Mr. Alex Corns
Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer
Laborers' International Union of North America

Hod Carriers Local 36
6229 A Mission Street
Daly City, CA 94014

Dear Mr. Corns:

This will acknowledge receipt of your facsimile dated January 28, 2000, requesting this office to initiate an investigation of all LIUNA General Executive Board (GEB) members who voted to approve the former General President's compensation package and Emeritus position. Your letter substantially misstates the action of the GEB, which voted only to pay Mr. Coia the difference between his pension and his current salary, and not, as you suggest, a salary of $250,000 per year. It is our understanding that the payment will amount to less than one­third of the total salary.

I have discussed your letter with the General Executive Board Attorney, Robert D. Luskin, and based upon the facts surrounding the GEB members' actions in this instance, it is our opinion that they acted within the scope of their authority and the LIUNA Constitution in voting these concessions. The Board acted with the full knowledge and consent of the Government and did not go beyond the parameters of the plea agreement the Government negotiated with the former General President.

While there is no specific Constitutional provision which provides for the emeritus position, the Board draws its authority for such action from Article VIII, Section 2(h), of the International Union Constitution and has awarded a similar status and compensation in the past, most recently to the late Secretary/Treasurer, R. P. Vinall. It should be noted this position is honorary in nature and does not confer any powers to the recipient.

Sincerely yours,

W. Douglas Gow
Inspector General

cc: Robert D. Luskin, Esq.
General Executive Board Attorney