Dionisio faces charges

Internal charges have been laid against usurped Local 183 leader Tony Dionisio and six of his executive in connection with $5 million which parent union, Labourer’s International Union of North America, says was “illegally segregated.”

Labour

Seven former Loc. 183 executives charged with ‘illegally’ segregating $5M

TORONTO

Internal charges have been laid against usurped Local 183 leader Tony Dionisio and six of his executive in connection with $5 million which parent union, Labourer’s International Union of North America, says was “illegally segregated.”

LIUNA vice-president and regional manager for Canada, Joseph Mancinelli, confirmed the charges in an interview with Daily Commercial News, adding investigations continue on other matters.

“It really is the last hurrah.”

Joseph Mancinelli

LIUNA

In addition to Dionisio, also charged internally by LIUNA: John Colacci, John Dias, John Cordeiro, Antonio Pinto, Keith Cooper and Rocco Di Giovanni.

The funds were held for an undisclosed amount of time in lawyer Brian Shell’s trust account, but returned last Wednesday, said Shell. “I discussed it with my clients, and we decided the best thing to do was return the money,” he said.

The penalties could result in Dionisio and his executive being suspended or expelled indefinitely from LIUNA.

Union officials have the authority to lay internal charges against any member who acts ‘contrary’ to union rules.

“They would not be able to participate in activities or trespass on union property,” said Mancinelli.

It’s also an answer to Shell’s oft repeated argument that despite allegations of wrongdoing at Local 183, which resulted in the imposition of a trusteeship, no individual had been charged in connection with the incidents cited, some of which are more than two years old.

“Under the LIUNA rules, the Local has less rights than if they proceeded against individuals,” said Shell.

Mancinelli said investigations into the discovery of sophisticated, high tech spy cameras hidden in the ceiling of the Local 183 offices are still ongoing, as are other allegations which have surfaced since the trusteeship was upheld by the Ontario Labour Relations Board June 12.

He said beyond internal disciplinary proceedings against individuals, civil litigation remains a possibility, and said if more serious matters were uncovered, they would be referred for criminal prosecution.