Fwd: Richardson List

From: "Mike Mathis" <mike@mmathisgroup.com>
Date: February 16, 2011 7:10:52 PM EST
To: "'Eric Schwerin'" <eschwerin@rosemontseneca.com>, "'Chuck Harple'" <charple@att.blackberry.net>
Subject: RE: Richardson List

Eric, here is our immediate feedback, we may have more for you tomorrow before his 10:30 mtg.  As you’ll see, some of the info below is potentially problematic (especially IBT info) if it gets out that it came from us, hence the emails about confidentiality.  We trust you to use it wisely though.

Finally, with the exception of the UFT and NEA we have very good relationships with the Presidents of these unions and are happy to help with either pre-emptive calls or as a follow-up afterwards.     

·        Building & Construction Trades (AFL/CIO) -- Mark H. Ayers

o   Ayers is going to want to know how the group will be handling the construction, retro-fitting, etc (will they commit to doing the work union?).  We think it would be good to give the BCT Secretary-Treasurer Sean McGarvey (the #2 person) a heads- up before Richardson and Ayers meet to help set the table a bit if that’s okay.  And as Chuck mentioned, Mike Monroe is Ayers’ Chief of Staff and was Hillary’s Labor person on her Presidential campaign and not happy with Richardson’s handling of the Obama endorsement, so an advance warning to McGarvey can help us make sure there will be no surprises (McGarvey will keep Monroe under control).

·        International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) -- Robert W. Pierson

o   Not sure why Richardson has Pierson as his point of contact; he is the Chairman of the union’s Executive Committee (he’s out of Chicago) but the top two officers are Ed Hill (General President) and Lindell Lee (Secretary- Treasurer).  I would think that Richardson should ask for a mtg with Hill first unless there is history that we don’t know about.  Hill is a big dog in the AFL-CIO (the IBEW holds the mortgage on the AFL-CIO’s HQ and saved their butt a couple of years ago when the AFL-CIO had money troubles) and was the king-maker for Trumka’s run to President.    

·        United Brotherhood of Carpenters -- Douglas J. McCarron

o   McCarron is the great unknown in the Labor movement and a wildcard.  Doesn’t belong to Building Trades or AFL-CIO but may ask similar questions as Ayers about building union or non-union, etc.  Has a ton of cash (at least that’s the rumor)!

·        United Steelworkers (USW) -- Leo W. Gerard

o   Leo’s biggest ongoing issue and concern is trade and loss of American jobs.  We assume that since Richardson put this list together he has an existing relationship with Gerard but we know that Leo was angry with Richardson (and other Cabinet officials) in the past for support of Clinton – backed trade deals (sorry Eric).

·        International Union of Painters & Allied Trades (IUPAT) -- James A. Williams

o   See Mark Ayers notes.  Plus, the Painters have invested aggressively in Real Estate in the past.

·        United Federation of Teachers (UFT) -- Michael Mulgrew

o   We have no relationship with UFT (New York City Teachers union) but Richardson is historically well thought of in public sector unions.

·        National Education Association -- Dennis Van Roekel

o   See UFT notes.

·        American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) -- Gerald W. McEntee

o   McEntee is leading the fight for public sector unions against the attacks by Republican and some Dem (Cuomo and Jerry Brown) Governors and state legislators.  He is both hated and respected by other union Presidents (and within his own union) but he controls a huge treasury and as with other important public sector unions on this list (Teachers, Firefighters) AFSCME has a seat on most state public pension funds.

·        Service Employees International Union (SEIU) -- Mary Kay Henry

o   New President, trying to make her mark in the shadow of Andy Stern.  I (Mike) worked with her in December to negotiate a contract with one of their Pennsylvania employers (Express Scripts) and saved 700 jobs, so if it would help, I’m happy to make a call to her in advance of or after a Richardson mtg (I think she feels like she owes me… it’s a long story).  She is very progressive politically but I don’t know much about her investment strategy other than to note that SEIU, Teachers and a few other public employee unions are negotiating to support a Building Trades – backed (ULLICO) infrastructure fund in an attempt to get the Trades to support their fights on state budgets. 

·        Communications Workers of America (CWA) -- Larry Cohen

o   As with Gerard, trade matters to Larry (they share policy and legislative advisors) and the merger of CWA with UAW only heightened that focus.  Larry is one of the rising stars in Labor and has forged good relationships with Hoffa, Joe Hansen (UFCW), Mary Kay Henry, and Bob King (UAW, and who now controls the huge VEBA fund that arose from the auto bailout).  Could be a great advocate for Richardson if he buys in.

·        International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) -- Jimmy Hoffa, Jr.

o   Personal notes – does not like to be called Jimmy (prefers Jim) and is uncomfortable talking about his father (another long story).  But Hoffa likes meeting w/ famous people so I know he will be interested in seeing Richardson and will offer to help… however, follow-up is a different story.

o   Hoffa still has the power to influence investment strategy for IBT funds but not as much as in years past.  Due to some questionable investment decisions (can explain via phone), the IBT General Treasury and the “Family Plan” (Headquarters staff and National Officers’) pension fund have dropped significantly over the past 3 years or so and the IBT has cut staff and frozen pay.  Hoffa is up for election this year (Nominating Convention in July, ballots mailed in November, counted in December) and has a real fight on his hands with a potential for a 3-way race.  Every decision is viewed through the prism of the election so I don’t know how focused he will be on a mtg at this time.  In years past, he could have called the trustees of other Teamster funds and urged them to make investments but his influence, especially in light of the highly publicized poor performance of the IBT-controlled funds, makes that less likely now.  His standing with other General Presidents has diminished as well (one more long story) so I wouldn’t expect much help there.

·        International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) -- Harold Schaitberger

o   See other public employees notes.  Also, we are very close with Harold and his key advisors, especially Kevin O’Connor (who Arlene has already met with and who is hosting a dinner for us with several IAFF fund trustees on March 14^th)…. We are trying to get the latest info on their perception of Richardson and will get it to you asap.  However, if it’s appropriate, w e can help make sure Harold is in the right frame of mind before a Richardson meeting by briefing the advisors in advance.  Obviously your call, but an available option.

 

 

From: Eric Schwerin [mailto:eschwerin@rosemontseneca.com]
Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2011 2:37 PM
To: Chuck Harple; Mike Mathis
Subject: Richardson List

 

Richardson List

 

Unions
Buildin & Construction Trades (AFL/CIO)
Mark H. Ayers
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)
Robert W. Pierson
United Brotherhood of Carpenters
Douglas J. McCarron
United Steelworkers (USW)
Leo W. Gerard
International Union of Painters & Allied Trades (IUPAT)
James A. Williams
United Federation of Teachers (UFT)
Michael Mulgrew
National Education Association
Dennis Van Roekel
American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
Gerald W. McEntee
Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
Mary Kay Henry
Communications Workers of America (CWA)
Larry Cohen
International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT)
Jimmy Hoffa, Jr.
International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF)

 

Eric D. Schwerin

Rosemont Seneca Partners, LLC

1010 Wisconsin Ave., NW

Suite 705

Washington, DC 20007

(202) 333-1880

eschwerin@rosemontseneca.com

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