2026 EAM 24 (re: 2026 ESD 117)

ELECTION APPEALS MASTER

FOR THE INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS

2026 EAM 24
ISSUED: November 2, 2026
APPEAL OF ELECTION SUPERVISOR PROTEST 2026 ESD 117
OES CASE Nos. P-088-022326; P-093-022526; P-117-031026; P-146-041926

Protest Decision 2026 ESD 117 (“ESD 117”) was issued on August 3, 2026 (OES Case Nos. P-088-022326; P-093-022526; P-117-031026; P-146-041926) by the Office of the Election Supervisor (“Election Supervisor” or “OES”).  ESD 117 addresses protests filed by Rober Mejia and Christopher Garlick, candidates in Local 431’s delegate election who ran on the Solidarity Slate, and Mark White, a supporter of the Solidarity Slate.  The Election Supervisor determined in ESD 117 that each of the protestors were improperly retaliated against by Local 431’s officers in violation of the Rules for the 2025–2026 IBT International Union Delegate and Officer Election (the “Rules”).

On August 3, 2026, an appeal was filed by Jared Frankian, another candidate on the Solidarity Slate, claiming that ESD 117 did not address additional retaliation claims submitted by other members of Local 431.[1]  By Notice of Hearing, the Election Appeals Master scheduled a hearing for August 19, 2026.  Prior to the hearing, both the OES and Mr. Frankian filed pre-hearing submissions in support of their respective positions.  Mr. Frankian also submitted additional materials and evidence in support of his claims.  A hearing by video conference was held on August 19, 2026.  The following individuals attended the hearing:  Greg Friedholm, on behalf of the OES; Robert Bonsall, counsel for Local 431; Justin Scott, President of Local 431; and Jared Frankian and Christopher Garlick, on behalf of the Solidarity Slate.

Determination

            In ESD 117, the Election Supervisor determined that Local 431 President Justin Scott and other members of the local’s executive board had improperly terminated each protestor from their position as a shop steward for exercising protected political rights.  As a remedy, Mr. Scott was ordered to reinstate each protestor to their former position and to cease and desist from retaliating against members for participating in the election process.  Mr. Frankian appealed the decision, arguing that other members of Local 431 had filed similar protests alleging retaliation in connection with this matter, but that no determination had been made on those protests.  On appeal, Mr. Frankian seeks a similar finding that these members were also subjected to retaliation.

            After reviewing its records, the Election Supervisor determined that the other members identified by Mr. Frankian had not submitted formal protests.  The Rules require members to submit a clear and concise written statement of the alleged improper conduct so that the Election Supervisor can investigate and issue a protest decision.  See Article XIII, Section 2(d). Mejia, White, and Garlick submitted such statements and, in the protests, checked a box indicating that other members were also affected.  Although the Election Supervisor interviewed those other members during its investigation, they had not filed protests on which it could issue a decision. 

The formal protest requirement ensures that each member asserts their own claim of misconduct so that it can be properly investigated and decided.  Accordingly, because the other members did not file formal protests, the appeal is DENIED.

SO ORDERED:

Hon. Barbara S. Jones (Ret.)

Election Appeals Master

DATED: November 2, 2026

DISTRIBUTION LIST (VIA EMAIL):

Robert Mejia

mejiarb@aol.com

Mark White

Chevyguy10@sbcglobal.net

Christopher Garlick

christopherjgarlick@gmail.com

Jared Frankian

jjfrankian@yahoo.com

Justin Scott

Justin@teamster431.org

Gilbert Prieto

Gilbert@teamster431.org

Jeno Espinoza

espinoza1559@hotmail.com

Richard Hooker

hookabrasi@gmail.com

John Palmer

Jpalmer8734@gmail.com 

Edward M. Gleason, Jr.,

ed@hsglawgroup.com

James L. Donovan Jr.

jdonovan.ne@gmail.com

David Suetholz

DSuetholz@teamster.org

Will Bloom

wbloom@dsgchicago.com

Ken Paff

ken@tdu.org

Hon. Timothy S. Hillman (Ret.)

thillman@ibtvote.org

Paul Dever

pdever@ibtvote.org

Charles Deming

cdeming77@yahoo.com

Greg Friedholm

greg@friedholmlaw.com

Kelly Hogan

kelly.hogan@nelsonmullins.com