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Star-Bulletin photo by Ken Ige
Investigative reporter Ian Lind, walking in the shadow
of UPW State Director Gary Rodrigues, outside of the union
trial held in Honolulu July 13, 1999.
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The UPW series
(most recent stories at the
top)
The United Public Workers is the state's second largest
public employee union, representing blue collar employees of
the state and counties. The union's long-time director, Gary
Rodrigues, is considered one of the state's most politically
influential labor leaders. But Rodrigues' tight personal
control of the union has crushed internal democratic
processes and brought a backlash among UPW members.
This series of groundbreaking investigative stories
uncovered abuses of power within the union, prompting a
federal grand jury probe of the union.
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- Indictment: Rodrigues skimmed $2000: The UPW director is charged with fraud, embezzlement and money laundering. March 8, 2001
- Federal breach of contract suit targets rodrigues
and union. May
2, 2000
- Rodrigues critics will get top-level hearing An
AFSCME board will review the ruling that cleared the UPW
leader of violating workers' rights. February
5, 2000
- State employee cleared of charges The state labor
board clears an employee who was accused of violating
laws in a UPW election. February
2, 2000
- Grand jury subpoenaes records from UPW &
Rodrigues' daughter.
November
22, 1999
- Rodrigues accusers appeal 'defective' union trial.
Ask AFSCME president to overturn decision. October
19, 1999
- Text of appeal
- Union might have to change elections, shift voting
power to membership. October
12, 1999
- UPW members may lose right to recall. Amendments
to constitution rushed to vote. September
24, 1999
- Union rejects claims against
Rodrigues. Member who complained calls decision absurd.
Sept
13, 1999
Click here for the full text
of the decision.
- Editorial: Decision appears
a whitewash. Sept
14, 1999
- Labor Dept. confirms probe
of UPW's Rodrigues: The case appears to focus on ties to
a company doing business with the union. Also: No reason
given for delay in AFSCME ruling.
Sept
3, 1999
- Decision expected soon on union charges. Rodrigues
says he owes members no explanation.
August
14, 1999
- Union trial of UPW director Gary Rodrigues ends .
Complainants say they can't get their side out because of
procedures. July
13,1999
- Full text of the complaint filed against UPW State
Director Gary Rodrigues. Click
here
- Rodrigues is no stranger to trials. Also faced
charges in 1983. July
12, 1999
- UPW s Rodrigues stands trial Tuesday. The state
director is charged with violating the rights of union
members.
July 7, 1999
- UPW's Rodrigues facing a union trial. Charged with
repeatedly violating rights of members. June
21, 1999
- Rodrigues under investigation. Feds probe union
chief's finances, including dealings with failed health
insurer.
June
18, 1999
- Union newsletter attacks members who want costs
investigated. Three UPW leaders take heat for seeking a
detailed accounting of spending by director Gary
Rodrigues. April
28, 1999
- UPW settles discrimination lawsuit By Ian Lind
Star-Bulletin The Union agreed this week to pay $48,750
to settle a discrimination lawsuit brought by the U.S.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. April
2, 1999
- Union paper names petitioners critical of
leadership. Publication singles out UPW members concerned
about use of funds and other issues. March
30, 1999
- UPW trial set on violation of federal law. Union
is accused of ignoring requests for sign-language
interpreters at its meetings. EEOC charges retaliation.
March
19, 1999
- UPW chief spied on top staffer, say court filings.
Rodrigues' target, who was fired last year, claims that
it was retaliation. March
17, 1999
- UPW leaders ask for Rodrigues probe. Three leaders
ask their international union to examine fund-mishandling
allegations against the state director. March
12, 1999
- UPW members want to know about alleged illegal use
of funds by Gary Rodrigues. Executive board meets
tonight. January
14, 1999
- Rodrigues in conflict of interest? The UPW head
sat on a judicial panel screening a candidate suing his
union. January
13, 1999
- Union officials traveled to work on Oregon home
owned by state director. January
11, 1999
- Rodrigues firm linked to union's building
construction. The UPW leader has ties to a company that
supplied the logs used in building union offices on
neighbor islands. Oct
20, 1998
- Two higest-paid female staffers had personal
affairs with public worker union boss. A petition asks
about a complaint filed by his former administrative
assistant. Oct
9, 1998
- Company owned by UPW director's daughter
subpoenaed in probe of insurer's collapse. Insurance
Commissioner seeks records of payments. Jan
14, 1998
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