Stories on this page:
- DHL Retreats From U.S. Market
- OHFL Picketline Strong
- International Attention
- OHFL Halloween Update
- Carhaul Pact
- OHFL Teamsters Bridge Gap
- OHFL ULP Strike on Radio
- OHFL ULP Strike Update
- OHFL Misleads Customers
- Picketers Need Firewood
- Handbilling for Oak Harbor ULP Strike
- Oak Harbor Strike Update
- Seattle Times Tentative Agreement
- Teamsters Strike At Oak Harbor
- Labor Day Picnicking
- New Leader at Local 117
DHL RETREATS FROM U.S. MARKET
DHL NEWS HAS BEEN BREAKING QUICKLY AND THE DEVELOPMENTS ARE NOT POSITIVE AS THE FOLLOWING COMMENTS FROM LOCAL 174 CLEARLY INDICATE
 This picture appears on the IBT Express Division page on the International’s official Website. |
(November 11, 2008) DHL announced early Monday morning, November 10, 2008, that effective immediately, they will reduce service in the United States Market to the extent that by the end of January 2009, the Company will be servicing only International shipments. This news devastates an already emotionally battered workforce who have seen their ranks shrink from 258 drivers in August, to currently 148 drivers. It is expected Monday’s news will reduce the current workforce by about another 100 drivers. It is expected that by the end of January, the Seattle Cluster will be reduced to one station, something we haven’t seen since the mid-1980’s. Part-time employees working the ramp at Boeing field are, for the most part, unaffected by the proposed cuts in service.
IBT Express Division Western Chairman Chris Griswold has informed Local 174 that discussions will begin later this week with DHL concerning Effects Bargaining. Local 174 and Local 162 in Portland had already made a demand to the Company to bargain over the effects of the layoffs that started the end of August. We will be interested to see what direction the discussions take with the International.
Locally, Local 174 Senior Business Agent Tim Allen has been in contact with the King County Labor Council’s Worker’s Center and the Rapid Response Team. This agency, sponsored by the AFL-CIO, coordinates with several State Agencies to assist displaced workers in the Greater Seattle area. These Agencies include the Washington State Employment Security Department, King County Community and Technical Colleges, WorkSource-Seattle-King County, and the King County Reemployment Support Center.
In an attempt to facilitate timely retraining, as well as educational and new job opportunities for displaced members at DHL, Tim is exploring the possibility of utilizing some of the resources at the Teamster Building as we coordinate with the above Agencies. We will keep you informed as to the progress of those projects.
We have received numerous calls concerning other job opportunities. In the short term, things are going to continue to be difficult for displaced DHL workers. Thanks to a weak economy, hiring has come to almost a complete standstill. Tim has been in touch with other Local Unions in Joint Council 28 in an attempt to tap into any openings they may have in their jurisdictions. Unfortunately the job market is tight throughout the State, which is why we are exploring some innovative ideas with the Worker’s Center. One Company currently hiring drivers and warehouse workers is Columbia Distributing in Kent. To apply go http://www.columbia-dist.com/Careers.aspx and follow the online instructions.
OHFL PICKETLINE STRONG
TOMORROW, NOVEMBER 11, WILL BE VETERANS DAY AND OAK HARBOR FREIGHT LINES UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE STRIKE PICKETERS WILL SPEND IT ON THE LINE
 Local 174 OHFL picketers in Auburn, Washington are shown recently during picket duty. The Oak Harbor Freight Lines Unfair Labor Practice Strike continues. |
PRESS RELEASE: TEAMSTERS REMAIN VIGILANT AGAINST OAK HARBOR FREIGHT LINES
Oak Harbor Freight’s owners, the Van der Pol family, continue to bargain in bad faith on our labor contract. And, now it’s been over two months since we were forced to walk off the job at Oak Harbor Freight Lines due to the company’s unfair labor practices. Most recently we met with Oak Harbor’s owners on Friday, November 7 where we had several proposals to present to them. However, they rejected most of them, yet they didn’t offer up any counter proposals.
Al Hobart— the Company still won’t budge.Stall tactics such as these have been the pattern with Oak Harbor Freight since the beginning of negotiations. We started bargaining for our contract in October 2007 and so far we’ve met with them on 24 separate occasions. But still, the company won’t budge - all this while their business suffers and our members suffer.
But, a business suffering cannot compare to the suffering someone with a chronic disease has to weather when they are denied insurance coverage. And, zero health care is exactly what Oak Harbor Freight had proposed for the hundreds of Teamster retirees from Oak Harbor. The very workers who made the company strong are being treated shabbily by a company that has reaped profits due to their hard work.
The National Labor Relations Board is pursing investigations into several labor law violations committed by the Oak Harbor Freight including coercing and threatening employees, as well as making unlawful changes to working conditions. We look forward to the NLRB’s decisions.
INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION
THE WORLD KNOWS ABOUT THE OAK HARBOR FREIGHT LINES UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE STRIKE THANKS TO JEFF THE TRUCKER
 Local 174 OHFL veteran Jeff Wallace, shown here with picketline friends in Auburn, Washington, was featured in a story by the famed blogger Peter Dreier recently. The story appeared, among other notable places, on the Huffington Post Website. Quckly, the unfair labor practices of the Oak Harbor Company are becoming known all across the globe via the Internet. |
(November 5, 2008) Local 174 member and Oak Harbor Freight Lines veteran employee Jeff Wallace was featured in a recent story by famed blogger Peter Dreier. Quckly, the unfair labor practices of the Oak Harbor Company are becoming known all across the globe via the Internet.
In part, Dreier writes in the October 31, 2008 column, which is entitled “Truck the Gap: Jeff the Trucker is a better Symbol of America’s Workers”:
“Forget Joe the Plumber. One of America's real working class heroes is Jeff the truck driver.
“Jeff Wallace, 43, has been on the picket lines for six weeks. He's fighting for good healthcare for his kids and to make sure he has something to walk away with when he retires from his grueling job for Oak Harbor Freight Lines in Seattle, where he's worked for about 14 years.
“This week Jeff was hit on the picket line by a replacement worker in a pick-up truck who then drove away. Jeff went to the hospital but said he's still not giving up. He'll stay out on the line as long as it takes.
“Jeff is one of 600 drivers, warehouse and office workers for Oak Harbor, which transports merchandise for many retailers, including The GAP, on the west coast. They walked off the job on September 22 to protest on-the-job abuses and the company's proposal to cancel the health care coverage of retired employees. The workers, members of the Teamsters union, complained that the company bullied and intimidated union members during contentious contract talks that began over a year ago.”
READ THE STORY ABOUT JEFF
You can read Dreier’s complete story about Jeff on the Huffington Post Website by accessing the following link:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/peter-dreier/truck-the-gap_b_139862.html
 Writer Peter Dreier’s Background Peter Dreier is a Professor of Politics, and Director of the Urban & Environmental Policy Program, at Occidental College in Los Angeles. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago (1977) and his B.A. from Syracuse University (1970). He teaches Intro to American Politics, Urban Politics and Policy, Community Organizing and Leadership, Movements for Social Justice, and Work & Labor in America. For three decades he has been involved in urban policy as a scholar, a government official, a journalist, and an advocate for reform. Professor Dreier has written widely on American politics and public policy, specializing in urban politics and policy, housing policy, community development, and community organizing. He is a frequent speaker on this topics to a wide variety of professional, scholarly, and civic organizations. Dreier writes frequently for the Los Angeles Times, the Nation, and American Prospect. His articles have also been published in the New York Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe, Newsday, Chicago Tribune, Philadelphia Inquirer, New Republic, Washington Monthly, Progressive, and elsewhere. He has worked closely with a wide range of community organizations, labor unions, and public interest organizations, and has worked as a consultant for a variety of foundations and government agencies, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), VISTA, the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the MacArthur Foundation, the Boston Foundation, the California AFL-CIO, the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, ACORN, the Industrial Areas Foundation, the Rockefeller Foundation, and others. |
OHFL HALLOWEEN UPDATE
THE UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE STRIKE AGAINST OAK HARBOR FREIGHT LINES CONTINUES AS THE HOLIDAY SEASON APPROACHES
 Halloween has arrived. Picketing of Oak Harbor Freight Lines in Auburn, Washington continues. Morale of the Teamsters in the Unfair Labor Practice Strike remains high. |
(October 31, 2008) Morale remains high on the picketline in Auburn, Washington, as the Unfair Labor Strike against Oak Harbor Freight Lines continues. The weather is getting colder as the Holiday Season approaches and the Company refuses to budge.
Oak Harbor Freight Lines workers in Oregon, Washington and Idaho were forced to strike on September 22 in protest of the freight company’s violations of U.S. labor laws, as well as hostile efforts by the company to intimidate workers. A day later, Oak Harbor took the outrageous step of cutting off health care benefits to its workers and retirees. Instead of negotiating with striking workers in good faith, Oak Harbor has imported teams of professional strikebreakers to coerce and scare loyal longtime employees.
For up-to-date background information and videotapes on the situation, you can access the IBT’s special website via these links:
• http://www.oakharborteamsters.com/
• http://www.oakharborteamsters.com/mediagallery.htm
Pumpkin carving artistry from the picketline  |
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On October 21st, Teamsters rappelled down the side of a building adjacent to The Gap’s headquarters in San Francisco to bring attention to the company’s support of union-busting freight firm Oak Harbor Freight Lines. Oak Harbor Freight Lines, the company that transports Gap merchandise on the West Coast, recently cut health care benefits for its workers and retirees.
Below is yesterday’s IBT press release to bring Teamsters up to date on that Gap scenario, which now has spread across the U.S.
IBT NEWS RELEASE
Teamsters, Students And Labor Activists Protest Gap's "Vote For Love” Tour; Singer Matt White Asked To Support Oak Harbor WorkersMinneapolis, Minnesota — Teamsters, United Students Against Sweatshops and Jobs with Justice are informing the public about Gap’s support of labor abuses by passing out fliers at singer Matt White’s “Vote for Love” concerts. The concert series, sponsored by Gap, started in Minneapolis last night and has become a focus of labor rights activists.
More than 600 workers at Auburn, Washington-based Oak Harbor Freight Lines, the company that delivers Gap merchandise, were forced to go on strike on Sept. 22 in response to violations of federal labor laws that protect workers’ rights. The company then unilaterally stopped paying for health care benefits for current workers and retirees.
“It is ironic that Gap would sponsor a ‘Vote for Love’ tour, but is unwilling to show any love toward these American workers, including many whom are grandparents now without health care,” said Rod Palmquist, National Organizer for United Students Against Sweatshops (USAS). “Unlike the Gap, other Oak Harbor retailer customers such as REI and Urban Outfitters have dropped the company in support of these workers.”
White wrote “Songs of Freedom” for Gap’s “Vote For Love.” campaign, a song about the individuals who stood throughout history provoking thoughts and questions about established norms. “White’s song is a contradiction of what Gap is doing with Oak Harbor,” said Jenn Doe, organizer at Boston Jobs with Justice. “Workers are singing songs of abuse and exploitation while Gap sings all the way to the bank.”
In addition to the loss of health care coverage for retirees, Oak Harbor wants to cut paid sick leave for employees, reduce pension benefits and prohibit union representatives from talking to workers at the workplace. The freight company also has created a special “Gap” rule that would deny overtime pay for weekend work on Gap business.
The Teamsters, USAS and Jobs with Justice plan on continuing to take their message to the remaining cities of White’s “Vote for Love” tour.“We will continue to take our message to the Gap until it stops supporting Oak Harbor’s abuses. Oak Harbor should be willing to negotiate with our workers in good faith and allow for a dignified retirement,” said Tyson Johnson, Teamsters International Vice President and Freight Division Director.
CARHAUL PACT
TEAMSTER CARHAULERS HAVE APPROVED A NEW CONTRACT; SENIOR BUSINESS AGENT TOM MANN REVIEWS THE IMPACT ON AFFECTED MEMBERS IN LOCAL 174
 Tom Mann explaining some of the complexities of the then Tentative Agreement |
(October 25, 2008) Teamster Carhaulers have ratified a new three-year National Agreement. Their new contract secures record levels of benefit contributions. The IBT, in a news release sent out yesterday from the Teamsters’ Washington, D.C. Headquarters, summarized matters. It said:
“Facing the worst slump in the automotive industry in decades, Teamster carhaulers have ratified a new national agreement that secures a record level of employer contributions for health, welfare and pension benefits. The agreement was overwhelmingly ratified by a 75 to 25 percent margin.
" ‘This agreement addressed our members' priority of maintaining top-notch Teamster health, welfare and pension benefits, with no additional costs to members,’ said Fred Zuckerman, Director of the Teamsters Carhaul Division. ‘The automobile and carhaul industries are facing devastating economic problems right now. The members have spoken and their vote on the contract shows that, with this contract, they are ready to weather the difficult economic times and conditions faced by the industry.’
“The National Master Automobile Transporters Agreement will run through May 31, 2011. About 8,100 union carhaulers are covered by the agreement. Three regional supplemental contracts were also ratified. Members voted over the past several weeks through the mail and ballots were counted today.
“The agreement protects against new wage cuts that were proposed by the employers. While wages are frozen the first two years, there are wage increases the third year, and a cost-of-living adjustment the third year. The agreement also secures off-rail traffic that Teamsters don't currently handle. This will provide additional work opportunities for Teamster carhaulers.”
LETTER HAD RECOMMENDED APPROVALLocal 174 had recommended ratification of the National Agreement, following extensive discussion of complexities. On September 29, 2008, Tom Mann, Local 174 Senior Business Agent, sent out the following letter to all Local 174 Members employed by Active USA about their new, then still Tentative Agreement. It summed up the current status of the ongoing complex negotiations:
“Dear Members:
“As we are sure you know, the National Committee has successfully achieved new Tentative Agreements. This would not have been possible, if not for your valuable input collected from the surveys in which all of you participated.
“In the Western Area Driveaway, we are especially pleased that all of the objectionable existing operations, one seniority board, and the backhaul language were deleted from this new offer.
“In addition, we have secured personal assurances from the National Director and the Western Area Director that if necessary, the Union will force Active USA to the table in order to bargain our local issues. These include the ability to bargain you into the Washington Teamsters Health, Dental, Vision and Retiree Medical Plans. If agreed to, this move would produce a monetary savings, of which will be bargained into the local Agreement.
“The other very significant news to come out of this bargain is the fact that under the newly enacted Pension Reform Act, collective bargaining Agreements whose Pension Plans are in the ‘Red Zone’ must be renewed within 180 days of expiration or face mandatory reductions in benefit levels for current Retirees. Without ratification NMATA Retirees would face certain pension benefit cuts on and after November 27, 2008.
“Therefore, after very careful thought and considering the current and projected economic turmoil in the New Vehicle Transport Industry, the Local 174 leadership approved the Agreements and is recommending ratification.”
OHFL TEAMSTERS BRIDGE GAP
OAK HARBOR FREIGHT LINES TEAMSTERS PROTEST AT GAP HEADQUARTERS IN SAN FRANCISCO THE GAP’S SF HQ WERE THE SCENE OF A DRAMATIC BANNER DROP ON AN ADJACENT BUILDING
 The Teamster position was made very clear by the October 21 banner drop in San Francisco. |
(October 22, 2008) Following is the October 21 IBT press release discussing yesterday’s action in San Francisco supporting the Oak Harbor Freight Lines Unfair Labor Practice Strike. Specifically, on October 21st, Teamsters rappelled down the side of a building adjacent to The Gap’s headquarters in San Francisco to bring attention to The Gap’s support of the union-busting freight firm.
Oak Harbor Freight Lines workers in Oregon, Washington and Idaho were forced to strike on September 22 in protest of the freight company’s violations of U.S. labor laws, as well as hostile efforts by the company to intimidate workers. A day later, Oak Harbor took the outrageous step of cutting off health care benefits to its workers and retirees.
(Washington, D.C., October 21, 2008) — Today, Teamsters rappelled down the side of a building adjacent to The Gap’s headquarters in San Francisco to bring attention to the company’s support of union-busting freight firm Oak Harbor Freight Lines. Oak Harbor Freight Lines, the company that transports Gap merchandise on the West Coast, recently cut health care benefits for its workers and retirees.
“We are here today at Gap Inc. to let the people of San Francisco, and the country, know that Gap, Inc. supports union-busters,” said Dan Jurpik, a striking worker who participated in the banner drop. “I have worked for Oak Harbor for 14 years. Now they are slashing our health care and bringing in professional strikebreakers to coerce and scare loyal long-time employees.”
In protest over Oak Harbor Freight Lines’ violations of U.S. labor laws, workers in Oregon, Washington and Idaho were forced to strike on Sept. 22. The company also made hostile attempts to intimidate workers. One day later, Oak Harbor took the extraordinary step of cutting off health care benefits to its workers and retirees.
“This company is treating its employees badly,” said Al Hobart, President of Teamsters Joint Council 28 and International Vice President. “Not only do they not want to negotiate fairly, but now they have taken the outrageous step of slashing health care benefits for workers. And, to add insult to injury, they cut health care for retirees — the very workers who built Oak Harbor into a strong company.”
Oak Harbor’s biggest freight customer, retail giant Gap Inc., continues to provide support to Oak Harbor even after it cut retiree health care benefits, froze workers’ retirement income and slashed sick leave.
More than 600 Teamsters remain on strike in Washington, Oregon and Idaho against Auburn, Washington-based Oak Harbor, after bargaining unsuccessfully for a fair contract for the past 11 months.
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"Holding the Line at Oak Harbor" slide show
OHFL ULP STRIKE ON RADIO
THE TEAMSTER OAK HARBOR FREIGHT LINES UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE STRIKERS
ARE ON THE AIRWAVES
 Teamster picketers at the Auburn, Washington, Oak Harbor Freight Lines facility. |
(October 20, 2008) Following is the October 17 press release from the IBT discussing the IBT’s current national radio advertising campaign on behalf of the Teamster workers at Oak Harbor Freight Lines and their ULP Strike. The radio ad condemns Gap Inc.
National Radio Spots Condemn Gap Inc., Unethical Behavior
(Washington, D.C., October 17, 2008) — The Teamsters Union launched a nationwide radio ad on Air America today as part of a national campaign condemning the Gap Inc. for its support of Oak Harbor Freight Lines, the company that transports Gap merchandise on the West Coast.
Oak Harbor Freight Lines workers in Oregon, Washington and Idaho were forced to strike on Sept. 22 in protest of the freight company's violations of U.S. labor laws, as well as hostile efforts by company representatives to intimidate workers. A day later, Oak Harbor took the extraordinary step of cutting off health care benefits to its workers and retirees.
"Instead of negotiating in good faith," said Al Hobart, President of Teamsters Joint Council 28 and International Vice President, "Oak Harbor has imported teams of professional strikebreakers to coerce and scare loyal long-time employees. Even more outrageous is the company's move to ax health benefits — which is the most irresponsible attack on working men and women that I have seen."
Oak Harbor's biggest freight customer, retail giant the Gap Inc., has supported the move to cut retiree health care benefits and to freeze workers' retirement income and slash sick leave.
Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), Urban Outfitters, and other companies have elected to suspend their relationship with Oak Harbor until the company finds a just and lasting resolution to the ongoing labor dispute.
More than 600 Teamsters remain on strike in Washington, Oregon and Idaho against Auburn, Washington-based Oak Harbor, after bargaining unsuccessfully for a fair contract for 11 months.
Several organizations, including United Students against Sweatshops, Sweatfree Communities, the International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers Federation, Students & Scholars Against Corporate Misbehavior, and the International Labor Rights Forum have called on Gap Inc. to suspend its relationship with Oak Harbor. Unfortunately, the Gap continues to ignore workers' rights abuses and use Oak Harbor to transport merchandise.
The Teamsters' radio ad will run on the national radio network Air America, and is expected to reach at least 1.6 million listeners. Air America is also available online at www.airamerica.com.
OHFL ULP STRIKE UPDATE
TRANSPORT WORKERS, GARMENT WORKERS CALL ON GAP TO STOP USING OAK HARBOR FREIGHT LINES; OHFL’S ANTI-WORKER TACTICS CONTINUE AS ANOTHER STRIKER IS HIT BY VEHICLE
(October 17, 2008) Following is the October 14 press release from the IBT discussing the support of the ITF and the ITG for the Teamsters in the Oak Harbor Freight Lines Unfair Labor Practice Strike. You can read about the ITF and ITG by following the links in the first paragraph of the press release. More and more support is coming from the Labor Movement as word of the OHFL tactics and attitude spreads.
Oak Harbor Developments Teamster picketers at the Auburn Oak Harbor Freight Lines facility. |
Oak Harbor Freight, based in Auburn, Washington, is one of the largest trucking companies on the West Coast and provides time sensitive delivery services to some of the largest companies in the country.
Both federations sent letters to Gap, citing Oak Harbor’s refusal to negotiate with workers, its hiring of a notorious strike-breaking consulting firm and its efforts to bring in professional strike breakers. ITF’s letter asks Gap Inc. to “cease doing business with Oak Harbor Freight Lines until the company’s owners decide to end their war on workers in a just and equitable manner.”
Oak Harbor Teamsters in the Northwest walked off the job Sept. 22 in response to hostile efforts by the company to bully and intimidate workers, which are violations of American labor law. The company also took the outrageous step of cutting off health care benefits to all of its retirees.
Teamster local unions have been negotiating with Oak Harbor management since November 2007. The Teamsters are picketing Oak Harbor trucks in California, Nevada, Washington, Oregon and Idaho.
Also, a Teamster member honoring the strike line in Oregon was purposely struck and injured by a vehicle driven by an employee of a private security firm hired by Oak Harbor. The intentional injury was the second time in a week that a striking Teamster was targeted and hurt, showing the lengths the company will go to in attempts to break the resolve of striking workers.
Teamster Bryan Ankins was deliberately struck and slammed to the ground Oct. 7 by the security guard’s car when he was standing with other Teamsters outside a heat treating company in Clackamas, Oregon that is a customer of Oak Harbor. He was taken to an urgent care facility, and a hit-and-run report has been filed with the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office.
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"Holding the Line at Oak Harbor" slide show
OHFL MISLEADS CUSTOMERS
OAK HARBOR UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE STRIKE AND SERVICE DISRUPTIONS CONTINUE — IT IS NOT OVER — STATEMENTS OF EMPLOYER REPRESENTATIVES THAT THE STRIKE HAS ENDED ARE FALSE
 Teamster picketers at the Auburn, Washington Oak Harbor Freight Lines facility. The Unfair Labor Practice Strike continues. Morale on the picketline remains high. Solidarity is very strong. |
(October 13, 2008) The Oak Harbor Freight Lines Unfair Labor Practice Strike is not over. It has today entered its fourth week. However, as noted in the recent IBT press release reprinted below, the Employer is telling its customers and the public through various spokespersons that the Strike is over.
What has happened? On the picketing front the Teamster picketers in California, Nevada, Washington, Oregon and Idaho continue on the line with great Solidarity and resolve. And on the negotiating front, on October 9 the parties had the first mediation since the Strike started on September 22 — but no progress was made.
Anyone wanting a more detailed report of what is happening in the Oak Harbor ULP Strike can call the Local 174 Office directly.
Following is the IBT press release that was first sent out October 1. It is in the form of an official statement from Al Hobart, Teamsters International Vice President and President of Joint Council 28, which addresses the misinformation issue. Hobart’s statement continues to be circulated publicly by the Teamsters, as the company misinformation attempt which led to it continues.
IBT NEWS RELEASE, AL HOBART STATEMENT:
OAK HARBOR ULP STRIKE IS NOT OVER
“It has come to our attention that some Oak Harbor representatives are telling their customers the Freight Lines strike is over. It is not. The Teamsters continue picketing Oak Harbor Freight Lines’ trucks in California, Nevada, Washington, Oregon and Idaho.“Oak Harbor employees in the Northwest walked off the job September 22 in response to hostile efforts by company representatives to bully and intimidate workers, which are unfair labor practices in violation of federal law.
“Oak Harbor Freight Lines, one of the largest trucking companies on the West Coast, provide time sensitive delivery services to some of the largest companies in the country including The Gap, Safeway, JC Penney, Sylvania, Graybar Electric, HD Waterworks, Honda, McKesson, Cardinal Health, Tec Equipment, Siemens, Georgia Pacific, Owens & Minor, GM & Chrysler Parts, Urban Outfitters and Maytag.
“The National Labor Relations Board is investigating several labor law violations committed by the company including coercing and threatening employees, as well as making unlawful changes to working conditions.”
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"Holding the Line at Oak Harbor" slide show
PICKETERS NEED FIREWOOD
TEAMSTER PICKETERS IN THE OAK HARBOR FREIGHT LINES UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE STRIKE COULD USE YOUR HELP IN COPING WITH THE COLD AUTUMN WEATHER
 Teamster picketers at the Auburn, Washington Oak Harbor Freight Lines facility. The weather is getting cold and they could use any spare firewood you could give them. |
(October 8, 2008) The Oak Harbor Freight Lines Unfair Labor Practice Strike is continuing. But the increasingly inclement Fall weather is making it pretty cold on the picketline in front of the OHFL facilities in Auburn, Washington these days.
Local 174 members and friends who stop by the Oak Harbor picketline could help out by bringing with them, and donating, any spare firewood they have to keep their fellow Teamster Brothers and Sisters on the line warm.
The Oak Harbor Freight Lines corporate headquarters which are being picketed are located at 339 West Valley Highway North. Anyone who has firewood but doesn’t know how to get to the picketline can get directions by calling the Local 174 Office at 206-441-6060.
BACKGROUND OF THE OHFL ULP STRIKE
Teamsters at Oak Harbor Freight Lines in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho walked off the job September 22 in response to hostile efforts by company representatives to bully and intimidate workers.
The Oak Harbor employees’ Negotiating Committee is led by Teamsters Joint Council 28 President/International Vice President Al Hobart.
“The last thing we want is a strike,” said Hobart on September 23. “We understand that service disruptions during the peak shipping season and the holiday rush hurt everyone. Oak Harbor’s owners just have not left us with any alternative. The company seems to be more interested in violating the law than protecting the interests of its customers.”
Union officials report the National Labor Relations Board is investigating several labor law violations committed by the company including coercing and threatening employees, as well as making unlawful changes to working conditions.
“The bargaining position taken by the company made this strike unavoidable,” said Tyson Johnson, International Vice President and Freight Division Director, also on September 23. “Oak Harbor’s customers will likely experience service disruptions soon.”
On September 29, Teamsters began picketing Oak Harbor Freight Lines’ trucks in California and Nevada week to support striking employees in Washington, Oregon and Idaho.
“Oak Harbor’s customers in California and Nevada will likely experience service disruptions as we begin following the company’s trucks with ambulatory pickets,” said Hobart on September 30. Also that day, Johnson said, “Teamsters up and down the West Coast are standing strong with our brothers and sisters in the Northwest. Oak Harbor’s customers would be wise to seek out alternative carriers while our members are on strike.”
Teamster members in the first few days of October began a nationwide campaign to show support for striking Oak Harbor Freight Lines trucking employees by passing out handbills at Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic stores. Oak Harbor Freight Lines transports merchandise on the West Coast to these stores. Oak Harbor elected to cut off health care coverage to retirees to punish workers who walked off the job in Washington, Oregon and Idaho Sept. 22 in protest of the company's violation of American labor laws.
"Several of Oak Harbor Freight Lines' largest customers have acted responsibly by shifting their shipments to other regional carriers," said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa on October 6. "But other companies continue to do business with a company that is needlessly hurting seniors and families in our community and violating America's labor laws."
Oak Harbor Freight Lines, one of the largest regional trucking companies on the West Coast, provides time sensitive delivery services to some of the largest companies in the country including JC Penney, Burlington Coat Factory, Sally Beauty Supply, K-Mart, Sylvania, HD Waterworks, Owens & Minor, Snap-On, Bargreen Ellingson, McKesson, Cardinal Health, Siemens, Georgia Paciflc, GM & Chrysler Parts, Urban Outfltters and Maytag.
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"Holding the Line at Oak Harbor" slide show
HANDBILLING FOR OAK HARBOR ULP STRIKE
TEAMSTERS CAMPAIGN FOR STRIKING OHFL EMPLOYEES AT NATIONAL RETAIL STORES; HANDBILLING DONE AT GAP, OLD NAVY, BANANA REPUBLIC
 Picketers in the continuing Oak Harbor Freight Lines Unfair Labor Practice Strike at the Oak Harbor facility in Auburn, Washington. |
(October 6, 2008) Following is today’s press release from the IBT discussing the nationwide handbilling campaign that has been initiated to assist those involved in the Oak Harbor Unfair Labor Practice Strike.
(Washington, D.C.) — Teamster members have begun a nationwide campaign to show support for striking Oak Harbor Freight Lines trucking employees by passing out handbills at Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic stores.
Oak Harbor Freight Lines transports merchandise on the West Coast to these stores. Oak Harbor elected to cut off health care coverage to retirees two weeks ago to punish workers who walked off the job in Washington, Oregon and Idaho Sept. 22 in protest of the company's violation of American labor laws.
"Several of Oak Harbor Freight Lines' largest customers have acted responsibly by shifting their shipments to other regional carriers," said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa. "But other companies continue to do business with a company that is needlessly hurting seniors and families in our community and violating America's labor laws."
Oak Harbor Freight Lines, one of the largest regional trucking companies on the West Coast, provides time sensitive delivery services to some of the largest companies in the country including JC Penney, Burlington Coat Factory, Sally Beauty Supply, K-Mart, Sylvania, HD Waterworks, Owens & Minor, Snap-On, Bargreen Ellingson, McKesson, Cardinal Health, Siemens, Georgia Paciflc, GM & Chrysler Parts, Urban Outfltters and Maytag.
Teamsters in California and Nevada began picketing Oak Harbor Freight Lines' trucks in California and Nevada last week to support striking employees.
The National Labor Relations Board is investigating several labor law violations committed by the company including coercing and threatening employees, as well as making unlawful changes to working conditions.
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"Holding the Line at Oak Harbor" slide show
OAK HARBOR ULP STRIKE UPDATE
TEAMSTERS EXTEND OAK HARBOR FREIGHT LINES UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE STRIKE TO CALIFORNIA AND NEVADA; TRUCKING COMPANY CONTINUES TO REFUSE TO BARGAIN IN GOOD FAITH
 Teamster picketers at the Auburn, Washington, Oak Harbor Freight Lines facility. The Strike is extending to California and Nevada because OHFL refuses to bargain in good faith. |
(October 1, 2008) Following is the September 30, 2008 press release from the IBT discussing the extension of the Oak Harbor Unfair Labor Practice Strike.
(Washington, D.C.) – Teamsters will begin picketing Oak Harbor Freight Lines’ trucks in California and Nevada this week to support striking employees in Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Oak Harbor employees in the Northwest walked off the job September 22 in response to hostile efforts by company representatives to bully and intimidate workers, which are unfair labor practices in violation of federal law.
“Oak Harbor’s customers in California and Nevada will likely experience service disruptions as we begin following the company’s trucks with ambulatory pickets,” said Al Hobart, International Vice President and President of Joint Council 28.
Oak Harbor Freight Lines, one of the largest trucking companies on the West Coast, provide time sensitive delivery services to some of the largest companies in the country including The Gap, Safeway, JC Penney, Sylvania, Graybar Electric, HD Waterworks, Honda, McKesson, Cardinal Health, Tec Equipment, Siemens, Georgia Pacific, Owens & Minor, GM & Chrysler Parts, Urban Outfitters and Maytag.
“Teamsters up and down the West Coast are standing strong with our brothers and sisters in the Northwest,” said Tyson Johnson, International Vice President and Freight Division Director. “Oak Harbor’s customers would be wise to seek out alternative carriers while our members are on strike.”
The National Labor Relations Board is investigating several labor law violations committed by the company including coercing and threatening employees, as well as making unlawful changes to working conditions.
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"Holding the Line at Oak Harbor" slide show
SEATTLE TIMES TENTATIVE AGREEMENT
VOTE COMING ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
 Secretary-Treasurer Rick Hicks brings the Seattle Times members up to date on the negotiating. Next to him are other Bargaining Committee members, left-to-right, Local 174 Organizer Patty Warren, Bill Phillips, Sam Taylor, Nate Wickliff and Mike Tresslar. |
(September 25, 2008) On Tuesday, September 23, 2008, Teamsters Local 174 and the Seattle Times reached a tentative agreement on outsourcing to Penske. The Agreement will be fully recommended to our members at a vote on Sunday, September 28. No details will be released until after the vote.
The tentative agreement was achieved after a Sunday, September 21, 2008, vote in which Teamsters Local 174 members working at the Seattle Times overwhelmingly authorized a strike.
On November 30, 2007, the Seattle Times notified Teamsters Local 174 that it intended to outsource the work performed by our members to a third party contractor in order to save money and to move away from a "non-core" business operation, transportation, to "core" operations, publishing its newspaper. Our members currently deliver the Times and the P-I to warehouses throughout the Puget Sound area.
 Seattle Times members listen to the report by their Bargaining Committee at their September 21 Strike Authorization Vote Meeting. The Meeting was at JC-28 Headquarters in Tukwila. |
Since that time, we had attempted to reach agreement on either a new contract between the Seattle Times and Local 174 or, in the alternative, on an arrangement under which we would find outsourcing acceptable.
To that end, we worked long hours including last week trying to reach an agreement which we could recommend to our members. Finally, we were able to do so.
"We are at a crucial crossroads in these negotiations with the Seattle Times," said Rick Hicks, Secretary-Treasurer of the Local. "We remain hopeful now that we have reached a tentative agreement.”
TEAMSTER STRIKE AT OAK HARBOR
PROVOKED BY FEDERAL LABOR LAW VIOLATIONS; TRUCKING COMPANY REFUSES TO BARGAIN IN GOOD FAITH
 Picketing at Oak Harbor Freight Lines facility in Auburn. |
(September 23, 2008) SEATTLE – Teamsters at Oak Harbor Freight Lines in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho walked off the job last night in response to hostile efforts by company representatives to bully and intimidate workers.
Oak Harbor Freight Lines, one of the largest trucking companies on the West Coast, provides time sensitive delivery services to some of the largest companies and government agencies in the country including the Gap, Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI), Safeway, Siemens, Georgia Pacific, McKesson, Owens & Minor, JC Penny, Honda, GM & Chrysler Parts, Urban Outfitters, Whirlpool, and the State of Washington.
“The last thing we want is a strike,” said Al Hobart, Teamsters Vice President and Teamster Joint Council 28 President. “We understand that service disruptions during the peak shipping season and the holiday rush hurt everyone. Oak Harbor’s owners just have not left us with any alternative. The company seems to be more interested in violating the law than protecting the interests of its customers.”
Union officials report the National Labor Relations Board is investigating several labor law violations committed by the company including coercing and threatening employees, as well as making unlawful changes to working conditions.
“The bargaining position taken by the company made this strike unavoidable,” said Tyson Johnson, International Vice President and Freight Division Director. “Oak Harbor’s customers will likely experience service disruptions soon.”
| Enjoy these Labor Day Photos! Click on any photo for a larger view. (Photos by Bill McCarthy) |
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LABOR DAY PICNICKING
IT WAS ENJOYABLE TOUCHING BASES WITH LABOR FRIENDS AND ACQUAINTANCES
By BILL McCARTHY, Communications Specialist
(September 2, 2008) I hope all our Website’s readers had fun on Labor Day, September 1, 2008. I did. I attended the annual Martin Luther King County Labor Council Labor Day Picnic at Woodland Park in North Seattle, as I have each year for many years now. The camaraderie and the hot dogs keep drawing me back. Mostly, I go for the camaraderie. It gives me a chance to touch bases with folks I’ve worked with or around for 39 years in my case.
 A day at the MLKCLC Labor Day Picnic is always a true change of pace. |
This year’s get-together was one of the best ever. The weather was great, and there was lots of action. Because there is a hugely important General Election coming up on November 4, there were politicians aplenty present, chitchatting with the citizenry nonstop. Some of the politicos were campaigning, some were just there to meet with constituents, and some were probably there just for free hotdogs but at least they turned out to be with their Labor friends and supporters.
The other Teamsters present at the Picnic and I enjoyed, besides the hotdogs, soda pop, popcorn and ice cream courtesy of various MLKCLC affiliated Unions. And the Union musicians this year were extremely talented. They were the three-man Haggis Brothers band, and a fourth guest non-Brother joined them for some of their songs at the Picnic. The Haggises featured mostly country and western music, with some pop and rock & roll entries.
There was a familiar cloud over the Picnic though, as there has been for the past eight Labor Day picnics. That cloud is the depressing pall created by the Bush Administration’s evermore destructive anti-Labor policies, which have devastated Organized Labor since President W has been in power. But the Bush cloud could lift on November 4 if enough Union members and friends get out and vote for pro-worker candidates at the polls.
Nationally, all of Organized Labor including the Teamsters are strongly endorsing Democrat Barack Obama of Illinois for President. In Washington State, Labor’s choice for our leaders is incumbent Democratic Governor Chris Gregoire. Both Obama and Gregoire had written messages for those attending the Picnic, passed out to everyone by campaign personnel on their respective behalves.
Please consider their statements.
OBAMA’S WORDS
Hello, everybody. This Labor Day Weekend, we don’t just celebrate the end of summer — we also honor the hardworking men and women who have made this country what it is and the American Labor Movement that has fought tirelessly to improve their wages, benefits and working conditions.
America was built by its laborers, but today our workers are struggling just to get by in an economy that no longer works for them. That’s why we can’t afford four more years of the failed George Bush economic policies — policies that Senator John McCain has proudly embraced and promises to continue.
It’s time we had a President who will stand up for working men and women by building an economy that rewards not just wealth, but work and the workers who create it.
It’s time you had a partner in the White House who knows that the struggles facing working families can’t be solved by spending billions of dollars on more tax breaks for big corporations and wealthy CEOs, and that hardworking families need immediate relief.
That’s why, as President, I’ll end tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas and give them to companies that create good-paying jobs here at home, and while Senator McCain is proposing $4 billion in new tax breaks for oil companies that are making record profits, I’ll put a $1,000 tax cut into the pockets of 95% of workers and their families.
It’s time you had a President who honors Organized Labor — who’s walked on picketlines — who doesn’t choke on the word “Union” — who lets our Unions do what they do best and organize our workers — and who will finally make the Employee Free Choice Act the law of the land.
That is the choice in this Election. We can choose to remain on the path that has abandoned workers and gotten our economy in so much trouble, or we can reclaim the idea that in America, opportunity is open to anyone who’s willing to work for it.
I’ve spent my entire career fighting for working men and women. And so has my running mate, Joe Biden, a man whose heart and values are rooted firmly in the middle class. With him by my side, I am confident that we can take this country in a new direction and restore that fair shot at your dreams that is at the core of what Joe Biden and I stand for, and what America stands for as a nation.
GREGOIRE’S WORDS
When I took office, Washington had a $2.2 billion deficit and one of the highest unemployment rates in the country.
Since then, we’ve created over 200,000 new jobs, erased the deficit, doubled our exports, cut red tape, and had more new business start-ups per capita than any other State.
We’re not immune from Bush’s failed national economic policies, but we’ve built a fiscally responsible foundation to weather the economic storm and keep our innovative spirit flourishing.
When I took office, overcrowded prisons were releasing criminals early and my opponent had written a budget that threatened to cut health care benefits for 40,000 children.
Since then, we’ve required electronic ankle bracelets and increased jail sentences for sex offenders, opened new prisons to keep dangerous criminals where they belong, expanded health care coverage to 84,000 children, and imposed the strictest toy safety standards in the country.
We’re proving that the safety, health and education of our children is the best investment we can make.
While my opponent wants to continue to debate the science of global warming, Washington is leading the country in efforts to reduce greenhouse gases and produce renewable energy while cleaning up our precious Puget Sound.
Our history of innovation and well educated work force, spurred by prudent state efforts to encourage new cutting-edge industries, has us well positioned to benefit from the growing “green” economy and produce a cleaner State for generations to come.
As we look to the future, I will continue to set the bar high for the quality of life in our State, meet the difficult challenges we face head-on, and produce tangible results that improve the daily lives of every community and every family in our State.
NEW LEADER AT LOCAL 117
TRACEY THOMPSON NEW S-T AS OF OCTOBER 1
 John Williams will be concentrating on his International-level job as Director of the IBT Warehouse Division. |
(August 27, 2008) A change in leadership is about to happen at Local 174’s Sister Local 117. Longtime Secretary-Treasurer John Williams is stepping down from that post to concentrate on his other main job, International Director of the IBT’s Warehouse Division. Local 174 Elected Officers, Shop Stewards and Activists have consulted formally and informally with Williams in past years on many negotiations — especially those involving the Grocery Industry. And the consultations have taken place with him in both of his job situations, the Local area and the International area.
Also, he has helped Local 174 in bargaining as a regional coordinator for Joint Council 28, for which he has been its longtime Warehouse and Beverage Division Chairman.
His expertise and experience in dealing with shared bargaining involving several Locals, several Joint Councils, and other Unions, has been especially helpful.
Local 174 wishes Williams the best in his new streamlined one hat role as just an IBT Division Head, and its leaders anticipate working with him in that International capacity in the future, as has been the case in the past while he had the dual-level duties.
And 174 will surely be consulting often over the years on various bargaining situations with the new Local 117 Secretary-Treasurer Tracey Thompson — as of October 1, 2008 when she assumes that position, that is. The 174 Officers and Staff look forward to working with Tracey in her new post.
LOCAL 117 ANNOUNCEMENT
Details behind this big change were outlined in a printed announcement sent out by Local 117 to its membership and the general Teamster community this week. The news was also posted on 117’s Website. In the printed announcement Local 117 reported:
 Tracey Thompson with Governor Chris Gregoire at a fundraiser for Gregoire at JC-28 Headquarters July 31, 2008. |
”After more than 15 years under the accomplished direction of John A. Williams, your Local Union will see a change of leadership. On August 14, the Executive Board of Teamsters Local 117 unanimously voted Senior Staff Attorney, Tracey Thompson, to succeed Williams as 117’s new Secretary-Treasurer effective October 1.
“Tracey Thompson is the next generation of leaders at Teamsters Local 117,” Williams was quoted as saying. And he added, it reported, her “success in handling litigation on behalf of 117’s members, her experience as chief negotiator for the workers of the adult prison system in the State of Washington, and her unyielding commitment to the welfare of the membership make her the ideal candidate to carry on the work of this Local.”
Thompson, said the announcement, was honored by the decision of the Executive Board, and pledged to promote “the values of honesty, integrity, and a members-first mentality” that she said have characterized Williams’ tenure at Local 117. She continued, it reported: “I am committed to continue building a diverse and dynamic Union, fighting for good contracts with family wages and benefits for all the members of Local 117, as well as expanding our organizing efforts of non-union employees.”
The announcement went on: “Thompson also stated that she intended to keep intact Local 117’s team of 45 employees that represent nearly 17,000 working women and men throughout the Pacific Northwest.”
And it ended with: “For his part, Williams said he is stepping down from his position at Local 117 to devote himself full-time to his responsibilities as the Director of the Warehouse Division at the 1.4 million-member International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT). He also intends to play a significant role in the Teamsters political action efforts, both locally and nationally, as the Teamsters seek to elect Presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama, and re-elect Washington State Governor Chris Gregoire.”
TRACEY THOMPSON’S BACKGROUND
Here, as posted on the Local 117 Website, is the professional and personal background “Senior Staff Attorney Tracey A. Thompson, J.D”:
 Incoming Local 117 Secretary-Treasurer Tracey Thompson, third from left, with 117 and JC-28 staff friends at the Gregoire fundraiser. |
“Tracey received her undergraduate degree in English from Tufts University in 1983 and her law degree magna cum laude from Seattle University School of Law (formerly University of Puget Sound School of Law). After graduating from law school in 1994, Tracey was a judicial clerk for the Honorable J. Dean Morgan of the Washington Court of Appeals, Division II. In 1995, Tracey joined the law firm of Gordon, Thomas, Honeywell, Malanca, Peterson & Daheim in Tacoma, Washington. She worked in the areas of employment and contract litigation.
“From 1997 to 1999, Tracey taught at Seattle University School of Law and Indiana University Law School in the areas of Consumer Law, Product Liability Law, Legal Ethics, and Legal Writing. In 2000, she joined the law firm of Eisenhower & Carlson where she practiced employment law. Tracey joined the Teamsters Union as an in-house Staff Attorney for Local 117 in March of 2003. She is a member of the Washington State Bar Association, U.S. Federal District Courts of the Western and Eastern Districts of Washington, and the Ninth Circuit Bar."
