The charges against me are improperly proffered, false and are evidence that the signatories have very little knowledge of the ATU Constitution (nor sympathy for the members whose lives they affect).

It was handed to me by Secretary-Treasurer Cleveland Atkins on the night of our membership meeting of January 9, 2024 before I was sworn in as Executive Board member by ATU International Vice President Marcellus Barnes.

- The charges were improperly proffered. As of today, Sister President Pennie McCoach has not notified the membership about these charges. According to Section 22.3, these false charges were supposed to be served at least 15 days BEFORE the regular meeting and contemporaneously (at the same time) posted at our work locations. She had them served ONLY to me during the meeting. 

She and the Executive Board are out-of-order. 

- Who are the people who signed it? According to Section 22.3, any signatory must be a member in good standing. As shown in their false charges, none of them can be identified or confirmed by any member. None of the names are legible, the first one is in pencil. The CTA identification numbers—knowledge of which is not freely accessible—is proprietary employer information. 

Are we to believe these mysterious people are members in good standing? How can the members know—for a fact—if they are members?

- According to Section 22.4, these false charges were supposed to have been brought before the regular meeting. At that meeting they were supposed to be voted on by the membership to decide if they are worthy of consideration. Not a single word about them was discussed during the meeting. 

Ironically, prior to swearing in, Sister President called me and the officers together in her office for a prayer about unity and cooperation in service to the membership. 

- First charge: According to Section 22.1, the charges must be specific. Is the aforementioned Code of Conduct from the ATU Constitution and/or Local 308 bylaws? What is the Section? Which particular codes did I refuse to abide by? Why are no specific codes of conduct cited? When did I refuse to abide by them? What did I say or do that proves I was not abiding by it? There are about two dozen Code of Conduct requirements. Some are very ambiguous and are constantly being violated by Board Members with no punishment. 

- Second charge: Again, this charge is out-of-order regarding Section 22.1. It is non-specific and could be applied to anyone at anytime. What incident that required votes did I reveal, to whom and where? Did I reveal identifying information? If so, whose information? And was that person willing to be identified? If not, why? Why are members sent away while the Board votes? Why was it common practice 20+ years ago to question, deliberate and vote in the presence of the member? Why the secrecy now? Is the union an agent for the member or an agent for the employer?

- Third charge: Who did I allegedly share this threat to put [ILRB] “labor charges” on Local 308? When? In fact, I have never done, nor advocated such a thing. In fact, I discourage it! That includes calling police on members. All my labor charges are against our outlaw, terrorist employer! It is public record! 

Ironically, not a single ATU official has ever assisted with or supported my labor charges—nor Section 22  charges I have submitted for their betraying members to managers, refusing to enroll new members and using violence against me when they refuse to answer questions. 

Frankly, this charge is a goddamn lie! I told a member—who the Board abandoned—that I would ASSIST her in filing ILRB charges against the CTA if the membership could not overturn the Board’s decision. The CTA fires good, hard-working people like her to no fault of their own. That is my DUTY as a union official to help them!

Ironically, after barely succeeding to do just that at the January 9th membership meeting, I told her again. In addition I told her the officials are trying to punish me for helping her. She was confused why they would do that. 

- Fourth charge: What directives did I refuse ? What disruption did I do to warrant police be called? Why was Sister President Pennie removing an elected union officer who was being paid by the members to be present and advocate for them? 

This entire document wreaks of unprofessional and corrupt misconduct by persons who seem more obsessed with silencing one militant voice—but not concerned at all about the expired Contract, our low wages and defending the CTA and its third-party administrator. 

These charges are not about some contrived Code of Conduct. It is squarely about my unwavering support for human beings who are chronically abused by a cold-blooded, merciless, outlaw employer. 

Freedom and expression and passion regarding the ATU Preamble and Obligation should be embraced and encouraged. Not met with vindictiveness and tyranny! These charges are nonsense, an embarrassment to the ATU and a condemnation of insecure, undemocratic, inept, pro-CTA misleadership.