RETIRED GLR SANDY GARDNER ENDORSES IAN; EXPLAINS HOW DORA LOOKED THE OTHER WAY IN DUES THEFT SCANDAL

I, Sandy Gardner, recently retired as an IAMAW Grand Lodge Representative working in the Transportation Department. I am writing this letter of endorsement for Sister Ian Anderman. She is running against Dora Cervantes for Grand Lodge General Secretary-Treasurer.
In my opinion, Dora is not fit to be GST for the following reasons. These are but a few among many others.

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I, along with another Grand Lodge Representative, was assigned to conduct an investigation at Local Lodge 2198 in November of 2017. The subject of the investigation was concerning irregularities with Members’ dues reporting in Local Lodge 2198. It is important to note that the President of Local Lodge 2198 at that time was Norma Ramirez, sister of Dora Cervantes.

In January of 2018, an Auditor of the Grand Lodge reporting directly to GST Dora Cervantes, filed a grievance against me and the other Grand Lodge Representative for conducting this investigation.  This investigation was not public knowledge, which means the Auditor who filed this grievance had to receive information from someone in the GST Office.  It is important to note the grievance filed had no merit and was eventually denied.

During this investigation there were many grave concerns that jumped out while we were looking at monthly reports which included, but are not limited to: Overpayment of salary to Officers of the Local Lodge, Abuse of Lost Time, Abuse of Meal Expenses, etc.  What is overly concerning is how long the GST’s Office sat on this information before any action was taken. I do not have any knowledge of why there was such a delay, but it has been my experience that these types of “theft” are dealt with immediately. That was not the case in this instance.  This in and of itself is genuinely concerning, considering Norma, the President at the time of LL 2198 is Dora’s sister. After an Auditor was finally sent in to conduct a thorough audit, it was determined that the amount of “theft” at this Local was well in excess of $100,000.00.

I do not believe it is fair nor appropriate to hold Dora accountable for the actions of her sister or the other previous Officers of LL 2198. I do believe it is fair and appropriate to hold her accountable for her own actions, or in this case, her inaction to protect the Members’ dues money. This is exactly why we have elections. Elections give the Members’ the ability to hold all Officers accountable. If an Officer fails to execute the duties of their office, the Members can and should hold them accountable by electing someone else who will fulfill the duties.

IAMAW Members deserve better representation than what we currently have in Dora Cervantes as the GST.  Dues money is our hard-earned money that we pay to this Organization to have our back, and the Representation we deserve is someone who will have our best interests in mind. In this case, that person is Ian Anderman.

Please join me in April to vote and elect Ian Anderman for General Secretary Treasurer.

Sandy Gardner

Local Lodge 1886

​Retired Grand Lodge Representative

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