TDU Criticizes Teamsters Salaries

Top Teamsters officials are making too much money, according to a dissident faction within the union.

Officials at Teamsters for a Democratic Union, some of Teamsters President James P. Hoffa’s severest critics, released a report Aug. 27 listing the members of the Teamsters "$100,000 club" – 142 officials who made at least $100,000 in 1998.

Detroit-based TDU is particularly irked over the practice of "double-dipping" -- union officials taking a salary from both the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the local they are affiliated with.

TDU said Hoffa pledged in the 1996 election campaign to limit the aggregate multiple salaries of his running mates to $150,000. But according to TDU, the following four senior Teamster officials made more than $170,000 in total compensation in 1998:

• Patrick W. Flynn, Chicago, $296,762 (International, Local 710)
• Les Singer, Toledo, $225,433 (International, Ohio Conference, Joint Council 44, Local 20)
• Walter Lytle, Fort Wayne, Ind., $175,259 (International, Indiana Conference, Local 414
• Phil Young, Kansas City, Mo., $174,103 (International, Local 41)

IBT spokesman Chip Roth says there’s a touch of hypocrisy in the TDU accusations.

"Curiously, they were loath to criticize their own supporters who are no longer on the list because they were thrown out by members for stealing members’ dues money -- funneling money into the Ron Carey reelection campaign," Roth said.

TDU was an ally of ousted Teamsters President Ron Carey.

As for the campaign promised cited by TDU, Roth said no such promise was made in 1998, the year Hoffa was elected.

TDU said the report was based on union financial forms filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.

Ultimately, the membership will judge what is too much and what is not enough," Roth said.