December 1998

Recently the United States went to war with Iraq and everyone took notice. Most expressing concern for the soldiers, all expressing concern for the children.

Over 20 years ago LIUNA went to war with their Rank - and - File members and no one bothered to take notice. Most expressing "it's a labour dispute", none expressing concern for the children of those Rank - and - File members.

I am the child of a LIUNA Rank - and -File member who has devoted his life to battling the war of corruption in LIUNA. Let me a sure you this war is not just " a labour dispute" and someone needs to be concerned for the children, believe me I am talking from experience.

When most people are looking back on the past 20 years and remembering all the wonderful moments and memories of being a child I am remembering too, but my memories aren't all so wonderful, thanks to LIUNA Officials.

I'll never forget my first school picture day. One of my Kindergarten classmates Paul, is the nephew of a LIUNA Official. Moments before my picture was taken, Paul banged my face against the water fountain as I began to drink from it. As Paul did so he told me my father was a troublemaker with a big mouth.

When I was 4 years old my family was forced to leave the only home I had known since birth, all because a LIUNA Official was retaliating against my father for being proud to stand for what he believes in... Honor, Justice and Strength.

When I was 7 years old I was playing "hopscotch" in my driveway, when my neighbours window was shot out. When the police arrived I heard the police officer tell my father that if he didn't get out of LIUNA he was going to get us all killed. Not long after this incident one of the LIUNA Official's relatives took it upon himself to call my house and when I answered" he told me that if my daddy wanted to be able to walk he'd better learn to keep his mouth shut."

After that every time my father went out to a union meeting I would sit at my bedroom window, in terror and wait for him to come home. When I was 9 years old my father didn't come home from the LIUNA meeting and the next time I saw him he was on crutches, with bruises and bandages all over his body including his head and what I remember most is that he couldn't walk very well even with the crutches.

Not long after that I was getting on my school bus outside my elementary school when yet another LIUNA official attempted to abduct me, thankfully my father was there to intervene.

When I was 13 years old my father was unable to attend my Grade 8 graduation because my father was out of town trying to put an end to the war and the suffering LIUNA was causing my family.

When I was 14 years old I was beaten by one of my fellow classmates, who just so happened to be the niece of a LIUNA Official.

When I was 16 years old I began dating a boy by the name of Rocco, who is the son of a LIUNA member. One day I was at Rocco's house when his father arrived home from work. Rocco's father told me that even though he thought my father was doing the honorable thing by battling for the corruption to stop in LIUNA, Rocco's father did not want his children associating with me because he thought that his children would be in danger if they were with me. Rocco's father even offered to buy him a new stereo system as a reward if he would stay away from me. Rocco got his new stereo system.

When I was 24 years old I was subjected to death threats uttered by LIUNA Officials.

Now at the age of 25, people tell me that I am "my father's daughter" and I am proud to wear such a title because my father has sacrificed everything including his own safety to battle the war of corruption in LIUNA.

Now as my father grows older I have joined him in that war. Some people insist that my persistence in fighting this long time battle is based on vengeance but those people are wrong. I am persistent in my fight for justice in LIUNA because I am concerned for the children.

I wish that Robert Luskin, Douglas Gow, Peter Varia and both the Canadian and United States Justice Department would share my concern for the children in this war but it's become apparent they don't.

I urge each and every citizen in North America to join the battle for Justice and have concern for the children, who are the real victims of the LIUNA war.