Union tells its side of scandal TEAMSTERS LEADERS: NO `GIFT' FROM GONZALES

[Omaha Steve]

Full story: http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/special_packages/norcal/14985595.htm?source=syn

By Deborah Lohse
Mercury News

Saying they feel unfairly maligned by news accounts of San Jose's trash-hauling scandal, leaders of a local Teamsters union Thursday denied receiving any ``gift'' from indicted Mayor Ron Gonzales when they successfully fought for higher wages for more than 50 recycling workers several years ago.


Robert Morales, secretary/treasurer of Local 350, speaks during a Thursday press conference at the Teamsters' office in San Jose.
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* Special Report: The Norcal scandal

Gonzales and trash company Norcal Waste Systems were indicted June 21 on felony charges of bribery, conspiracy and misuse of public funds. The Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office charged that Gonzales secretly helped Norcal get an extra $11.25 million in city funds to cover higher, Teamster-level wages for certain workers who would have been paid less under Norcal's original bid.

Thursday, however, Teamsters Local 350 Secretary-Treasurer Bob Morales said Norcal was operating on a faulty assumption in 2000 when it made its original bid -- and the mayor's actions simply set things right.