Brothers and Sisters,
My name is Jeff Engels. I was the IBU member who ran against the Incumbant Dave Frieboth for the President of the IBU. The final tally on Dec. 16 was Dave 837 and 827 for myself. Subsequently I requested a recount due to the close race and was denied.
On 12/29 I filed a challenge of the Election with the President of the IBU. Two other rank-n-file members of the IBU have filed challenges as well for a variety of violations. It is my intent to bring my allegations in front of our executive council and resolve the matter internally.
This was a hard fought campaign in which I raised issues such as Communication, Internal Organizing, Coordination of Bargaining between the ports, Improving our working relation with the Longshore Division, Education of new members etc. While Brother Karody is correct that indeed this is an IBU internal issue, many of us in the IBU have tremendous respect for the Longshore Division of the ILWU and are fighting to rebuild the IBU into a more militant, progressive division of the ILWU and wish to work closely with you if we are to survive into the next Century.
In closing I would like to thank the 49. 9% of the IBU who have been with me in this struggle so far and let you know I will continue to fight for a more Dynamic, Democratically controlled IBU in order to maintain our proud heritage on the waterfront.
In Solidarity,
Jeff Engels IBU-ILWU
