Special Reports
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[tab_title]NLRB Under Attack[/tab_title]
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The NLRB Under Attack: Stories in the Media
- Post Date: July 16, 2013
Think Progress
Republicans Cave: Seven Top Government Jobs Will Be Filled
- Post Date: July 16, 2013
The New York Times
Vacancies and Partisan Fighting Put Labor Relations Agency in Legal Limbo
- Post Date: July 16, 2013
Teamster Nation
Workers demand Senate vote on NLRB nominees!
- Post Date: July 15, 2013
Daily Kos
A few reasons to care about the National Labor Relations Board
- Post Date: July 15, 2013
AFL-CIO Now
McConnell Offers NLRB Vote…with a Catch
- Post Date: July 12, 2013
Working America
NLRB Truth: 10 Reasons Why the National Labor Relations Board Matters
- Post Date: July 11, 2013
AFL-CIO Now
Does the NLRB Confirmation Fight Confuse You?
- Post Date: July 4, 2013
Deadline.com
Supreme Court Rejects Cablevision Request To Block NLRB Trial In Union Dispute
- Post Date: June 18, 2013
AFL-CIO Now
Clarence’s Story: Why We Need a Functioning NLRB
- Post Date: June 17, 2013
The American Prospect
NLRB poster rule likely dead after second federal appeals court ruling
- Post Date: June 17, 2013
Thomson Reuters
NLRB poster rule likely dead after second federal appeals court ruling
- Post Date: June 10, 2013
Politico
Attacked on all sides, NLRB is in ‘unprecedented’ place
- Post Date: May 21, 2013
Politico
Clearing NLRB nominees is a clear step forward
- Post Date: May 17, 2013
The Hill
Crisis at the NLRB
- Post Date: May 17, 2013
The Hill
Crisis at the NLRB
- Post Date: May 17, 2013
Politico
Second appeals court invalidates Obama’s NLRB recess appointments
- Post Date: May 16, 2013
The Hill
Unions mobilize as labor board faces paralysis in Obama’s second term
- Post Date: May 16, 2013
Think Progress
Two GOP Judges Just Voted To Eliminate Union Rights, Here’s How The Senate Can Stop Them
- Post Date: May 15, 2013
Huffington Post
NLRB Nominations May Be Blocked By GOP, Rendering Labor Board Inoperable
- Post Date: May 13, 2013
AFL-CIO Now
This Week’s Opportunity: Get Our Labor Board Working Again
- Post Date: May 5, 2013
The New York Times
Court Bars Notice to Workers on Right to Unionize
- Post Date: April 12, 2013
AFL-CIO Now
House Passes Bill to Shut Down NLRB
- Post Date: May 17, 2012
Bloomberg
NLRB Can Revive Speedy Union Vote Rule Judge Threw Out
- Post Date: May 15, 2012
Teamsters.org
Teamsters: Judge’s Rejection Of NLRB Decision Undermines Workers’ Right To Fair Vote For A Union
- Post Date: May 8, 2012
We Party Patriots
ARAW Calls for Terence Flynn’s Immediate Resignation as NLRB Scandal Intensifies
- Post Date: May 3, 2012
Bloomberg Businessweek
NLRB’s Flynn Urged to Quit After Fresh Ethics Allegations
- Post Date: April 26, 2012
The Hill’s Congress Blog
Anti-union Right’s alternate reality on NLRB election rule
- Post Date: April 22, 2012
The New York Times
Do You Know Your Rights?
- Post Date: April 18, 2012
The Hill’s Congress Blog
Why the Senate should reject Enzi’s Congressional Review Act
- Post Date: April 5, 2012
In These Times
Romney Silent About His Role in NLRB Scandal
- Post Date: March 30, 2012
The Hill
GOP leaders oppose the rights enforced by the NLRB
- Post Date: March 26, 2012
The Hill
NLRB plan to share workers’ email, phone numbers under fire
- Post Date: March 25, 2012
We Party Patiors
GOP Member of NLRB Committed Ethics Violations
- Post Date: March 23, 2012
Huffington Post
Labor Board Member Shared Insider Secrets, Inspector General Says
- Post Date: March 22, 2012
The Hill’s Congress Blog
The GOP’s assault on labor rights: What is happening in the states?
- Post Date: March 13, 2012
Source: In These Times
Rep. Miller: GOP Squashing NLRB Inspector General Report
- Post Date: March 7, 2012
Source: The Nation
Workers, and NLRB, Under Attack
- Post Date: February 20, 2012
Source: The Seattle Times
NLRB’s top lawyer still feels fallout from Boeing, union case
- Post Date: February 6, 2012
Source: The Hill’s Congress Blog
GOP’s doublespeak on the NLRB
- Post Date: February 2, 2012
Source: The Hill’s Congress Blog
NLRB crucial to protecting workers, employers
- Post Date: January 10, 2012
Source: The Everett Herald
U.S. labor board overturns requirement for arbitration
- Post Date: January 3, 2012
Source: The Hill’s Congress Blog
Why Obama must make recess appointments to the NLRB
- Post Date: December 19, 2011
Source: The Hill’s Congress Blog
Rage against the NLRB
- Post Date: December 19, 2011
Source: The Hill’s Congress Blog
Boeing settlement showcases the value of collective bargaining
- Post Date: December 15, 2011
Source: The Hill
Obama taps two for NLRB posts
- Post Date: November 29, 2011
Source: The Hill’s Congress Blog
What in the world is going on at the NLRB?
- Post Date: November 22, 2011
Source: Working In These Times
Will GOP NLRB Member Resign to Shut Down Labor Agency?
- Post Date: October 28, 2011
Source: The Seattle Times
Labor board headed for gridlock again
- Post Date: October 25, 2011
Source: The Hill
GOP takes second crack at labor board
- Post Date: October 18, 2011
Source: Labor Notes
NLRB May Lose Quorum in 2012, Suspending Recent Progress
- Post Date: October 17, 2011
Source: Daily Kos
Hypocritical industry group attacks the National Labor Relations Board
- Post Date: September 22, 2011
Source: Politico
GOP’s NLRB funding move rejected
- Post Date: September 22, 2011
Source: Free Republic
Senate panel rejects GOP bid to undercut NLRB
- Post Date: September 21, 2011
Source: Tulsa World
U.S. House passes bill to undercut NLRB
- Post Date: September 21, 2011
Source: Politico
SenateTargets NLRB in Spending Bill
- Post Date: September 21, 2011
Source: The Daily Weekly
Labor/Employment
GOP Looks to Punish NLRB for Boeing Case by Stripping It of Power
- Post Date: August 24, 2011
Source: AFL-CIO Now Blog
Top Lawmakers Say Proposed NLRB Election Rule Ensures ‘Greater Fairness’
- Post Date: August 23, 2011
Source: AFL-CIO Now Blog…
Workers Back NLRB’s Proposed Union Election Rule
- Post Date: August 23, 2011
Source: Teamster.org…
Teamsters Strongly Support NLRB Proposed Election Changes
- Post Date: August 23, 2011
Source: Motion Picture Editors Guild…
Boeing Forced to Turn Over Docs in NLRB Case
- Post Date: July 21, 2011
Source: In These Times…
Pro-Business Rat Attends NLRB Hearing on Proposed Union Election Rule
- Post Date: July 20, 2011
Source: AFL-CIO Now Blog…
What the Proposed NLRB Rules DO and DON’T
- Post Date: July 20, 2011
Source: AFL-CIO Now Blog…
NLRB Gets Petition with 15,000 Signatures Supporting Rule Changes
- Post Date: July 20, 2011
Source: AFL-CIO Now Blog…
‘We Need Somebody to Give Workers a Voice’
- Post Date: July 20, 2011
Source: The Hill…
NLRB hearings will reveal future of labor law
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[tab_title]2011 IBT Convention[/tab_title]
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Day Five: Biden to Teamsters–You Protect the Middle Class
Originally Posted: Friday July 1, 2011
Source: Teamster.org
Vice President Joe Biden said today at the Teamsters’ 28th International Convention that unions are the only institution protecting the middle class from assault by concentrated power and wealth.
Biden said recent attacks on working people by politicians in state capitals and Congress represent “the most direct assault on labor in modern American history.”
During the five-day convention, which closed today, Teamsters focused on the war being waged on workers by extremist politicians in the states and in Congress. Biden’s remarks echoed the union’s message that attacks on unions are attacks on the middle class.
“What other institution in America has the power to take on this concentration of power and wealth?” Biden said. “It’s you.”
“For white-collar workers in the middle class who don’t see any relevance to unions, for my kids, for my grandkids, we can’t lose this war,” he said.
Biden said the difference between the Obama administration and Republicans is their commitment to the middle class.
“Look at Wisconsin, Ohio, New Hampshire, Missouri, Iowa, Pennsylvania, on and on. Did you ever think that in 2011 you’d be fighting against right to work for less again?” he said.
“In their vision you have no place at all in our vision you are the place,” he said. “Without you there is no American Dream. There is no possibility. We stand with organized labor because you’re standing with the people who are struggling to get a chance.”
Biden’s remarks came near the end of the convention. After he spoke, Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa closed the convention.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do,” said Hoffa. “We’ve got to make sure we get working on the American Dream.”
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Day Four: Convention Delegates Urge Amtrak Be Designated High-Speed Rail Operator, Provider
Originally Posted: Thursday, June 30, 2011
Source: Teamster.org
A resolution to support high-speed rail and the union jobs that should go with it was passed by delegates to the Teamsters 28th International Convention with full support from its 70,000-member Rail Conference. Fred Simpson, President of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes, rebuked politicians such as Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., who want to privatize Amtrak. Simpson said Mica’s latest proposal “would give away America’s most successful rail corridor to his political friends, and provide them with massive government subsidies.”
“There is no tax savings to the American people in this scheme,” Simpson said. “It will not produce improved passenger service, good paying jobs, or economic growth. But it will transfer our tax dollars into the pockets of Wall Street speculators and corporate profiteers.”
Dennis Pierce, President of the Teamsters Rail Conference and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, led the successful resolution for the IBT to support the conference in its efforts to form bargaining coalitions
Pierce explained why it’s so important for railroad unions to stick together. He told the gathering that railroad carriers for generations have preyed on weak or vulnerable unions to establish “pattern settlements” that undermine stronger unions at the bargaining table.
“We are currently leading the struggle to defeat the railroads’ attempt to shift the cost of health care from an industry enjoying record profits to the workers who are least able to bear that cost,” Pierce said.
The Teamsters represent 11 crafts in 11 unions for a total of 75 percent of the total employees in the railroad industry.
UPS is the Teamsters Union’s largest bargaining unit, and members and leaders spoke not only about remaining vigilant there, but the challenges faced by workers at UPS’ main rival, FedEx.
UPS Teamsters spoke to the crowd about the difference a Teamster contract has made in their lives and the importance of staying vigilant as UPS continues to test that contract.
“I’ve seen the good times. When our economy was flourishing, we all benefited,” said Nancy Aleccia, a 33-year member of Local 396 of Covina, Calif. “And when our economy went into a downturn, we were faced challenges…Going through that time has made me appreciate more than ever the value of my Teamster contract. We have seniority and recall rights, something nonunion employees do not have.”
FedEx workers are clamoring for Teamster representation, but there are roadblocks to overcome before the union can organize.
[button class=”readMore” link=”http://www.teamster.org/content/teamsters-resolve-ensure-high-speed-rail-jobs-are-union-jobs” linking=”new-window” size=”small” type=”simple” title=”Read More” text_color=”#ffffff” bg_color=”#ff6514″]Read More[/button] [button id=”proceedings” class=”proceedings” link=”http://www.teamster.org/sites/teamster.org/files/ThursdayProceedings.pdf” linking=”new-window” size=”small” type=”simple” title=”Download proceedings” text_color=”#ffffff” bg_color=”#0066cc”]Download Proceedings[/button]
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Day Three: Teamsters Pass Resolution Demanding Prosecution of Wall Street CEOs Responsible for Economic Devastation
Originally Posted: Thursday, June 30, 2011
Source: Teamster.org
Delegates to the 28th International Brotherhood of Teamsters Convention unanimously approved a resolution to prosecute chief executives and other Wall Street players responsible for the global financial crisis of 2008. “How come not a single Wall Street CEO has gone to jail after destroying the economy,” said Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer Tom Keegel. “We demand that Wall Street pay for the crisis.”
Passage of the resolution followed discussions of the devastating impact of Wall Street’s greed and recklessness on the middle class. The “Putting Working Families First, Make Wall Street Pay,” resolution states that not only have there been no prosecutions of anyone directly responsible for the financial crisis, but “not a single worker, pension fund, or home owner, has received a government “bailout,” while the government spent trillions bailing out Wall Street financial institutions.” Delegates to the 28th International Brotherhood of Teamsters Convention unanimously approved a resolution to prosecute chief executives and other Wall Street players responsible for the global financial crisis of 2008.
“How come not a single Wall Street CEO has gone to jail after destroying the economy,” said Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer Tom Keegel. “We demand that Wall Street pay for the crisis.”
Passage of the resolution followed discussions of the devastating impact of Wall Street’s greed and recklessness on the middle class. The “Putting Working Families First, Make Wall Street Pay,” resolution states that not only have there been no prosecutions of anyone directly responsible for the financial crisis, but “not a single worker, pension fund, or home owner, has received a government “bailout,” while the government spent trillions bailing out Wall Street financial institutions.”
Another resolution chastised Congress for failing to help multi-employer pension funds, despite a massive lobbying and mobilization campaign by the Teamsters.
Delegates on the third day of the Convention also discussed strategies for fighting back in the war on workers unleashed by anti-union politicians who recently came to political power, including the need to be politically active and to contribute to DRIVE, the Teamster political action committee.
[button class=”readMore” link=”http://www.teamster.org/content/teamsters-pass-resolution-demanding-prosecution-wall-street-ceos-responsible-economic-devast” linking=”new-window” size=”small” type=”simple” title=”Read More” text_color=”#ffffff” bg_color=”#ff6514″]Read More[/button] [button id=”proceedings” class=”proceedings” link=”http://www.teamster.org/sites/teamster.org/files/WednesdayProceedings.pdf” linking=”new-window” size=”small” type=”simple” title=”Download proceedings” text_color=”#ffffff” bg_color=”#0066cc”]Download Proceedings[/button]
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Day Two: Organizing, Organizing, Organizing
Originally Posted: Thursday, June 28, 2011
Source: Teamster.org
If there was one takeaway from Monday’s session, it was that the recent assault on workers wasn’t going to fade away.
“Their greed knows no end,” said Bob Bouvier, president of Teamsters Canada. The war on workers he said, is not just in the U.S., it’s not just in Canada, it’s not just in Puerto Rico, it’s around the world.
“They’re not going to get us, we’re going to get them,” he said.
And so a resolution to Stop the War on Workers was passed unanimously.
International Vice President Tyson Johnson gave a no-nonsense account of the dangers in opening the border to dangerous Mexican trucks. Mario Leva, a shop steward with Local 745, described the dangers of Mexico’s violent drug cartels across the border from his home in El Paso. A resolution opposing the latest pilot program to open the border to Mexican trucks won unanimous support. So did a resolution to support public workers.
The Teamsters enthusiastically supported a resolution to “continue to fight and to lobby against any trade agreement that does not increase jobs in the U.S. and protect workers’ rights.” And following speeches on right-to-work bills to destroy unions, Teamsters endorsed a resolution that opposing right to work “should remain a paramount priority for the Teamsters Union, working families, and allies throughout the country as to ensure that a strong and vibrant American middle class continues.”
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Day One: Thousands Of Delegates Resolve To Rebuild Middle Class
Originally Posted: Thursday, June 28, 2011
Source: Teamster.org
(LAS VEGAS) – The International Brotherhood of Teamsters opened their 28th International Convention today with plenty of noise and a new resolve to stand up for the American Dream. Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa announced the Teamsters had organized 135,000 new members in the past five years since their last convention – more than any other labor union in North America. Hours later, he announced that more than 3,000 Republic Airways pilots had just voted to join or remain with the Teamsters by a margin of 2-to-1.
“This is how we fight back – we organize,” Hoffa said.
Teamsters International General Secretary-Treasurer Tom Keegel also set the tone early in the day with a vow: “There’s no way they’re going to bust us or take us down because it ain’t gonna happen.”
The convention opened in grand style, living up to its theme of “Vision, Solidarity, Action.” Delegates and guests were treated to a raucous tribute to the union that included images and video that were both current and historic. Members celebrated their role in the fight for workers’ rights as drummers, dancers and Harley Davidson motorcycles revved up the opening ceremony.
International Vice President At Large and President of Joint Council 42 Randy Cammack gaveled the convention to order and starting the first day of the 28th International Convention. The theme of the convention’s first day was, “Stop the War on Workers,” from attacks by extremist politicians, bad trade deals and policies that undermine the middle class.
Delegates passed resolutions to support public workers, to oppose job-killing trade deals, to keep the border closed to dangerous Mexican trucks; to fight against right-to-work bills to destroy unions; and to stop the war on workers.
Teamster delegates unanimously resolved, “that the Teamsters Union will take the opportunity of this 28th International Convention to strengthen the unity and solidarity within our ranks and with all those who are committed to fighting and defeating the War on Workers, as the only effective way to victory.”
The Teamsters, their families and their guests heard from some of the central players in the battleground states over the past six months. Indiana Assembly Minority Leader Patrick Bauer thanked the Teamsters for organizing five weeks of protests in Indianapolis.
Retired Teamster Dave Hansen, fighting for his state Senate seat in Wisconsin, said in a video greeting that the war against workers wasn’t just about unions. “This is truly about the middle class,” Hansen said.
Tom Morello, guitarist for “Rage Against the Machine” who also tours solo as “The Nightwatchman,” led the crowd in “This Land is Your Land.” Morello is a true trade unionist and has shown his unwavering support at protests in Wisconsin and Los Angeles this past year. “It’s up to us to turn the tide, not just to stop a few bad pieces of legislation,” Morello said.
Charlie Andrew, member and PAC Chairman for Teamsters Local 407 in Cleveland, said the Teamsters and their allies would kill SB 5, a new Ohio law that strips collective bargaining rights for government workers, in a November referendum.
“The public understands that unions are the only shot the middle class has,” Andrew said.
According to the Teamster Constitution, the International Convention, which is held every five years, is the supreme policy-making body of the union with the power and authority to modify the Constitution, establish programs, address fiscal issues and set priorities. This week, delegates will consider a number of constitutional measures and resolutions. Delegates also have the important task of nominating candidates for the International offices of General President, General Secretary-Treasurer, Vice President and Trustees.
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents more than 1.4 million hard-working men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Go to www.teamster.org for more information.
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[tab_title]2011 Convention Resolutions[/tab_title]
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Independent Oversight
WHEREAS, the International Union entered into a Consent Decree with the United States on March 14, 1989 to resolve a civil lawsuit titled United States v. Teamsters, and
International Brotherhood Of Teamsters’ Commitment To Encourge And Promote Diversity Of Its Membership At All Levels Within The Organization
WHEREAS, in entering into the Consent Decree, the International Union acknowledged allegations of past problems of organized crime corruption in various elements of the IBT and dedicated the IBT to the elimination of any such outside influence, and […] Read it all here
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International Brotherhood Of Teamsters’ Commitment To Encourge And Promote Diversity Of Its Membership At All Levels Within The Organization
WHEREAS, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters is proud of its history of unifying its diverse group of 1.4 million working men and women from different cultures and ethnic backgrounds to advance their economic, social and political interests; and
WHEREAS, the International Union recognizes that demographics are continually changing as diverse groups are rapidly growing; and […] Read it all here
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High-Speed Rail
WHEREAS, the Teamsters Rail Conference, comprised of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division, supports the development of high-speed passenger rail in America; and
WHEREAS, the development of high speed passenger rail is threatened by many in Congress and several of our nation’s governors, who have politicized the issue; and […] Read it all here
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Coordinated Bargaining & Organizing
WHEREAS, Teamster Local Unions must increasingly bargain with large multinational or national corporations that have grown significantly through acquisitions and consolidation;
WHEREAS, these corporations engage in centralized, sophisticated union-busting activities and attacks on union contracts and members; […] Read it all here
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The Fight to Preserve Jobs and Standards
WHEREAS, the economic crisis that is still with us led to enormous pressure on dozens of Teamster employers, both big and small, to restructure their operations and balance sheets to survive, and
WHEREAS, through decades of collective bargaining the Teamsters Union has achieved contracts in many sectors of the economy that have produced the highest wage and benefit standards in those sectors, and […] Read it all here
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Putting Working Families First, Make Wall Street Pay
WHEREAS, the economic crisis that began in 2008 continues to destroy the jobs, homes, and living conditions of millions of American workers, and
WHEREAS, the economic crisis was generated by a financial crisis whose origins can be found in the reckless profit-at-any-cost policies of the major Wall Street banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions, and […] Read it all here
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DRIVE
WHEREAS, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters maintains a political action committee named “DRIVE” for Democrat, Republican, Independent Voter Education; and
WHEREAS, DRIVE funds are used to support elected officials at all levels of government who support the legislative goals of the Teamsters Union and America’s working families; and […] Read it all here
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2012 Elections
WHEREAS, there will be a presidential election for U.S. president in 2012; and
WHEREAS, there are crucial elections at local, state and federal levels in 2011
and 2012; and
WHEREAS, the need for our Joint Councils and local unions to be more politically active has never been greater; and […] Read it all here
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Organizing
WHEREAS, the best defense in the War on Workers is a strong offense, our goal as a union is to build a movement of workers in and across industries, companies, regions and markets in order to build Teamster power;
WHEREAS, the power of the Teamsters depends on the strength of our numbers and that strength is greatest in those industries and markets where Teamster density is greatest. We are most successful in organizing new workers when we build on existing Teamster power; and […] Read it all here
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Driving Up Standards
WHEREAS, delegates to the 27th Convention resolved that the Teamsters adopt the privatized school bus industry as a priority for organizing;
WHEREAS, the Union resolved to Drive Up Standards for school bus workers, school children, families and communities grappling with the effects of privatization in the school transportation industry; […] Read it all here
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Honorary Member – Mansour Osanloo, Labor Rights in Iran
WHEREAS, in July 2007, Mansour Osanloo, President of the Tehran Bus Workers’ Union, was dragged from a Tehran bus by Iranian security forces. Three months later he was sentenced to five years in prison on charges of “acting against national security” and “propaganda against the state”; in 2010 another year was added to his sentence. His only crime has been to help found a genuinely democratic trade union for his fellow bus drivers in Iran; and ; […] Read it all here
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Global Solidarity and Strategies
As Teamster employers have increasingly become global, we have developed transnational organizing and bargaining campaigns.
WHEREAS, the Teamsters have been a pioneer in labor’s new globalism. In 1995 the Teamsters launched an international strategic campaign against Royal Ahold; in 1997 we initiated a council for UPS unions worldwide that added pressure for a fair settlement; in December 1999 in Seattle the Teamsters were at the forefront of a global labor protest against WTO trade rules, so behemoth corporations do not exploit countries with weak labor laws and environmental standards; and […] Read it all here
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Secure Pensions for Retirement Security
WHEREAS, retirement benefits are part of the compensation negotiated in collective bargaining and earned by covered participants as they perform their labor over the years; and
WHEREAS, the entitlement of workers to receive retirement benefits earned as part of their compensation should be protected from any impairment under our law; and […] Read it all here
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Health and Welfare Benefits
WHEREAS, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters has fought for, and presently sustains, some of the most generous health and welfare benefits in the United States through collective bargaining; and
WHEREAS, Teamster-affiliated health and welfare funds make up one of the largest purchasers and providers of health care benefits in the United States; and […] Read it all here
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Trade
WHEREAS, with record high unemployment in the U.S. and a large trade deficit, future trade policies must focus on job creation in the U.S. based on a new framework for negotiating trade agreements; and
WHEREAS, trade agreements based on the framework of the North American Free-Trade Agreement (NAFTA) have resulted in nearly two million job losses, and do not include worker rights, human rights and environmental protections, and therefore must be rejected; and […] Read it all here
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Stop the War on Workers
WHEREAS, the jobs, wages, and benefits of tens of millions of Americans are under assault by a coordinated War on Workers, and
WHEREAS, the War on Workers is being conducted at every level of American society — in the workplace, in the mass media, in City Halls, State Houses, and the nation’s Capitol, and
[…] Read it all here
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Right-to-Work (For Less)
WHEREAS, throughout the country, corporate CEOs and their conservative allies in governors’ offices, statehouses and Congress are attempting a coordinated War on Workers to eliminate basic workplace rights through an anti-worker legislative agenda; and
WHEREAS, while working families struggle to maintain a high quality of life, these same anti-worker forces are driving down wages and benefits by attempting to pass Right-to-Work (for Less) legislation in at least 10 states, instead of assisting the working families with necessary tools to succeed in the current economic climate; and […] Read it all here
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Protecting Public Employees
WHEREAS, the Teamsters’ representation within the Public Services Division exceeds a quarter of a million dedicated women and men at all levels of government, as well as certain private employers engaged in providing essential services; and
WHEREAS, the ability to effectively serve the public at all levels of government is dependent on the right of public employees to organize and to collectively bargain over wages, benefits, and working conditions; and […] Read it all here
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Cross-Border Trucking
WHEREAS, at the urging of the Teamsters Union, Congress defunded the Bush-era Mexican Cross-Border Trucking Program in 2009 over safety concerns; and
WHEREAS, the Mexican Government retaliated for this action by placing tariffs on $2.4 billion worth of U.S. products exported to Mexico; and
WHEREAS, rather than challenging the tariffs as excessive, the United States Trade Representative, in an effort to eliminate the tariffs, has agreed to a new crossborder trucking program with Mexico, that will permit Mexican domiciled trucks to travel anywhere in the U.S. beyond the currently permitted commercial zones; and […] Read it all here
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PulteGroup Resolution
WHEREAS, residential construction workers in Arizona and Nevada, with the help of the Building Justice Campaign (the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 15 and the Sheet Metal Workers International Association), are fighting to improve their pay, benefits and working conditions and to have a voice in the workplace; and […] Read it all here
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Port Driver Organizing Resolution
WHEREAS, the Teamsters Union is leading an innovative campaign to organize 110,000 port drivers nationwide; and […] Read it all here
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Protecting Teamster Participants from Pension-Destroying Investors
WHEREAS, unbridled excess on Wall Street led to the worst financial crisis in the United States since the Great Depression; and
WHEREAS, this Great Recession has temporarily created losses on investments for almost all types of benefit funds; and […] Read it all here
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Immigration Reform
WHEREAS, the United States is a nation of immigrants founded on the shared ideals and rights of democracy, freedom of speech, religious tolerance and equal opportunity; and
WHEREAS, many immigrants come to the U.S. because of a lack of quality jobs in their home country, a situation made worse by America’s failed trade policies; and […] Read it all here
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Health Care in America
WHEREAS, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters has historically been at the forefront on health issues and continues to be so today; and
WHEREAS, Teamster multiemployer health and welfare funds have provided good health care benefits to Teamster members and their families for over six decades and should be protected, preserved and, if possible enhanced; and […] Read it all here
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Financial Reform
WHEREAS, the nation is struggling to recover from the aftermath of a full-blown global economic crisis and the worst, most prolonged recession in decades; and
WHEREAS, unregulated, risky and speculative actions of financial institutions directly precipitated this recession and the collapse of the financial markets in 2008, led to the foreclosure of millions of homes, caused record investment losses to personal retirement savings accounts and private pension plans, and led to a historically high unemployment rate which still stands at nine percent; and […] Read it all here
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Federal Express
WHEREAS, FedEx continues to hide behind legal loopholes and misclassify employees to keep workers from enjoying the same rights as other similarly situated employees in the industry; and
WHEREAS, FedEx has gone so far as to threaten the United States Congress in order to keep all of its Express division employees under the Railway Labor Act, regardless of whether they ever touch an airplane; and […] Read it all here
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Energy/Green Jobs
WHEREAS, Scientific evidence has confirmed that human use of fossil fuels is undisputedly contributing to global warming, causing rising sea levels, changes in climate patterns and threats to coastal areas; and
WHEREAS, The unemployment rate has hit history-making highs since 2008 and currently stands at nine percent; and […] Read it all here
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International Brotherhood of Teamsters’ Commitment to Helping Members and Communities in Need Through the Teamsters Disaster Relief Fund
WHEREAS, the Teamsters Disaster Relief Fund is a charitable 501 (c)(3) fund established in 1991 to assist victims of natural disasters long after the media has forgotten; and the Teamsters Disaster Relief Fund is a charitable 501 (c)(3) fund established in 1991 to assist victims of natural disasters long after the media has forgotten; and
WHEREAS, the fund receives donations from local unions and their affiliates; and
WHEREAS, collections from the fund may not be distributed to specific disaster areas until those areas have been declared disaster zones by the federal government; and […] Read it all here
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Coalition Bargaining Resolution
WHEREAS, the cornerstone for successful collective bargaining has historically been unity in purpose and solidarity in action; and
WHEREAS, as one of the oldest industries in the United States, the railroad industry, was organized along craft lines and continues to have a dozen unions representing railroad workers; and […] Read it all here
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Transportation Safety
WHEREAS, whether by land, sea or air, the Teamsters Union represents hundreds of thousands of transportation workers who move cargo and people throughout the United States, and;
WHEREAS, these workers perform their duties in non-traditional workplaces such as a truck, bus or locomotive cab, an airplane cockpit, a tollbooth, along railroad tracks and highways, at airports and at seaports, and deserve a safe and healthy work environment, and; […] Read it all here
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Truck Size and Weight
WHEREAS, the trucking industry is lobbying Congress to increase truck size and weight, and;
WHEREAS, our highways and bridges are in such disrepair that these increases will only serve to further deteriorate our infrastructure, and;
WHEREAS, adding a sixth axle to a 97,000-pound single trailer truck may mitigate highway pavement damage, it will not help to reduce the actual weight of that vehicle on a bridge and will increase bridge damage, and; […] Read it all here
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Union Label Printing
WHEREAS, the printing trades have evolved from the slow, labor-intensive hand press of Guttenberg to the fast-paced digital printing that is available today, and
WHEREAS, printing trade unions and their members have fostered and embraced those evolutions, while assuring that the people who are producing the printed products are well trained, capable and skilled craft workers who are compensated with reasonable benefits and paid a fair wage, and […] Read it all here
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National Days of Action: A Campaign to Defend and Expand Labor Rights & Power
WHEREAS, the attacks on the trade unions as the main defenders and promoters of worker rights has intensified, allowing the corporations to restructure the economy in ways that have that forced down wages, the standard of living of workers, and decimated the base of organized labor in the private sector;
WHEREAS, since 1984, the overall decline in the number of private sector union members has been at 1.7% annually, declining from 11.6 million in 1984 to slightly over 7 million in 2004; […] Read it all here
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National Sanitation Organizing
WHEREAS, the power of the Teamsters Union depends on the strength of our members; andWHEREAS, Teamsters are able to bargain for the strongest contracts in those industries where the union represents the highest percentage of workers in that industry; and
WHEREAS, strong density in any given industry raises the standards for all workers, even those not represented by a union contract; and […] Read it all here
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Teamsters Local 2010 Contract Struggle
WHEREAS, the University of California is one of the nation’s largest university systems, with 10 campuses, five medical centers and three national laboratories;
WHEREAS, the University of California negotiates with eight different unions about the employment terms of more than 60,000 of its employees statewide; […] Read it all here
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Worker Misclassification
WHEREAS, statistical evidence has proven that the practice of worker misclassification has skyrocketed over the last twenty-five years at a rate of 7% increase annually, negatively impacting workers and businesses which play by the rules, and both state and federal governments in that a handful of bad-acting employers receive an unfair advantage over competitors. In fact, studies indicate up to 48% of all independent contractors nationwide may be misclassified employees; and
WHEREAS, workers who are misclassified as independent contactors are stripped of the basic human right to associate with unions and basic workplace protections, including but not limited to the National Labor Relations Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, OSHA, and even the Americans with Disabilities Act. Additionally, misclassified workers are not protected under state workers’ compensation systems, unemployment insurance, and disability benefits. Most egregiously, these workers are highly unlikely to have any healthcare or retirement benefits due to misclassification; and […] Read it all here
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Strategic Campaign and Teamster Organizing Models
WHEREAS, the Strategic Campaign and Teamster Organizing Models are key to both building Teamster power and maintaining strong contracts and job stability for our members;
WHEREAS, employers routinely exploit weak labor laws to resist worker organizing;
WHEREAS, employers are taking advantage of the current economic crisis to demand concessions at the bargaining table, especially on issues of pension, benefits, and wages; […] Read it all here
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Supporting the NLRB
WHEREAS, Congress created the National Labor Relations Board more than 75 years ago by passing the National Labor Relations Act;
WHEREAS, the National Labor Relations Act sought to remedy unfair labor practices used by employers to prevent unionization and cripple workers’ economic strength;
WHEREAS, President Franklin Roosevelt said the purpose of the NLRA is to prevent practices that tend to destroy the independence of labor and seek freedom of choice and action to which workers are justly entitled; […] Read it all here
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Social Security/Medicare
WHEREAS, Social Security has operated as a retirement security program for more than 75 years and provides a substantial safety net for more than 53 million Americans, including retirees, the disabled, children and families; and Medicare has provided quality affordable health care for nearly 45 million Americans annually since 1965; and
WHEREAS, the 2008 financial collapse demonstrated the instability of our financial markets and devastated Americans’ private pensions and 401k plans, causing record single-year investment losses of 37%; and […] Read it all here
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[tab_title]2011 Election Results[/tab_title]
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IBT President and General Secretary-Treasurer
The Rules for the 2010-2011 IBT International Union Delegate and Officer Election (“Rules”) provide that candidates for General President and General Secretary-Treasurer nominated from the floor must receive at least 5 percent of the delegate votes cast in order to be nominated for the ballot. The results of the secret ballot for candidates for IBT General President and General Secretary-Treasurer are as follows:
Total Votes Cast: 1,610
5-percent threshold: 81
General President: James P. Hoffa 1,326; Fred Gegare 141; Sandy Pope 137
General Secretary-Treasurer: Ken Hall 1,269; Jim Sheard 156; Gary Marquart 143
IBT Regional Vice Presidents
The Rules for the 2010-2011 IBT International Union Delegate and Officer Election (“Rules”) provide that candidates for Regional Vice President nominated from the floor must receive at least 5 percent of the delegate votes cast by delegates from local unions within their geographic region. The results of the secret ballot vote for Regional Vice President (by region) are as follows:
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Eastern Region Vice President
Total Votes Cast: 463. 5-Percent Threshold: 24.
- Sean M. O’Brien 397
- John F. Murphy 380
- Daniel Kane Sr. 379
- William Hamilton 372
- Robert Ryder 52
- John D. Farrish 49
- Rick E. Bauer 40
- James Anderson 38
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Central Region Vice President
Total Votes Cast: 480. 5-Percent Threshold: 24.
- John T. Coli 344
- Gordon Sweeton 336
- Brian R. Buhle 328
- Stephen E. Pocztowski 300
- Fred Zuckerman 130
- Jerry Conner 123
- Tony Jones 120
- Brad Slawson Sr. 114
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Western Region Vice President
Total Votes Cast: 407. 5-Percent Threshold: 21.
- Randy Cammack 378
- Steven Vairma 375
- Rick Middleton 370
- Richard Galvan 15
- Kevin Hardison 11
- Vickie Jackson 9
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Southern Region Vice President
Total Votes Cast 141. 5-Percent Threshold 8.
- Kenneth “Ken” Wood 132
- Tyson Johnson 125
- Aaron Belk 11
- John Haley 4
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IBT Vice Presidents At–Large and Trustees
The Rules for the 2010-2011 IBT International Union Delegate and Officer Election provide that candidates for IBT Vice President At-Large and International Trustee must receive at least 5 percent of the delegate votes cast in order to be nominated for the ballot.
The results of the secret ballot vote for candidates for IBT Vice President At-Large and International Trustee are as follows:
Total Votes Cast: 1629. 5-percent threshold: 82
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Vice Presidents At-Large
- Rome A. Aloise 1,398
- Al Mixon 1,373
- George L. Miranda 1,369
- George Tedeschi 1,327
- Fred Potter 1,312
- Freddie Simpson 1,283
- Ferline Buie 1,261
- Henry Perry 243
- Floyd F. Prusinski 187
- Kelly Cassidy 177
- Margaret Marie Sik 171
- John Farwell III 158
- Mike Philbeck 154
- Marc R. Dreves 144
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Trustees
- Ron Herrera 1,385
- Jim Kabell 1,333
- Kevin D. Moore 1,283
- Tom Bennett 221
- Beth Kirchman 186
- Durie Downey 170
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[tab_title]The Koch Brothers[/tab_title]
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Koch Industries, the private company of the billionaire Koch brothers Charles and David, is an oil and gas, chemicals, cattle, forestry, and synthetics giant — and also a major force for punishing Main Street Americans. Charles and David Koch (pronounced “coke”) have directed many millions of their shared $43 billion net worth into a vast propaganda machine that’s corrupting American politics in order to reward their pollution-based enterprise. The Koch brothers have played an integral role in provoking Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s (R) notorious attempt to crush Wisconsin’s public sector unions. Koch Industries contributed $43,000 to Walker’s gubernatorial campaign, and Koch political operatives encouraged the newly elected governor to take on the unions. Koch Industries is a major player in Wisconsin: Koch owns a coal company subsidiary with facilities in Green Bay, Manitowoc, Ashland and Sheboygan; six timber plants throughout the state; and a large network of pipelines. Since the showdown began two weeks ago, Koch-funded front groups like Americans for Prosperity (AFP) — which is chaired by David Koch — and the American Legislative Exchange Council have organized counter-protests, prepped GOP lawmakers with anti-labor legislative talking points and even announced an anti-union advertising campaign. For now, however, the AFP message doesn’t appear to be resonating: Koch-backed pro-Walker demonstrations have had low attendance and were dwarfed by pro-union supporters in Madison this week.
KNEE-CAPPING UNIONS : In a speech earlier this month at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Americans For Prosperity-Michigan Executive Director Scott Hagerstrom revealed the true goal of his group and allies like Walker. Speaking at CPAC’s “Panel for Labor Policy,” Hagerstrom said that even more than cutting taxes and regulations, AFP really wants to “take the unions out at the knees .” Knee-capping free labor has long been a goal of the Koch brothers and their many front groups. In the run-up to the 2010 elections, the Kochs worked with other anti-labor billionaires, corporations and activists to fund conservative candidates and groups across the country. Now after viciously opposing pro-middle class policies for years, Koch Industries is trying to eliminate the only organizations which serve as a counterweight to its well-oiled corporate machine. Believing he was talking with David Koch, Walker told a prankster his plans to crush the unions. Koch’s AFP operatives are now working with “state officials in Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania to urge them to duplicate Walker’s crusade in Wisconsin.”
PUSHING POISON : According to EPA databases, Koch businesses are huge polluters, emitting thousands of pounds of toxic pollutants. As soon as he got into office, Walker started cutting environmental regulations and appointed a Republican known for her disregard for environmental regulations to lead the Department of Natural Resources. In addition, Walker has stated his opposition to clean energy jobs policies that might draw workers away from Koch-owned interests. The Koch political poison has spread across the nation. Robocalls from Koch’s Americans for Prosperity group flooded New Hampshire in support of a bill that would repeal participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), which has cut greenhouse pollution and created 1,130 jobs as a result of energy efficiency benefits. AFP climate deniers in New Jersey are trying to kill RGGI there as well. Koch’s main man in Congress, Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-KS), inserted an amendment to slash EPA funding in the House GOP’s already wildly anti-environment budget. Koch’s many subsidiaries have filed challenges against health and environmental rules from toxic chemical disclosure to dumping in streams.
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