On Wednesday, November 7, 2012, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters by order of General President James Hoffa removed former Local 118 President Gene DeLorme from office for two years for the attempted embezzlement of Union Funds.

After four days of hearings, hundreds of pages of testimony, evidence and witnesses, the three man committee recommended suspension from office and General President Hoffa concurred, ordering the immediate removal of DeLorme from the Local.

This decision has been a long time coming. The pice of events within our Local can never be measured. No matter which 'side' of this issue you were on, a toll was paid. There will be time to reflect on the cost but we have been given a chance. I intend to take this chance and rebuild Local 118 and place our Local and our Members back on the pedestal that they belong. Local 118 has always been considered one of the flagship Locals in Upstate and Western NY and I intend on getting that respect back!

Representing some of the most unique companies in our area; whether as a production worker with Kraft Foods or O-AT-KA Milk, on the can line at the Genesee Brewery or working the midnight shift in the Freezer Warehouse at Wegmans, our 4,500 members represent a cross section of Americana. Together with UPS, Construction, Freight, Textile, Beer & Beverage, Warehousing and more our Local touches every single corner of our society. In addition, as the President of Local 791 I helped bring in over 700 members from the Greece Central School District bringing the total of Public Sector employees to almost 1,000!

I want everyone to know, I am pleased with the decision that was handed down by our General President. I have seen first hand the devestation that has been wrought by current events within our Local. I know that there are members out there that did not support us during this time, and I understand your loyalty and I commend you on your convictions. 

The time to heal is here. I would ask that you keep an open mind and see what our Team will offer Local 118. I would ask that you look at everyone on the Markwitz Slate and see what I and most of the Local already know. We are the future of Local 118.

You will begin to see a transformation on this website. The decision has been made and our Local is rid of the problem. This website will become what I have always wanted it to be. A place to see WHAT WILL BE.....

We have always told you the truth and we have always given you all the information you have needed to make your own informed decision and I never intend to stop that. Those of you from Local 791 know this, you know the kind of Leader I was and you know the kind of representation you were given under my Local. I do not intend to stop that as the President of Local 118. I am so proud of the members of my slate and I am so proud of the work that have done and will do in the future. 



I want to take the time to introduce my Team and I know that you will agree with me, they are an extraordinary group!

Many of you don't know John Emrich but did you know that while John has been quietly representing his workers at Kraft and OATKA, both of these Companies have seen phenomenal growth. John helped create the productions lines for the very popular Lunchables product and is now working on adding production lines for a new brand of frosting at Kraft. All of this mean new jobs for the community and our Local. John brings over 30 years of experience to Local 118 and I am proud to include him as one of your Trustees and Business Agent.

Jeff Sargent began his career as an Officer of Local 118 just last year and was placed right in the middle of a storm. Instead of quitting, instead of running with the crowd, Jeff saw right from wrong and at great peril to his career, Jeff did the right thing. Because Jeff never wavered, justice was served. Meanwhile Jeff has been representing his members at UPS Henrietta as their Chief Steward. WIth over 270 members, Jeff has helped solidify this building as one of our most loyal Teamster groups. I see great things for Jeff in the future and all of us should watch as Jeff's career in the Teamsters takes off! Jeff will be running as a Trustee for Local 118.

When I first began organizing the Greece Central School District, I watched one of their members at the meetings. Sitting quietly in the back, taking all of it in. There was a lot of infighting amoung the workers and it was clear that they needed the Teamsters. As the organizing drive began to take traction, this man approached me. He was excited about the possibilty for change and I could see that he would become an asset to the Teamsters. Boy was I right! Mike Maynard has surpassed my wildest expectations. Mike became a Steward for his group and once we merged, Mike ran for Chief Steward of the 750 Food Service, Office Secretaries, Buildings & Grounds and Transportation workers. Recognizing his drive and desire, Local 118 President Steve Mazza promoted Mike to Business Agent and Mike has never stopped. In addition to Greece, Mike also represent many, many of the local townships and villages in the area. He has organized many of them himself and has become an expert on negotiating first time contracts, perhaps the most difficult task for an Officer. I am excited to offer Mike Maynard as your next Vice-President for Local 118!

Perhaps my biggest disappointment has been watching our membership unravel over at Wegmans. The complete lack of information that is being given to the membership is evident when I visit there and when we have our general membership meetings. Time and time again, Wegmans Teamsters have called or approached me in frustration because they just don't know what is going on. They can either rely on the lies and half-truths of a few malcontents or they can simple give up. Well, there was always one man there that did NOT give up. He did NOT bury his head in the sand nor did he drink the Koolaid. He took the time to remain educated and he took the time to learn the truth. Bill Allen approached our group almost a year ago and told us, if we run for office he wanted to be a part of our team. That committment has never wavered. Bill has been a voice of reason and calm at Wegmans and as your next Recording Secretary and Business Agent, I know Bill will take his over 30 years of experience as a Teamster, Truck Driver and small business owner and apply them at Wegmans. Once we get into office, I know that you will see an immediate difference. I can't wait and I know the members at Wegmans can't either!

Larry Thibault began his career as a Union member with Delco Products for over 31 years. After retiring, Larry began a second career as a Driver with the Greece Central School District. Under Local 791, I brought Larry in as an advisor and part-time Business Agent because of his knowledge and expertise. I have asked Larry to run for the position of Trustee with our Local and his knowledge and support at the School District will be a great asset to all of us.

I am proud to be able to include this Brother on my Team. Chris Toole worked for United Parcel Service for 20 years before becoming Local 118's Secretary-Treasurer for the past 10 years. It was with Chris' help that the merger of Local 118 and 791 took place. I want to make that clear. With the exception of Steve Mazza, the other Officers (Including DeLorme) did not want the merger. I commend Chris on his foresight and resolution to make this historic merger take place, making our Local one of the largest in New York State. Chris is a first rate negotiator, handling our largest Companies, including, at one time Wegmans and Greece and now UPS, the Freight and many others. Chris is a no nonsense, take charge person that gets the job done and gets it done well! He also has the respect of his peers throughout the Teamsters, having been picked to sit on the UPS, UPS Freight, DHL and Master Freight Negotiations Committees and Grievance and Discharge Panels. I consider Chris one of my closest friends and together along with the rest of my Team, we are going to do great things for Local 118!

Finally, I will humbly tell you that I will be running for President of this Local. I started my career with Spartan Beverage at Local 118 before moving to the Genesee Brewery with Local 791. I was appointed as a Trustee of the Local and finally ran and became their President. I truly love my job! I love interacting with the members and there isn't a place I go where I don't see a Teamster and I get to stop and say hello and find out how they are doing. This job and this Union have given me everything that I have and I know that our members are better off because they are Teamsters. My bio is listed further on in this website and I won't bore you with those details here. What I want you to know, is that the Teamsters are in my blood. I have so many great ideas that I want to make happen. So many programs I want to start. I don't know where I'll get the time in the day to do them all, but I don't care! I know my Team will be there because they share my vision too and I know that all of us will make this Local something we can be proud of again!

Good times are coming and I CAN'T WAIT!!!!
 
Fraternally Yours;

Paul Markwitz

Paul Markwitz has begun making the rounds through Local 118. Paul has visited Wegmans Brooks Avenue THREE times over the past 3 weeks. During his visits, Paul  has stopped to talk to warehouse workers and drivers, Teamsters with 3 months seniority and some with 30 years. The underlying concern? Where are our Business Agents? Why is this contract so one sided? Why can't I get answers?

Paul wants to know, why is this happening? Why should dues paying members not even KNOW who their Agent is? Why should they fear their Union Stewards for wanting answers?

In 2006 your Union negotiated one of the finest agreements in the Warehousing Division. Your pension contributions have almost tripled in 6 years, tighter language on seniority, improved pay scales for layover and mileage drivers, unheard of wage increases for skilled trade workers and much more. Unfortunately, since Gene DeLorme has taken office, what has he done? He has allowed Kevin McIntosh, Dave Weilert and Tim Barbeto to gut your contract. All while Gene DeLorme sits by...clueless, befuddled by the complexities of your agreement.

They have given away layover work to Boston and the Mid Atlantic States (Fact: before President Mazza retired, there were over 100 layover drivers...today there are 30). He has taken away the junior man's ability to bid a summer vacation (Fact: Kevin is allowing senior men to make their third week pick IMMEDIATELY AFTER posting their two prime choices). Junior drivers are stuck working in the yard at $10-$14 per hour (Fact: junior drivers in progression are forced into yard), senior Stewards are demanding the right to bump the few remaining layovers our of their jobs on a day to day basis (Fact: Dick Militello has filed a grievance demanded this very thing). The contract is up in 8 short months and Kevin and Gene have done nothing to start the process.

Well, Paul Markwitz is ready to continue Local 118's successful history of negotiating some of the finest contracts in the IBT family. Paul has ressurected the Genesee Brewery from near bankruptcy. Paul has single handedly organized a majority of the new members in Local 118 over the past 2 years (Fact: Dave Weilert has organized less than 10!). Paul has successfully worked with investors, actuaries and his fellow Trustees to turn the New York State Bakery Driver's Pension Fund into a success story, taking this Pension Fund from critical status to Green Status in one year. (Fact: Gene DeLorme has done NOTHING to improve the NYS Teamsters Pension Fund and refuses to divulge any information to the members about a Fund that has YOUR money in it!)

When elected, Paul Markwitz will IMMEDIATELY step into Wegmans negotiations with your Union Stewards and an ELECTED NEGOTIATION COMMITTEE. This Committee will represent the MEMBERS...not a small self serving group of OUT OF TOUCH Stewards. Paul knows there ARE Stewards out there right now that WANT to do the right thing....are READY to do the right thing and he has met with them and has set up plans with THEM for YOUR future!

Wegmans is the largest employer with Local 118, but it's time to stop spreading those numbers around because Gene and Kevin think they make them invincible. It's time to use those numbers to RALLY together under a NEW LEADER and IMPROVE an already GREAT contract from a GREAT company!

Local 118 Presidential Candidate Paul Markwitz with members of his Team hit the ground running this summer. There was the successful launch of the Team Markwitz Campaign with the now famous 'Hots 'n the Lot', 'Chillin' in Ellison' and the opening of the Brew House. Stay tuned for more!

HOT's 'n The Lot

Today was a GREAT day for Paul Markwitz and his supporters. Paul hosted a first of it's kind Hotdog Cookout Campaign for the members of Local 118.

As part of Paul's campaign promise, he is committed to visiting EVERY barn and talk to EVERY member during this year's election. The most important part of being a Teamster is the responsibility to actively support your Officers and Business Agents and the easiest way to show that support is by voting in their election.

This year Local 118 is having one of the most important elections in the last 24 years. Not since 1988 have the members had to make such an important choice. Much like in 1988 when Frank Posato overwhelmingly beat 34 year incumbant Ernie Moyer, Paul Markwitz has made it his goal to TAKE THIS UNION BACK for the members.

That mission started today at the Genesee Brewery. Paul Markwitz, Chris Toole, John Emrich and Mike Maynard cooked hotdogs for over 200 Teamsters today, talking about their plans, meeting new Teamsters and discussing the failures of our current leaders and how they will fix them.

It was great to see our Brothers and Sisters stop by and truly enjoy themselves. It was amazing to see members from ALSCO, UPS, Hanson, UPS FREIGHT, Sheet Metal Workers Local 46, Plumbers Local 13, IBEW Local 86 and more stop by and show their support!

Watch for Team Markwitz to stop by your Barn soon!