Muni union prez booted, accused of racially derogatory language

The executive board of the San Francisco branch of the Transport Workers Union last week unanimously voted to remove its president, Roger Marenco, from office, and ban him for three years. 

While the official reason given in a Dec. 8 letter to union members was opaque, multiple sources said that Marenco was accused of using racially derogatory language toward his fellow executive board members — and doing so in writing. 

“A complaint was filed by a member of TWU Local 250A against President Roger Marenco. The Executive Board investigated the charges, evidence was uncovered, and a trial was held on December 7th, 2022,” reads the letter sent to union members the next day. 

“During the trial, evidence was presented, witnesses spoke and Roger Marenco was allowed to defend himself and cross examine witnesses. … the Executive Board unanimously voted to take appropriate action and removed Roger Marenco as the President of TWU Local 250A and suspend Roger Marenco for three years. Roger Marenco will not be allowed to run for office in 2022.” 

The professed reason given for this action was Marenco’s alleged violation of the union’s constitution, article XIX — and, specifically “enumerated acts” f, g, j and n. 

Specifically, those acts include “Willfully wronging a member of the International Union,” “Using abusive language or disturbing the peace or harmony of any meeting in or around any office or meeting place of the International Union or Local Union,” “Using the name of the Local Union or of the International Union, or its emblem, for any unauthorized purpose” and “By act, omission or conduct prejudicing or damaging the interests and welfare of the International Union.”

“His actions were unbecoming of an officer,” concludes the Dec. 8 letter. 

Marenco denied the charge that he’d written a note with derogatory language on it. He claimed the action undertaken by his executive board was illegal, that it was improper to forbid him from running for president, and that the number of votes necessary to oust him had not been reached. He pledged to appeal the decision to the international parent union.

Marenco was elected in 2018, in a lopsided vote, when he was 35. A city lifer and Mission High School graduate, Marenco said his top priority was bringing “dignity” to the city’s unionized transit workers. 

TWU members are voting on their president and other executive board members today. Marenco’s successor and fellow union officers will be installed next month.