HARDISON EXONERATED BY JOINT COUNCIL 42

In a unanamous decision that included two IBT Vice Presidents, Joint Council 42 dismissed four charges filed by John Phillipenas against Local 631 President Kevin Hardison for allegedly stealing gasoline. In the sharply worded decision the Joint Council concluded that Phillipenas failed to produce "any evidence" and criticised Phillipenas for using a fundamentally "flawed system" and "not testifying convincingly". The Joint Council found the attempt by Phillipenas to remove Hardison as the elected President of Local 631 without due process "inappropriate" and called the changing of the Executive Board minutes by Phillipenas to cover up the removal of Hardison as President a "separate and serious matter". The long awaited decision completely vindicates Hardison who was fired as a Business Agent and charged by Phillipenas after repeatedly clashing with Phillipenas about the management and direction of Local 631. The decision is the latest setback for Phillipenas who was suspended by Joint Council 42 last week on charges filed against him by Hardison, severely rebuked by General President Hoffa for his mismanagement of Local 631 and threatened with the immediate imposition of  a Trusteeship.