LEST WE FORGET - JONATHAN HUNT, A BIT OF HIS HISTORY AND DISREGARD FOR ATU AND THE MEMBERSHIP

EDUCATE YOURSELF - VOTE SMART

Re-blogged from the last election, the DOL investigation and the re-run. 

Jonathan Hunt

Running for President of ATU

The majority of the information regarding the challenges, DOL investigation and the reason for the election re-runs ARE FOR MOST PART, BASED ON HUNT'S BEHAVIOR! 

He was using Union resources for campaigning and violating property campaign rules by:

1.)  Trying to have luncheons on properties and then directly arguing with property managers over it, not once but twice, which then led Trimet to shut down campaign privileges for everyone for 10 days.

2.) Using Union resources while campaigning and coercing other candidates to file a challenge.

Keep in mind, all three, (Shirley, Jon and Mary) were on the same ticket so all three were involved but the DOL only found the top two (Shirley and Jon) guilty for the re-run.  

Other facts of major concern:

1.) Trimet Union President faces DUI Charge:  

The head of the union representing TriMet bus drivers, train operators, mechanics and maintenance staff was arrested Dec. 26 and charged with driving while intoxicated, authorities say.

Jonathan J. Hunt was booked into the Multnomah County Jail Dec. 27 and charged with driving under the influence of intoxicants.

Jonathan J. Hunt, 40, was driving a 2003 Ford car registered to the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 757when he was arrested, Gresham police spokeswoman Malaka Kerbs said. Hunt is president of the 2,000-member union president.

This is something that should never be forgotten. His blatant disregard for the lives of others. The liability issues alone could have set us back years if not destroyed us completely. He was thoughtless and irresponsible with our trust. Had he killed or injured anyone or damaged their property the Union was liable. The media had a hay day with it.  It's beyond comprehension that the President of the only Public Transit Union in the State would drive intoxicated in the Union car.  It goes against our grain, everything we, as transit Operators believe to be true and honorable and moral about our world on the streets. It was like a big 'ol slap on the face to everyone of us. He should've been fired!  

2.) HE WAS DIRECTLY INVOLVED with changing our Unions status from 'A REAL UNION' to a NO STRIKE CLAUSE (it was done quietly without member input or vote.) (specifics on it in a separate posting, possibly early next week). 

3.) "Regardless of what he tells you, HE WAS DIRECTLY INVOLVED with the contract negotiations which led to our contract going to arbitration. There were no other contracts for Trimet employees that had as many TAKE AWAYS as that one contract!" 

His old Union car. He had 3 accidents in it. Was he drinking or texting?  They were rear ends. Not usually the type of accident a professional has. But then, a professional usually doesn't have  accidents. 

OTHER INFRACTIONS, LACK OF TEAMWORK, HOW HE TREATED HIS CO-WORKERS.

1.) Our locals bylaws state that the top three Officers receive the same vacation as from the location they were elected from. 

Jonathan Hunt has 5 weeks. 

In the past Jon has taken his allotted vacation as paid time off. He is also compensated for an additional 50% or 2 1/2 weeks (this would give him 7 1/2 weeks of vacation pay) This is spread out over his paychecks for 26 pay periods.  The reason being, back in the days of Heintzman and Wallace - they gave up their vacations to work. If they didn't use 'em they lost 'em, so these rules came in so as to guarantee half of it on their pay and the other half actual time taken off away from the job.

International Constitution states "you shall not better your benefits from your elected location."

BUT,  Hunt was bettering himself by taking sick days and not marking them as sick. Then he was taking vacation days,  in actual vacation time and the 50% on his checks.

2.) Taking several and unnecessary trips which included his family on Union money. They were staying at high end Hotels like the Hilton Marriott, and not being held accountable. 

3) There were missing credit card receipts on a monthly basis. The billing statements were far higher then the few receipts he manages/d to hand in. He didn't always turn in itemized receipts. Additionally, Secretary-Treasurer Mary Longoria is refusing to be transparent with members requests for accountability by only showing 'summary statements'.  Is there anyone out there, other than Executive Board Officers who have actually seen receipts?  If so, please write a comment below.

4.) Not coming into the office for days, allegedly working from home. For example. he'd call in on a Monday or Friday - making his weekend longer, getting full pay. 

5.) Hunt never took sick time until Bruce Hansen was elected. Bruce negotiated the majority of the contracts, often working 7 days per week and at least 4 additional hours past his 8 on a daily basis. He didn't have any assistance. Jon refused to work as a team. The VP position was created years ago by Ron Heintzman in order to help lighten the load after more properties were coming on board.  

6.) Jon spent multiple hours sitting in his office with the door closed.

7.) He was using the Union car for personal business and only paying $60 a month to have that privilege, unlimited gas and high end Hotels, no accountability. Plus, he was receiving honor points at hotels and using the Union's AAA membership for his personal vehicles. 

8.) I have personally been told by someone who claims to be friends with Al Margulies that Hunt broke into Bruce Hansen's office, stole the unratified contract before it had been seen by the lawyers and handed it over to Margulies for publication on his Blog. 

 Running for President of ATU 757

      “Charm was a scheme for making strangers like

           and trust a person immediately, no matter what

           the charmer had in mind”

           Kurt Vonnegut