In 1993 former Teamsters President (TDU) leader Dan Campbell, a union Ron Carey put Local 705 in a trustee- representative at Local 705. ship, which cleaned up massive The rivalry between Zero and Ground Zero financial mismanagement and began McCormick may have its origins in Two reform-minded building a democratic, progressive and Carey's decision to slate Zero for the militant local. When the trusteeship top spot in the local's 1995 election. Teamsters battle for control ended in 1995, the members narrowly Although Zero gave McCormick of an important local elected as their new leaders the two responsibility for the UPS members, trustees, both of whom had both been who make up more than half the local, By David Moberg longtime advocates of reform—Jerry Zero—who had worked for a small Zero, who held the principal officer trucking company—clearly was the CHICAGO—On a recent sunny Sunday position of secretary-treasurer, and primary leader. Zero emphasized more afternoon, a crowd of Teamsters from John McCormick, the local's president rank-and-file involvement in bargain- Local 705 took a brief break from their (and No. 2 position). ing, organizing and other union beer and tamales to cheer as Tom Now Zero and McCormick are at activities, and greatly expanded the Leedham, the leading challenger to each other's throats in a hotly contested system of stewards to inform and mobi- Teamsters President James Hoffa in next local election that could have national lize the members for action. He also year's election, praised their union as repercussions. McCormick had been the committed the union to local coali- "the best damn Teamsters local in the No. 2 candidate on Leedham's slate tions (like Jobs With Justice), country." Indeed, with about 19,500 when he ran a surprisingly strong race solidarity actions for other unions members working at UPS, freight com- against Hoffa in 1998, and Leedham (from California farmworkers to panies and a wide range of other clearly needs support from Local 705's Salvadoran garment workers), broad trucking-related firms, Local 705 has leaders next year. Such an internecine educational programs for rank-and-file been one of the stalwarts of the struggle certainly doesn't help the leaders, and progressive politics (sup- Teamsters reform movement in a city reformers, but it might force them to porting both labor-friendly Democrats that has otherwise remained define more clearly what they're for, not and the Labor Party). a stronghold of just what they're against, argues Tension between the two escalated the old guard. Teamsters for a Democratic Union early last year, when Zero was suspend-

British family planning charity called Marie Appall-o-Meter Slopes International is starting what it .calls a "vasectomy tourism service" in an By David Futrelle attempt to icall attention to an archaic French law prohibiting vasectomies as a The Raffleman [8.2] form of "self-mutilation." Though the law, Whatever happened to zero tolerance? will have them. But we don't have to go which dates back to Napoleonic times, is Parents in most parts of the country seem that far. In fact, a new bill signed into law ;io longer enforced, it remains on the pretty eager to see guns banished from by Texas Gov. George W. Bush has made books. "In th'e spirit of European together- schools. But in Bastrop, Louisiana parents it possible for hundreds of convicted crim- ness, [we are] offering vasectomy to our have decided to raise money by getting inals to get licenses to carry concealed iFrench neighbors," a spokeswoman for their kids to sell tickets to a shotgun raffle. weapons. Bush and other supporters of the charity told the press. "We also hope Sure, it has been only a few weeks since the new law, which ends Texas' longtime to raise awareness about the archaic two middle school students in nearby ban on concealed weapons, would require penal codes which limit reproductive New Orleans shot and wounded each potential license holders to undergo a rig- other on school grounds. But the Parent orous background check. But a recent Teacher Organization of Beekman School investigation by the Los Angeles 77mes is going ahead with plans to raffle, off a revealed that hundreds of violent criminals new shotgun to one lucky winner, despite had somehow slipped through the cracks. opposition from some parents. This isn't Still, one Bush policy adviser told the the first gun raffle to be held at the Times that he considered the law a Beekman school. And if some parents '"smashing success." "There will always; be have their way, it won't be the last. "The : nightmare cases" said Johnny Sutton, men go nuts for this stuff," one raffle- Bush's criminal justice advisor. "Somebody supporting parent told The Associated will always get through that we wish Press. "If we could have bought a bass wouldn't, but not that many slip by." boat and raffled that off, we would, but we could not afford that." Holiday Shears [4.6| It's fair to say that most Frenchmen trav- :choice in France." So far, though, the char- Packing Heat \B.7\ eling to England, don't do it for the food. ity has had: only one taker-and both Le If we outlaw guns, as that famous But now, The Associated Press reports, .Monde and '.Le Figaro have refused to run bumper sticker slogan goes, only outlaws; they can do it for the vasectomies. A :ads promoting the service.

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ed from union office for a year on a charge that he had shoved a local union opponent (although the union's independent review board, which imposed the penalty, also blamed the opponent, now a top aide to Hoffa, for "deliberate provocation" by engaging in illegal campaigning). Then in late 1998 local union staff decided to organize their own union affiliated with the Mineworkers. McCormick strongly opposed the move, blaming Zero for bringing in another union. During his tenure as principal officer in Zero's absence, McCormick suggest- ed that Zero would not return and that he had discovered evidence of wrong- doing that would lead to internal union charges against Zero. As the jockeying for power intensified, local reformers invited Leedham to inter- Jerry Zero and John McCormick vene. After a two-day meeting in a hotel room near O'Hare airport last The election battle is already intense securing the traditional insurance January, Leedham and the two men and rancorous. Zero and his supporters before a strike that is now running up signed a truce that would keep them insist that the central issue of the elec- large legal bills. together as a unified slate. tion is continuation of reform based on "He's a johnny-come-lately reformer," Zero maintains that McCormick, mobilization of members to win and McCormick says, "and now he's one of under pressure from supporters with lit- enforce better contracts and to orga- the first to go south on us. I didn't lose tle commitment to reform, never nize new workers. They criticize faith in original reform principles. intended to abide by the agreement. McCormick for opposing the creation He did." McCormick says that Zero violated the of a local strike fund and a stewards' "The whole fight is just about their truce by firing two staffers soon after he council. Zero wanted these in order to wanting the power," Zero responds. returned last February. (The agreement develop a system for electing shop "We were always colleagues, as far as said that no staff would be fired without stewards, who are now appointed. They getting reform going. I always tried to cause, but Zero maintained the two peo- also maintain that McCormick made share in the glory. John was always ple fired were not doing their job.) concessions and failed to fight aggres- behind me, but usually two blocks Shortly afterward McCormick filed sively on various issues, including behind me, and if it got rough, three internal union charges against Zero for improving pensions. blocks behind me." negotiating with the staff union, criticiz- For his part, McCormick criticizes While most of the staff and local ing and working against other officers, Zero for his performance in represent- TDU activists support Zero, the major- and improperly approving some staff ing workers at UPS, as well as his ity of the old executive board backs leaves and pay raises. As the conflict esca- financial management and attempts to McCormick. Neither candidate is lated, Zero fired McCormick and three seize power by illegally dismissing him endorsing Hoffa or Leedham. But there other officers from their non-elected and the other officials. McCormick are clear signs that Hoffa, who will positions as business agents. The four charges that Zero will run a deficit of have the final voice in most of the went to court to get their pay restored. $300,000 this year as a result of hiring charges filed against Zero, has been While that case is being appealed, inter- extra staff to work for his re-election. courting his support. Zero has appeared nal union charges against Zero have also He argues that Zero is resorting to old- at events with Leedham but says, "I'm been filed over the dismissals. guard-style efforts to maintain his not disappointed with some things Now Zero and McCormick are head- power through misuse of union Hoffa has done." ing opposing slates in the local election finances, after McCormick operated While the bitter fight is a setback for that concludes in early December, with with a surplus last year. reformers, this rough-and-tumble McCormick's main support among UPS Zero's supporters say that he operated democracy is still a victory in their workers, traditionally the reform base, in the black in 1998 and that any fight against a long history of corrup- and Zero's support spread across many financial problems this year will result tion and tyranny in the Teamsters, as constituencies. (Three other slates, from paying for the four officers whose well as a step, however chaotic and dis- mainly reflecting the old-guard, pro- salaries were restored and for mistakes appointing, toward creating a union Hoffa faction are also running.) that McCormick made, such as not that serves their needs. •

NOVEMBER 27, 2000 7 IN THESE TIMES

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weren't already laughing too hard— and eventually Money for shooed off the steps by City Councilman Nothing Stephen DiBrienza. "Billionaires" rally for This "counter- protest" by the stock market subsidies Billionaires—a spin- off of Billionaires for By Neil deMause Bush or Gore, the NEW YORK—The rally on the steps of United for a Fair Wall Street's Federal Hall was winding Economy (UFE) down. The last of the speakers was brainchild that now denouncing the $1.1 billion in subsidies sports 55 local the New York Stock Exchange is set to chapters—was set to receive from state and city coffers. That coincide with the was when Reverend Billy, his eyes blazing release of New above his clerical collar, stepped up and York's top-10 worst Reverend Billy offers some trading tips. grabbed the bullhorn. corporate retention deals, as compiled by is continuing, according to Good Jobs Introducing himself as a representative Good Jobs New York, a subsidy watchdog New York's Alice Meaker. In March, of Billionaires for a Better Trading Floor, group. The NYSE deal, first announced Internet provider PSInet signed a deal the reverend shouted, "What do you poor- by Mayor Rudolph Giuliani in late 1998, to receive $60 million in city money people lovers call yourselves, the Alliance includes city and state subsidies and tax over 15 years in exchange for providing for a Working Economy? Well, the econo- breaks for a new stock exchange head- 450 new jobs—or just one job for every my is working! It's working for us—the quarters to be constructed across the $133,000 in public expenditures, one of billionaires!" Besides, he added, $1.1 bil- street from the present building. the worst cost-benefit ratios on record. lion "is not that much money—my wife Even in the midst of an economic "The states are stuck in a policy rut, spent that much on shoes last year!" boom that has left many companies 15 years and counting, of reducing taxes Reverend Billy was roundly booed—by scrambling to find suitable Manhattan to 'improve their business climate,' those in the lunchtime crowd who office space, the city's corporate largess says Greg LeRoy of Good Jobs First, the New York group's Washington-based THIS Mft»»U W*IL» bv TOM TOMORROW parent organization. JOURNEY WITH US TO A WORLD FOR INSTANCE., WHILE. OUR PRESI- AND WHILE. OUR INTERDIMENSIONAL While corporate subsidies have come NEARLf IDENTICAL TO OUR OWN-- DENTIAL CANDIDATES STAND IN STARK COUNTERPARTS CLAIM TO LIVE IN WITH A FEW SMALL BUT DIS- CONTRAST TO ONE ANOTHER, THE A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY, THEIR CAN- under increasing criticism, LeRoy TURBING DIFFERENCES — CANDIDATES OF PARALLEL EARTH DIDATES ARE—INCREDIBLY ENOU5H-- notes, across-the-board corporate tax ARE OFTEN VIRTUALLY INDISTIN- UTTERLY DEPENDENT ON THE LARGESS GUISHABLE'. OF CORPORATE CONTRIBUTORS! cuts are increasingly common and YES, YES--THEY BOTH SUPPORT THE HEY—IN THIS SOCIETY, THE RICH . largely hidden from the public eye. PARALLEL DEATH PENALTY, WELFARE REFORM, AND POOR ARE EQUALLY «££ THE DRUG WAR AND UNFETTERED TO PURCHASE POLITICAL INFLUENCE.'! "With companies screaming that they ECONOMIC 6LOBALIZATIOM— can't find enough high-skilled work- So THERE. You EARTH! PANTS PARALLEL UNIVERSE | ers," LeRoy adds, "why would we see?BUT DON' ONTE YOOFU KNOW-IT-ALLS.' throw a billion dollars to the financial THEM MAY services • sector, which is already APPOINT A SLIGHTLY extremely profitable, instead of LESS CON- SERVATIVE spending money on things that get us JUDICIARY! more skilled labor?"

THANK GOODNESS WE LIVE ON EARTH PRIME— As for the Billionaires, they plan WHERE A THRIVING DEMOCRACY ENSURES THAT ALL VOICES ARE HEARD: so WHETHER YOU'RE to continue their lobbying efforts VOTING FOR ZOLTHAR, GAK, XYLON OR KLAATU— on behalf of corporate greed during JUST BECAUSE A CANDIDATE REPRESENTS THE BELIEFS JUST BE SURE TO VOTE! their national day of action on OF MILLIONS of AMERICANS— HA, HA! AS IF ANYONE WOULD EVER SIT OUT AN ELECTION! Election Day (details can be found at —IT DOESNT MEAN HE HAS A www.billionairesforbushorgore.com). RIGHT TO BE HEARD'. WHAT DO YOU THINK THIS 15- PARALLEL EARTH'! "With all of the legislation that's NOT ON coming forward," says Billionaire mis EARTH! organizer Robin U. Blind (a.k.a. Dara Silverman of UFE), "billionaires are going to want to stand up and make sure their money is speaking louder than anything else." •

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from a public figure rather than a cor- Laughing Matter poration or its trademark, he wouldn't be in any trouble whatsoever," says Craig Butler Chris Oarr, executive director of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, which is assisting Dwyer in his fight. "It n his 13 years as a comic book artist, She dismissed the charges of trademark is a frightening thought that corpora- Kieron Dwyer has limned the and copyright infringement, determin- tions seem to wield rights that exempt adventures of Captain America, ing that Dwyer's work was a legitimate them from satire." Daredevil and even Superman. But parody and would therefore be protect- Dwyer argues that "when a company none of these superheros had to face the ed under a "fair use" defense. However, enters the public arena of selling prod- evil villain Dwyer himself is battling— ucts and shoving their messages Corporate America. i down our throats, when they've In 1997, Dwyer began self-publishing a spread their seeds in virtually satirical comic called Lowest Comic |5 every comer of the globe, they Denominator (www.LCDcomic.com). [5 lose a certain amount of protec- The premier issue's cover featured a par- tion, like a politician does. ody of the logo for Starbucks, the We're ultimately the ones fund- near-ubiquitous coffee shop chain. ing their existence. Why can't Dwyer's parody changed the words we comment on it? Big organiza- "Starbucks Coffee" to "Consumer tions and companies can silence Whore," replaced a couple of stars with people in any number of ways. dollar signs, and added nipples, a navel But when was the last time you ring, a cell phone and a dazed look to the heard of an individual silenc- "siren" figure that graces the center of the ing a corporation?" logo. Pleased with his work, Dwyer also Aside from the considerable printed it on T-shirts and stickers. time he must devote to fight- "I was criticizing Starbucks, specifi- ing the lawsuit, the case has cally," says Dwyer, a 33-year-old res- also impacted his art. "I now ident of San Francisco, about his have to be more sensitive to motivation for creating the whom or what I parody or lam- logo parody. "But I was also poon in my comic," Dwyer targeting ordinary people— says, "which makes the whole myself included —who idea of doing a satire magazine kind of become enslaved seem almost pointless." to their product—or any Dwyer, who cites Andy product, for that matter. Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein You know, 'Consumer as among his influences, notes Whore' denotes to me the that part of his problem is the idea that many, maybe media in which his logo has most, people in America will she upheld appeared—comic books, T-shirts and blindly do anything to satisfy Starbucks' stickers. "Apparently, if you make a their desires. And corporations charge of trade- lithograph of a soup can on canvas, it's such as Starbucks feed on this mark dilution— art," he says. "If you print a logo paro- weakness in people, this desperate mid- that the parody tarnish- dy on a cotton shirt, it's simply dle-class consumerism, because it keeps es Starbucks' trademark—thus clearing commerce"—and therefore fair game them in business." the way for the suit to go forward. (No for corporate lawyers. Unfortunately for Dwyer, the coffee trial date has yet been set, and settle- Ironically, the negative publicity this giant got wind of his parody logo and ment negotiations are ongoing.) case generates may prove more harmful responded with a lawsuit charging "How could it be one and not the to Starbucks' bottom line than the copyright infringement, trademark other?" a bewildered Dwyer asks. "How alleged trademark dilution. infringement and trademark dilution. could this 'clear parody' not infringe Of course, the litigation isn't helping Starbucks immediately filed for a the copyright or trademark yet still tar- Dwyer's bottom line, with his own legal restraining order, which would have nish the trademark?" costs and the possibility of paying required Dwyer to turn over all items Dwyer's lawyers also challenge the Starbucks' legal fees if he loses. Yet he bearing the parody logo. logic behind this decision and question remains philosophical about it. "It At a hearing on May 26, U.S. why a "fair use" defense does not apply wasn't my primary goal to make a lot of District Court Judge Maxine Chesney to the dilution aspect of the case. "If money," he says. "If I wanted to be rich, issued a seemingly contradictory ruling. Dwyer's cartoon had drawn inspiration I'd be selling overpriced coffee." •

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