR SEEING TO IT THAT IT IS COMPLETED. I HAD TAKEN IT UPON MYSELF TO DO THE CLEANING OF THESE TRAILERS ON THREE OCASIONS THAT WEEK.

JIM DONAHOE
SAN RAMON, CA. 94583

[Shaman]

It is time to continue with my story. Thank you for your patience. Believe me, the story I am about to tell is well worth the wait. My next letters will focus on the problem with being fired for violating Company Policies that don't exist. I will be sharing these letters in their entirety. Some personal information will be withheld out of respect for my privacy as well as the privacy of others. The correspondence that I am about to share is in excess of 4,000 pages. It has been reviewed by the Alameda County District Attorney's Office. Scores of these documents were sent to the Federal Bureau of Investigation at the suggestion of a Deputy District Attorney. I had been advised that concerns of a Federal RICO Act violation did not fall under the jurisdiction of the District Attorney's Office. I was questioned about the documents that I had submitted to the Concord, California office of the F. B. I. A deputy told me that the statute of limitations had run out for a R.I.C.O. complaint. I don't think this was true. My Workers' Compensation case had not been settled. I decided to call it a day. My family had gone insane. I needed to take some time to deal with it. That is another story.


You are cordially invited to join my friends and me on facebook. They are a rather odd group. You can take some comfort in my assurances that they appear to be decent people.

I posted the following on my facebook wall earlier this evening.

"I'm working at keeping my heart open. There are people that prey on open hearts. I have to make a choice. Let's see...... open heart versus fear, anger, greed and pride. I've made my choice. It's time to contemplate Dharma.

This is amazing stuff. I suspect that you will find it as interesting as I do.

Charlie Engel
theshaman@earthlink.net

[UPSSup]

wow . still here, still so bitter, still so full of yourself.

[Shaman]

UPSSup, on May 16 2010 - 12:36 PM, said:

wow . still here, still so bitter, still so full of yourself.

Hello UPSSup:

It's been a long time! Great to see you back. I am posting a story that I wrote in 2007 in celebration of this occasion. Yes, the story is a bit off topic. I promise to do better with my next post. Thank you for understanding.

Charlie

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

The Jiffy Lube Bible Lady
January 14, 2007

I stopped by the local Jiffy Lube one day last week. I was waiting for my car in the waiting room when an especially effervescent and bubbly lady floated in. She briefly spoke to the lady behind the counter then sat in a chair to my right. Two additional people were waiting for their cars. The lady to my right started talking to everyone present about her chores for the day. I thought it was rather unusual for someone to be so talkative in the waiting room of Jiffy Lube.

She then made a statement that deserved a response. She informed everyone present that she was about to move to Arkansas. I said that Arkansas was the last place I would want to live. She looked somewhat perplexed as she asked me why that was so. I told her that Arkansas was in the middle of the Bible belt. A big smile lit up her face as she told me that was why she was moving there. She then held up something that I had not yet noticed. It was a rather large copy of the Bible. She briefly opened it and I noticed that most of the wording was highlighted in yellow.

She looked me in the eye and said: “This is the Word of God”. I asked; “How do you know? She told me that she follows Billy Gram. It was my turn to be perplexed. I said; “I am concerned about people like you”. She asked me if I supported President Bush in his decision to invade Iraq after the attack of 9/11. I told her that President Bush had planned to invade Iraq before the attack of 9/11.
I asked her if she had seen “An Inconvenient Truth” or “Joseph Campbell and The Power of Myth’. The question was answered with a blank stare.

She told me that she knows that every word in the Bible is the Word of God. She said “I believe in the Bible”. I said; “I believe in the Bhagavad-Gita” and I know it is the Word of God. She said; “I know that I am right.” I said “I know that I am right.”

At this point it was becoming clear that the other two patrons of Jiffy Lube were having very different reactions to this interchange. The lady on the left was squirming in her chair and pleading with us to stop. She looked like she was in psychological pain. I felt some empathy for her but I continued anyway. The younger guy on the right was clearly enjoying the conversation. He was barely able to contain himself.

I asked the Bible Lady if she had ever studied the history of the writing of the Bible. She looked at me with an air of disdain. I told her that I felt quite certain that she would be very happy in Arkansas. The Jiffy Lube clerk returned to the counter and made a comment about our conversation. I informed her that we were discussing the difference between Democrats and Republicans. I heard the lady to my left groan again while the guy on the right continued to enjoy it all. The lady to my left begged me to stop. I then offered to express my observations in a more genuine and animated manner if the Bible Lady cared to talk to me outside the door.

I think it was about this time that the sales clerk informed me that my car was ready. I commented, as I was passing the Jiffy Lube Bible Lady; “It is wise to study the history of scripture.” I heard more groaning as I passed out the door into the lube area where my car was waiting. I told the clerk that it was impossible for the Bible to be accurate. She agreed. She said; “You’re right. It was written in a Middle Eastern language or languages.” I stuck my head out the truck window and said; “She can move to Arkansas and marry her kin” as Spencer and I drove out of the building and off to our next errand.

The clerk and the technicians were smiling as I glanced in my read view mirror.

Namaste,

Charlie Engel

[Shaman]

This post will finish up my response to UPSSup. The following message was sent out as an email and posted on my facebook account earlier today.

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

Dear Friends:

Steven and I just finished listening to DISC ONE - The Path of Service - from the Ram Dass Audio Collection. I highly recommend this collection of six discs. These recordings are inspiring to the max.

Listening to these discs has led us to contemplating and discussing Love, Compassion, Service and other reflections of the Human Experience.

What is The "Highest Love"? What does it feel like? Why is it so simple yet most often elusive? There is no other when we are in "Unconditional Love". There are no expectations or judgments. It is the "Final State of Being". The Universe manifests from that Unified State and we all return there too.

Mata Amritandamayi Devi is a manifestation of "Being In Unconditional Love", "The Love of God". The Love of One who sees no other.

Amma (Mother), otherwise known as "The Hugging Saint" will be visiting the M. A. Center at 10200 Crow Canyon Road, Castro Valley, California from June 3rd to June 12th. Please join us here in the San Francisco Bay Area or elsewhere during Amma's U. S. Tour.

You can learn more about Amma and check out Her schedule @ http://bayarea.amma.org/

Namaste,


Charlie Engel

An interview with Mata Amritanandamayi
by Amy Edelstein
EnlightenNext Magazine
Spring-Summer 2000

[UPSSup]

Shaman, on May 18 2010 - 04:21 PM, said:

Hello UPSSup:

It's been a long time! Great to see you back. I am posting a story that I wrote in 2007 in celebration of this occasion. Yes, the story is a bit off topic. I promise to do better with my next post. Thank you for understanding.

Charlie

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

The Jiffy Lube Bible Lady
January 14, 2007

I stopped by the local Jiffy Lube one day last week. I was waiting for my car in the waiting room when an especially effervescent and bubbly lady floated in. She briefly spoke to the lady behind the counter then sat in a chair to my right. Two additional people were waiting for their cars. The lady to my right started talking to everyone present about her chores for the day. I thought it was rather unusual for someone to be so talkative in the waiting room of Jiffy Lube.

She then made a statement that deserved a response. She informed everyone present that she was about to move to Arkansas. I said that Arkansas was the last place I would want to live. She looked somewhat perplexed as she asked me why that was so. I told her that Arkansas was in the middle of the Bible belt. A big smile lit up her face as she told me that was why she was moving there. She then held up something that I had not yet noticed. It was a rather large copy of the Bible. She briefly opened it and I noticed that most of the wording was highlighted in yellow.

She looked me in the eye and said: “This is the Word of God”. I asked; “How do you know? She told me that she follows Billy Gram. It was my turn to be perplexed. I said; “I am concerned about people like you”. She asked me if I supported President Bush in his decision to invade Iraq after the attack of 9/11. I told her that President Bush had planned to invade Iraq before the attack of 9/11.
I asked her if she had seen “An Inconvenient Truth” or “Joseph Campbell and The Power of Myth’. The question was answered with a blank stare.

She told me that she knows that every word in the Bible is the Word of God. She said “I believe in the Bible”. I said; “I believe in the Bhagavad-Gita” and I know it is the Word of God. She said; “I know that I am right.” I said “I know that I am right.”

At this point it was becoming clear that the other two patrons of Jiffy Lube were having very different reactions to this interchange. The lady on the left was squirming in her chair and pleading with us to stop. She looked like she was in psychological pain. I felt some empathy for her but I continued anyway. The younger guy on the right was clearly enjoying the conversation. He was barely able to contain himself.

I asked the Bible Lady if she had ever studied the history of the writing of the Bible. She looked at me with an air of disdain. I told her that I felt quite certain that she would be very happy in Arkansas. The Jiffy Lube clerk returned to the counter and made a comment about our conversation. I informed her that we were discussing the difference between Democrats and Republicans. I heard the lady to my left groan again while the guy on the right continued to enjoy it all. The lady to my left begged me to stop. I then offered to express my observations in a more genuine and animated manner if the Bible Lady cared to talk to me outside the door.

I think it was about this time that the sales clerk informed me that my car was ready. I commented, as I was passing the Jiffy Lube Bible Lady; “It is wise to study the history of scripture.” I heard more groaning as I passed out the door into the lube area where my car was waiting. I told the clerk that it was impossible for the Bible to be accurate. She agreed. She said; “You’re right. It was written in a Middle Eastern language or languages.” I stuck my head out the truck window and said; “She can move to Arkansas and marry her kin” as Spencer and I drove out of the building and off to our next errand.

The clerk and the technicians were smiling as I glanced in my read view mirror.

Namaste,

Charlie Engel

Ah yes let a man with a five syllable name , high on ganga with a red dot on his forehead speak some nonsense and you will become a disciple to his bullshit.

[UPSSup]

Shaman, on May 20 2010 - 10:28 PM, said:

This post will finish up my response to UPSSup. The following message was sent out as an email and posted on my facebook account earlier today.

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

Dear Friends:

Steven and I just finished listening to DISC ONE - The Path of Service - from the Ram Dass Audio Collection. I highly recommend this collection of six discs. These recordings are inspiring to the max.

Listening to these discs has led us to contemplating and discussing Love, Compassion, Service and other reflections of the Human Experience.

What is The "Highest Love"? What does it feel like? Why is it so simple yet most often elusive? There is no other when we are in "Unconditional Love". There are no expectations or judgments. It is the "Final State of Being". The Universe manifests from that Unified State and we all return there too.

Mata Amritandamayi Devi is a manifestation of "Being In Unconditional Love", "The Love of God". The Love of One who sees no other.

Amma (Mother), otherwise known as "The Hugging Saint" will be visiting the M. A. Center at 10200 Crow Canyon Road, Castro Valley, California from June 3rd to June 12th. Please join us here in the San Francisco Bay Area or elsewhere during Amma's U. S. Tour.

You can learn more about Amma and check out Her schedule @ http://bayarea.amma.org/

Namaste,


Charlie Engel

An interview with Mata Amritanandamayi
by Amy Edelstein
EnlightenNext Magazine
Spring-Summer 2000

Shaman,

the more I think about it the more I really think the company did you wrong. If we had one of our indian management folks in tsg paint a dot on his forehead and wrap himself in a bedsheet before we fired you then we would not be facing these lawsuits from you. Hell if the guy had thrown in a couple of hum de da hum de da's you probably would have resigned out of respect for the guy.

[Shaman]

UPSSup, on May 22 2010 - 02:01 PM, said:

Shaman,

the more I think about it the more I really think the company did you wrong. If we had one of our indian management folks in tsg paint a dot on his forehead and wrap himself in a bedsheet before we fired you then we would not be facing these lawsuits from you. Hell if the guy had thrown in a couple of hum de da hum de da's you probably would have resigned out of respect for the guy.

You don't seem to click on anything. Apparently you don't click at all!

Namaste,

Charlie

[UPSSup]

Shaman, on June 01 2010 - 03:06 PM, said:

You don't seem to click on anything. Apparently you don't click at all!

Namaste,

Charlie

I do click on the point that your anger and lust for revenge holds you captive to ups and contradicts all the peaceful bullshit you spew here.

[Shaman]

UPSSup, on June 10 2010 - 08:25 PM, said:

I do click on the point that your anger and lust for revenge holds you captive to ups and contradicts all the peaceful bullshit you spew here.

I have been obsessively studying the situation in the Gulf of Mexico for over a month now. It is a slowly unfolding tragedy that is beyond comprehension. I have posted a letter to Tony Hayward, C. E. O. of B. P., on Facebook. I used wording that is similar to the letter that I sent to Mike Kamienski, District Manager of United Parcel Service. I hand delivered the letter of August 11, 1997 to a U. P. S. Labor Relations that was visiting the picket line on that date. That letter can be found here in this string as well as in the notes section of my Facebook page.

The names, players and situation change. The basic problems remain the same. You will find the comparison of both these letters to be interesting. Feel free to use phrases and format in your own correspondence.

I will get back to telling the rest of the U. P. S. story some time soon. There are so many stories.............

Charlie Engel (Shaman) on Facebook



Charles R. Engel
P. O. Box 124
Walnut Creek, Ca. 94596
theshaman@earthlink.net

July 14, 2010

Tony Hayward
B. P. Oil UK
Witan Gate House
500/600 Witan Gate
Milton Keynes, MK9 1ES
UK

Phone: +44 (0) 1908 853000

Dear Tony:

I have spent hundreds of hours reading and watching news reports about the tragic situation in the Gulf of Mexico. How can I directly respond to an intentional distortion of truth that is simply too tragic for words? The tragedy lies in the fact that you so insincerely represent such a small dimension of what it means to be fully human.

It is obvious that much preparation went into your public relations campaign. You have been very clever in putting a distorting spin on the truth. When you can’t be truthful it becomes necessary to muddle the facts. It requires exceptional skill to propagandize in such a manner. Joseph Goebbels would be impressed by your efforts. It is obvious that you are hoping to take full advantage of the lack of awareness of the average citizen. If B. P. were to prevail you would suck the vital life out of my community and leave us all with broken promises. I am one of a growing number that are here to see that you don’t.

One of the costumes I wear is that of an environmental activist. I do some research and post on the Internet. I speak up on behalf of all the residents of the Gulf. I care about our planet. I am more fortunate than most. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Internet is but one of many tools that I am learning to use in order to secure the Constitutional rights that have been afforded American Citizens. I aspire to better protect the inhabitants of our wonderful planet from exploitation.

The harming of our oceans and the loss of species pales in comparison to the horror of watching a corporate giant intentionally degrade the spirit of so many. What you are doing is contrary to the American family and the American way of life. Tony, you are a representative of the blank face of unmitigated corporate greed. You are a tentacle of a soulless, parasitic, corporate Goliath. It is your master. I am your antithesis. I represent the heart and soul. The green movement does not wish to slay the beast, merely civilize it.



Chuck Engel
Environmental Activist,
American Citizen and Harmed Resident of Planet Earth

Copy to: Carl-Henric Svanberg, B. P. Chairman

[Shaman]

I wrote the following letter on August 11, 1997. I hand delivered it to Kim Muniz when she visisted the picket line while the Teamsters Union was on strike against United Parcel Service. Ms. Muniz was the U.P.S. Labor Relations Manager. This is the letter that I rewrote and sent to Tony Haward. The names and the circumstances are different. The greed is the same. This letter was posted earlier in the string. I am reposting it here because it is relevant to the Tony Hayward letter.

========================

Charles R. Engel
theshaman@earthlink.net

August 11, 1997

Mike Kamienski
District Manager
United Parcel Service
8400 Pardee Drive
Oakland, California 94621

Dear Mike:

I am in receipt of your letter to UPSer´s dated August 6, 1997. I spent a couple of hours writing a detailed response to that letter only to decide to discard it. How can I directly respond to an intentional distortion of truth that is simply too tragic for words? The tragedy lies in the fact that you so insincerely represent such a small dimension of what it means to be fully human.

It is obvious that much preparation went into your letter. You have been very clever in putting a distorting spin on the truth. When you can´t be truthful it becomes necessary to muddle the facts. It requires exceptional skill to write a letter such as yours. Or were the authors a team of corporate UPS propaganda ministers. Joseph Goebbels would be proud of them. It is obvious that you are hoping to take full advantage of the ignorance and fears of the average worker. If UPS were to prevail you would suck the vital life out of my community and leave us all with broken promises. I am one of a growing number that are here to see that you don´t.

One of the costumes I wear is that of a shop steward. I wear a Teamster jacket and hat and I speak up for the Union. I do so because I can sincerely say that my Union is acting in my best interest. It is in my best interest to speak up for my brothers and sisters of all races that haven´t yet learned to speak for themselves. I care about my community. I am more fortunate than most. I enjoy good wages and the protection of a strong Union. The New Teamsters are but one of many tools that I am learning to use in order to secure the rights that have been afforded the American worker by law. I am struggling to learn how to better protect my coworkers and myself from exploitation.

The temporary loss of wages is nothing compared to the horror of watching a corporate giant intentionally degrade the spirit of so many. What you are doing is contrary to the American family and the American way of life. Mike, you are a representative of the blank face of unmitigated corporate greed. You are a tentacle of a soulless, parasitic, corporate Goliath. It is your master. I am your antithesis. I represent the heart and soul. The New Teamsters do not wish to slay the beast, merely civilize it.

And that´s the way it is.


Chuck Engel
Steward, Teamster Local 78
Stockholder and Car Washer

cc:
Ron Carey, President, International Brotherhood of Teamsters
James P Kelly, Chairman of the Board and CEO, United Parcel Service