Overview
- The U.S. Department of Justice and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters jointly filed a motion on Wednesday asking Judge Loretta Preska to terminate the consent decree that has placed the union under federal monitoring since 1989.
- An independent review by Hon. Barbara Jones (ret.) earlier this year found the union has developed the tools, processes and procedures to detect, investigate and resolve major corruption.
- The joint filing envisions a three-year elimination of the independent monitor unless the monitor persuades the court otherwise and requires the union to retain a permanent independent compliance professional appointed to its board.
- The consent decree grew from a 1988 civil racketeering suit that alleged mafia control of the Teamsters and led to reforms such as direct-member elections and a review board that has barred about 400 people from membership.
- If the court approves the motion the change could shift day-to-day oversight back to the union for its 1.3–1.4 million members, including more than 300,000 UPS drivers, while leaving the judge and monitor the authority to reopen oversight if serious problems recur.