Local #174 Teamster News Archives
August 2012

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New Leadership at Washington Teamsters JC 28
Posted: August 31, 2012
Source: JC 28 Rick Hicks
Tukwila, WA – Effective September 1, 2012, Rick Hicks will assume the presidency of Teamsters Joint Council 28, the parent body of twelve Teamster Locals representing approximately 56,000 union members across Washington State, Alaska, and northern Idaho.

“The Teamsters in the Pacific Northwest are dedicated to expanding the rights, wages and benefits of working families through political action, organizing, and strong representation,” Hicks said. “I plan to aggressively pursue those goals.”

Hicks joined the Teamsters in 1981 as a rank-and-file part-timer at United Parcel Service while attending college. He has been a Trustee on the JC28 Executive Board since 2010. He is also the principal officer of Teamsters Local 174, one of the most prominent truck driving Locals in the Teamsters Union.

Hicks will maintain his position with Local 174 while assuming the duties of JC28 President, which include political action and coordination with other Local Unions throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Joint Council 28 consists of Local Unions with main offices in Tukwila, Everett, Bellingham, Bremerton, Port Angeles, Tacoma, Centralia, Pasco, Yakima, Spokane, and Anchorage, Alaska.

Hicks will replace John A. Williams, who is wrapping up a 38-year career as a Teamster representative. Williams served as the Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 117 from 1992 to 2008 and most recently as the Director of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Warehouse Division.

“Williams is an outstanding labor leader who has had a remarkable career representing the interests of working people. It is an honor to succeed him as President of Joint Council 28, and I will do everything in my power to build on his legacy,” Hicks said.

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Hoffa Says Republican Convention Message Is, 'Middle Class Hasn't Suffered Enough'
Posted: August 31, 2012
Source: Teamster.org
Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa issued the following statement today regarding the Republican National Convention:

“The Republicans’ message is, ‘The middle class hasn’t suffered enough,’” Hoffa said.

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Teamsters reach deal with SuperMom's, end lock-out
Posted: August 31, 2012
Source: Twin Cities.com
Drivers for SuperMom's bakery have reached a new 2-year contract that ends a lock-out, the bakery's parent corporation said Thursday, Aug. 30.

The settlement between Teamsters Local 120 and Northern Tier Energy LP was reached late Wednesday afternoon, said Christine Carnicelli, Northern Tier Energy spokeswoman.

The bakery's 22 drivers began making deliveries again to area SuperAmerica stores Thursday, Carnicelli said.

Brad Slawson Jr., president of Teamsters Local 120, confirmed the settlement.
Read the complete source story here.

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Register for Teamsters School Bus Workers Congress
Posted: August 31, 2012
Source: Teamster Nation
Register now to attend the 2012 School Bus Workers' Congress/Campaign Summit taking place September 28-30, 2012. This year's summit will be held at the Hilton Chicago O'Hare Airport Hotel, located at 10000 Bessie Coleman Drive, Chicago, Illinois  60666.  
 
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Hilton at a room rate of $129.00 per night.
 
You can make room reservations one of two ways:

Hotel Reservations must be made by September 7, 2012 to receive the group rate.

Register for the conference

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Local 700 Wins Landmark Court Decision on Public Policy
Posted: August 31, 2012
Source: Teamster.org
From 1999-2006, Thomas Morano was a garage foreman in Facilities Management at the University of Illinois-Chicago. The university fired him in 2007. In the five years since, the Teamsters Local 700 member has been unable to find another full-time job. He’s lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in wages, he’s faced foreclosure on his home and his family has struggled without health insurance.

“I fell through the cracks,” Morano said. “The university pushed me through the cracks.”

The only group stopping him from falling further into the abyss was the Teamsters Union, which helped the floor beneath Morano’s feet grow sturdy once again this month. On Friday, Aug. 24, Illinois’ 4th District Appellate Court sided with Local 700 to set a new legal precedent for the court’s power to determine public policy and overturn erroneous decisions by state labor boards.

It’s a landmark ruling that may ultimately get Morano, 59, back to work, and help the Teamster reclaim the wages and benefits denied to him over the last half-decade.

“This has been a long time coming,” Morano said. “Words cannot describe how thankful I am for my union.”

Labor Board Flip-Flops
Morano was hired into the garage unit in July 1999 and moved through the ranks to foreman by 2005. Early the next year, he was arrested at home on a charge unrelated to work and entered into a last-chance, probationary agreement with the university in November 2006. Eight months later, without further incident, UIC’s then-Chancellor Sylvia Manning made an executive decision to fire the Teamster member.

“The Teamsters went to bat for Morano immediately, entering arbitration to challenge the university’s sudden and unjust termination,” said Kevin Camden, Local 700 General Counsel. “Management took the position that an infraction outside of the university somehow violated a public policy prohibiting violence on college campuses. They argued this position despite our member’s flawless job performance over eight years. Their baseless claim really became the crux of this case.”

An arbitrator agreed with the Teamsters in late 2008, ordering Morano’s reinstatement at work. Despite the arbitration award, UIC ignored the ruling for years and failed to reach an agreement with the local through several rounds of mediation in 2010. Finally, an administrative law judge with the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board (IELRB) was forced to respond to the Teamsters’ unfair labor practice charge.
Read the complete source story here.

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Fight backroom deals for the 1%
Posted: August 30, 2012
Show Us The Text!!!Source: Teamster Nation
Teamsters from the Capitol Region will protest the 14th round of secret talks for the latest job-killing trade deal in Leesburg, Va., on Sunday. Many social justice organizations want the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) to be negotiated in the open. They include unions, environmental, public health, family farm, consumer, and Occupy.

Here's what the International Brotherhood of Teamsters is telling its members in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia.

The TPP is poised to become the largest job-killing trade deal Free Trade Agreement in U.S. history.  Approximately 600 corporate lobbyists have been granted access to the negotiating texts, while the general public is barred from even reviewing what U.S. negotiators are proposing in our names.  If it continues on its current course, the TPP is likely to:
  • Offshore good-paying jobs to low-wage nations and undercut working conditions globally 
  • Create new tools for attacking environmental and consumer safety policies 
  • Deregulate Wall Street banks, hedge funds and insurance companies 
  • Further concentrate global food supplies, displacing family farmers and subjecting consumers to wild price fluctuations 
  • Lengthen patents thereby blocking access to affordable, generic medications 

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JRHMSF Essay Contest Accepting Applications
Posted: August 30, 2012
Source: Teamster.org
The James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund (JRHMSF) Essay Contest is now open for applications. This year, 50 students will be awarded $1,000.00 in scholarships.

The deadline for the JRHMSF Essay Contest is September 30, 2012.

The following Essay Contest information is available for download in English and French versions:

Visit the James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund Information Center for program regulations and eligibility requirements.

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Scott Walker: Radical chic
Posted: August 29, 2012
Scott WalkerSource: Salon
On Tuesday, Republican delegates approved a platform The Washington Times had called the most conservative in party history. “It’s an indictment, it’s a blueprint, and it’s a declaration of values,” Virginia Governor and Platform Committee Chair Bob McDonnell told the assembled delegates. It’s also a full-on embrace of the same anti-union agenda that helped earn Scott Walker and Nikki Haley their Tuesday night speaking slots. The new platform reflects a Republican Party even more hostile to organized labor than the one that nominated John McCain four years ago.

Perhaps the most dramatic shift in the platform’s language is on “Right to Work,” legislation that makes it illegal for unions and companies to sign contracts requiring that everyone represented by a union help pay the costs of negotiating and enforcing contracts. Twenty-three states have passed such laws, effectively making it harder for unions to maintain and grow their strength, and easier for companies to pick on union supporters, or suspend union recognition entirely.

The 2008 platform affirmed “the right of states to enact Right-to-Work laws” in the same breath as the right of workers to bargain collectively. In contrast, the 2012 version “encourage[s]” states to pass such laws, and endorses “the enactment of a National Right-to-Work law to promote worker freedom and to promote greater economic liberty.” In January, Romney told a debate audience, “Right to Work legislation makes a lot of sense for New Hampshire and for the nation.”

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels cemented his conservative rock star role by signing a “Right to Work” law in February. But in a sign of its lightning rod status, some of the GOP’s most prominent anti-union swing state Governors, including Michigan’s Rick Snyder and Wisconsin’s (then pre-recall) Scott Walker, have claimed not to want “Right to Work” fights in their states.

The new platform also takes a more hostile stance towards construction unions, demanding “an end to the Project Labor Agreements” and “repeal of the Davis-Bacon Act.” Both PLAs and Davis-Bacon establish wage standards for construction projects, making it easier for contractors that use union labor to compete with cheaper non-union contractors for work (Davis-Bacon covers federal contracts; PLAs are project-specific agreements). That’s not all they have in common: Both have drawn support from dozens of current House Republicans, stymieing legislative attacks. Among those who’ve voted to defend Davis-Bacon in the past? Paul Ryan, whose family runs its construction company with union labor. While the new platform calls for abolishing PLAs and Davis-Bacon, neither was mentioned in the 2008 document.

The new platform is at least as antagonistic towards public sector unions, a favorite punching bag of the modern GOP.
Read the complete source story here.

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Tacoma Council executes new contract with Teamsters Local 117, calling for pay raises amid grim budget forecast
Posted: August 29, 2012
Source: The News Tribune
Tacoma’s City Council unanimously executed a new contract for 239 city employees across various departments today — an agreement that will cost the city about $125,000 more per year in pay raises covered by the next general fund budget.

The council’s action will increase pay for Teamsters Local Union No.117 bargaining unit members by 2.7 percent next year, including raises for 34 employees who are paid out of the financially strapped general fund.

The move comes amid a projected $60 million budget shortfall in 2013-14.

Several council members stressed this week that, despite a new contract with pay raises, the city will seek to negotiate pay and health care concessions from all of the city’s 29 bargaining units in the coming weeks to help Tacoma balance its next budget.

“There’s no way to solve that big of a budget hole without labor concessions,” Jake Fey said Monday. “It’s either that or deeper cuts and layoffs, so I think it’s in the best interest of our labor partners to work with us at the bargaining table.”

Jeff Clark, business representative for Local 117, noted today that members of his bargaining unit already agreed to wage freezes in 2011 and 2012 as part of the new agreement.

“Those are concessions we’ve already bargained,” Clark said.

He added union members are “always willing to talk to the city” amid the ongoing budget realities.
Read the complete source story here.

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BMWED Member Breaks Glass Ceiling
Posted: August 29, 2012
Source: Teamster.org
The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes’ Burlington System Division made history on July 11, 2012, when delegates gathered for the quadrennial convention elected the first General Chairwoman.  Staci Moody-Gilbert is the first woman within the BMWED to rise to that position.

While railroads have historically been reluctant to hire women into railroad positions, particularly the maintenance of way department, many talented BMWED women are proving railroading is not just for men.  Gilbert is one of those women.

After serving in the U. S. Navy for seven years, Gilbert went to work for the former BN Railroad, now the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF).  Gilbert began as a Track Laborer on April 12, 1993, but quickly gained seniority in a number of positions in the Track Sub-department including, Machine Operator, Truck Driver, Welder Grinder, Welder Helper, Assistant Foreman, and Foreman.  She also worked for a while in the Bridge and Building Sub-department as a B&B Truck Driver, 2nd Class B&B Mechanic, and 1st Class B&B Mechanic.

Gilbert began her career with the BMWED in 2005 when she was appointed to the position of Assistant to the General Chairman, and later served as the Burlington System Division's Claims and Grievance Coordinator.  Proving her ability and talent for representing the membership, she was rewarded in 2010 when the members elected her to serve as the Vice General Chairwoman for the Central Region. That same year she was also elected to serve as Vice Chairwoman for the BMWED Northwest Region Association, a position she held until 2012, when she became the Association's Secretary-Treasurer.  She also serves as the Secretary-Treasurer for Local Lodge 1214 in Hastings, Nebraska.

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Aug. 28th Hostess Update
Posted: August 28, 2012
Source: Teamster.org
There have been some misleading articles about the final offer and it appears that there is some confusion about the equity component of the offer.

To be clear, according to the final offer, if the company does well and prospers, there could be a cash benefit to the workers that are represented by the Teamsters and other unions. The benefit would not go to the unions, but rather it would go directly to the Hostess employees.

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Every Teamster Has a Story
Words of Wisdom and Courage from the Women’s Conference
Posted: August 27, 2012
Source: Teamster.org

Teamster Women

Darlene Hoy, of Vancouver, British Columbia, has a demanding job as a rock truck driver. The young Local 213 member is the only woman among her 50 co-workers. Thousands of miles away in Salinas, Calif., Eleanor Pineda drives a farm labor bus for Dole Fresh Foods. A Teamster for an incredible 52 years, Pineda, a member of Local 890, gets excited when she talks about her Teamster family and the great life she has led as a union member. Pineda opens her purse to pull out her Teamster contract, which she carries as a reminder that she has rights, that she can speak up for herself and her co-workers, and that she has a voice. View photos from Day 3 of the Women's Conference. View more photos.

Hoy and Pineda pass each other in the same halls where more than 800 Teamsters have converged at the annual Teamsters Women’s Conference in San Francisco. Each of these members has a story to tell—a story of perseverance, resilience, hardship and triumph.

Over the past three days these proud Teamsters have participated in workshops, networked with each other and gained inspiration and information from prominent speakers. They heard from and met with Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa, General Secretary-Treasurer Ken Hall, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), California Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom and San Francisco Fire Department Chief Joanne Hayes-White, among others.
Read the complete source story here.

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Latest TAMC Newsletter Is Ready To Read
Posted: August 25, 2012
Source: Teamster.org
The tenth issue of the TAMC (Teamsters Aviation Mechanics Coalition) newsletter Volume 3, Nuts & Bolts, is out and ready to read.

Click here to read.

The latest newsletter focuses on a number of major current events in the airline industry that are important to both union and nonunion employees, including:

A detailed report on the 18th Annual MRO Americas Conference in April including updates on outsourcing and other trends in the industry;

With so much important news and information in one newsletter, it is essential that this newsletter be distributed to all the aviation mechanics and related members represented by the Teamsters Union. Please take time to read this newsletter and pass it on to your coworkers.

Don’t delay. Read it today!

A prime source of communication between the Teamsters Airline Division and the 18,000 Teamster mechanics and related craft members, the TAMC newsletter contains information about what our union is doing to fight outsourcing, secure wages and benefits and ensure that airline mechanics everywhere are treated with the dignity, respect and fairness they deserve.

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Hoffa Addresses Women’s Conference
Posted: August 25, 2012
Source: Teamster.org
Hoffa Addresses conventionTeamsters General President Jim Hoffa addressed the Women’s Conference on Friday, the second day of the annual event, held in San Francisco. View more photos.

“The spirit is so great here. It’s about being excited to be a Teamster and about what we’re doing together, and that’s why I always enjoy coming here,” Hoffa said. “We’ve got a lot of work to do and the biggest thing we need to do is mobilize Teamsters everywhere for the election.”

Hoffa urged the 800-plus Teamster women to take back their energy and enthusiasm to motivate fellow Teamsters, friends and family to vote.

“The war on workers, the war on women, it’s all the same. Whether it’s in Wisconsin or Ohio, one thing we know is an injury to one is an injury to all,” Hoffa said. “Make sure you vote and that everyone back home votes. The stakes have never been higher.”

Gavin Newsom, California’s Lt. Governor and former mayor of San Francisco, got the crowd excited, calling on Teamster women to stay vigilant in fighting the war on workers.

Newsom talked about Proposition 32, an initiative that has been introduced several times since 1998 in California.

“Proposition 32 does nothing more than shut you down, deny you a voice, and it’s done under this absolutely manipulative frame to somehow suggest that there is an equivalency between individuals that work in big companies and corporations and those that work for labor unions. Nothing could be further from the truth,” Newsom said. “It’s not just about Proposition 32. It’s about the middle class that is at risk if we don’t step in in a big way to defeat Proposition 32 and get President Obama reelected.”

Newsom thanked the Teamster women for holding their conference and for all they do in standing up for working people.

“You gave us the 40 hour work week, weekends, pensions, retirement security, paid sick leave, minimum wage, social security, Medicare. You gave us the tools to build the most vibrant middle class of any democracy in history, and that’s what’s at stake in this election.”

Joanne Hayes-White, chief of the San Francisco Fire Department and the first female chief of the largest urban fire department in the world, thanked Teamster women for the pivotal role they play in improving the lives of working men and women in San Francisco.

Chief Hayes-White presented Women’s Conference Director Sue Mauren with a proclamation on behalf of the city and the mayor, proclaiming August 24, 2012, Teamsters Women’s Day in San Francisco.

“We have approximately 16 percent women in uniform in San Francisco, leading the nation. We’re proving women can do this job,” Hayes-White said. “When we drive by in the fire truck and a little girl looks up and sees someone that looks like her, she now considers that a career option.”

Jody Johnson, a member of Local 150 in Sacramento, Calif., was presented with this year’s Teamster Women Activist Award.

Johnson, a YRC Freight clerk, participated in a program on how to train others in hazardous material instruction. She now provides her co-workers with advance safety in her workplace.

“The Teamsters have given me the opportunity to reach out to my fellow Teamsters and share with them how they can keep themselves safe in their working environment. I just want to say thank you for this award,” Johnson said.

“You are a leader we can all emulate. Thank you for all that you do,” Hoffa said to Johnson.  

The 2012 Teamsters Women’s Conference continues Friday afternoon with dozens of educational workshops on labor law, steps to financial security, social networking, strategic planning for business agents, and much more.

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I Love Coming to the Women’s Conference!
Posted: August 25, 2012
Kelly Rivera-CraineSource: Teamster.org
Note: This is a first-person account of Kelly Rivera-Craine, a member of Teamsters Local 332 in Flint, Mich. She is attending the Teamsters Women’s Conference in San Francisco.

I love coming to the Women’s Conference! It gets me pumped up and motivated. We went through negotiations this year at Genesys Health System, where I work as a registered nurse. This conference gets me recharged and ready to go back to my local and my job. We are excited to have 20 women here from Local 332.

At the conference today we heard from President Hoffa. He was inspirational. He’s an awesome speaker.  President Hoffa and Gavin Newsom, the lieutenant governor of California, both talked about getting people out to vote. It’s our right and it’s one of the reasons I became a shop steward, because I don’t want to sit back. I decided to try and make a change. When I see people not voting, it’s like why are you complaining? Everyone needs to get out and vote.

We also heard from Joanne Hayes-White, the chief of the San Francisco Fire Department. She made a comment about grabbing on to opportunities and about never knowing what you can do until you try. Fire fighters are predominantly male, so to see what she has done while raising a family shows that if you really work hard, you can do it.

My mother was my inspiration. She also raised a family, while going back to school. She was an inspiration for me to get my college degree. My father is very important to me. He was a union member and I love that we can “talk union” now that I’m a Teamster and a shop steward.

The Women’s Conference is a great experience and I encourage Teamsters to come to this conference.  It leaves all of us feeling like we can take on anything!

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Women’s Conference Kicks Off in San Francisco
Posted: August 24, 2012
Source: Teamster.org
The 2012 Teamsters Women’s Conference kicked off in downtown San Francisco on Thursday, bringing together more than 800 Teamsters from across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. View more photos.

Day One“The coldest winter I ever saw was the summer in San Francisco,” Mark Twain once joked. Despite a chill in the air outdoors, inside the Hilton Union Square, Teamster women brought their warmth, energy and excitement to the 12th annual conference themed, “Teamster Women: Building Power by the Bay.”

Sue Mauren, Director of the Women’s Conference, welcomed the participants to the three-day event, which features an impressive lineup of speakers, workshops and networking opportunities. The conference also informs and educates Teamsters on how they can fight against the war on workers by mobilizing and exercising their right to vote.

“This is such a critical time for union members, both in the United States and Canada. We have experienced unrelenting attacks on workers by corporate-backed politicians. Public employees are being wrongfully blamed for our economy, not the CEOs or Wall Street who caused the mess,” Mauren said. “For the 835 Teamsters in this room, our message is, ‘We are Teamsters and when we are under attack, we get loud, we get proud, we get organized and we fight back!’”

“We are fortunate to have a lot of female leadership in the Bay Area and three female principal officers in our Joint Council,” said Rome Aloise, International Vice President, President of Joint Council 7 and Secretary-Treasurer of Local 853 in San Francisco. “We are excited to welcome you to our great town.”

The crowd cheered when Aloise said, “Our union needs to celebrate the fact that we have strong, independent, articulate women members and leaders.”

Aloise called on the Teamster women to get involved, noting that Proposition 32, on the ballot this fall, would take away the ability of unions to participate in the political process on a statewide level in California. Such legislation, if it were to pass in California, could spread to other states.

Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer Ken Hall addressed the crowd about politics, stressing the urgency of this election year for working people.

“I cannot tell you how important this election is. In Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio and all over the country, there is an attack on workers. We need your support to make sure we elect Barack Obama as president. We’re all in this together and we all need to work together,” said Hall, a 36-year Teamster, in his first address to the Women’s Conference as the union’s General Secretary-Treasurer.

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) called the upcoming presidential election “a stark choice between two visions for America.”

“If we don’t win this election, the middle class of this country is going to slowly disappear and the middle class is what built this country. We cannot let that happen,” Boxer said.

“Teamster women should lead the way to energize the vote. Teamsters stand against sexist, racist, anti-worker legislation when politicians try to pass it, and right-to-work (for less) will be the law of the land if Romney is successful,” said International Vice President George Miranda, who hosted last year’s Teamsters Women’s Conference in New York.

The 2012 Teamsters Women’s Conference continues on Friday with a number of speakers, including Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa and California Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom.

Follow up-to-the-minute coverage of the Teamsters Women’s Conference on www.teamster.org, “Teamsters” on Facebook and @Teamsters on Twitter.

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Pilots At Allegiant Air Vote To Join Teamsters
Posted: August 24, 2012
Source: Teamster.org
Pilots at Allegiant Air have voted to join the Airline Professionals Association (APA), Teamsters Local 1224 in Wilmington, Ohio, the Teamsters Airline Division announced today. There are approximately 350 pilots in the bargaining unit.

Allegiant Air, subsidiary of Las Vegas-based Allegiant Travel Company, employs pilots flying McDonnell Douglas MD80’s and Boeing 757’s. Pilots want fair work rules, improved scheduling, improved pension and health care benefits and the security of a Teamster contract.

“This election is a major victory for Allegiant Air pilots,” said Capt. David Bourne, Director of the Teamsters Airline Division. “The Teamsters Union stands ready to assist these pilots in securing their future with Allegiant Air.”

“The pilots of Allegiant have spoken and chosen to be represented by the Teamsters,” said Corey Berger, an Allegiant pilot. “We look forward to working with management to build a career airline and strong company. We also thank the Teamsters Airline Division, Local 1224 and the 1.4 million Teamsters for their continued support.”

“We look forward to representing the pilots of Allegiant Air as they begin negotiating their first contract,” said Daniel C. Wells, President of APA Local 1224. “But even beyond the scope of representation, we are excited about their future participation and professional contributions to our local and the Teamsters.”

“Throughout their drive to organize as Teamsters, I consistently saw a steadfast commitment among the Allegiant Air pilots to secure a voice in their workplace and in their future,” said Traey Liggett, an International Union Representative. “They are true unionists who understand the value of working together to advance the working conditions of their crew force.”

Teamsters Local 1224 now represents flight crew members employed by ABX Air, Allegiant Air, Atlas Air, Cape Air, Horizon Airways, Kalitta Air, Miami Air, Omni Air International, Silver Airways and Southern Air.

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Attorney Josh McInerney: Legal Precedent and Practice Supports Teamster Position on Reopening Contract at AA
Posted: August 24, 2012
Source: Teamster.org
In case there are still doubts about the Teamsters’ ability to reopen the contract for mechanics and related at American Airlines, a new video from Attorney Josh McInerney settles this point once and for all. Citing past legal precedents and practical examples, McInerney confirms that if American Airlines mechanics and related workers choose the Teamsters as our bargaining representative, the Teamsters Union can indeed renegotiate our contract – and they will!

Click here to watch the video.

The Teamsters will fight for American Airlines mechanics and related workers. No other organization appears to be prepared or able to fight for what is right for us.

“It is my legal opinion, and that of the Teamsters, that a newly-certified union may file a Section 6 bargaining reopener and that a carrier is then obligated to bargain with that new union over the terms of a new contract,” says McInerney, who has worked with the Teamster Airline Division for 12 years.

“This opinion is based on legal precedent and practical experience,” he adds.
Read the complete source story here.

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Teamsters President Hoffa: "We Have To Fight" To Stop Right-To-Work
Posted: August 23, 2012
Source: Real Clear Politics
Hoffa video linkJames Hoffa, president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, tells Jennifer Granholm that the first thing Romney would do is push for a national "right-to-work" law to restrict the rights of unions.

"The unions are part of the American society. We play an important role. Business plays an important role. There is a political link. We are all part of a fabric that makes this country run. They don't accept us as being there. They want to knock us out. And that's what we have to fight. And if we can explain that to our members, I think we can get that through," Hoffa said.

Last September, Hoffa threatened the GOP at a union event where President Obama spoke.

"President Obama, this is your army. We are ready to march. Let's take these son of bitches out and give America back to an America where we belong," Hoffa said about Republicans.

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MLKCLC Looking For Picnic Help
Posted: August 23, 2012
The annual M. L. King County Labor Council Labor Day Celebration is less than two weeks away and they are are still looking for a few additional volunteers to help make the event run smoothly. "We have shifts available on the set-up crew (8:30 – 10:00 a.m.), at the soda shelter throughout the event, and with traffic and clean-up duties. Let us know when you’re available to help and we’ll get you just the right shift!"

Call (206)441-8510 if you can help out, or if you want more info.

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Davis Wire Members Approve a Contract and End Their Strike
Posted: August 22, 2012
Source: Tracey A. Thompson, Local 117 Secretary-Treasurer
After three full months on strike, our Davis Wire members made the extremely difficult decision last Thursday to ratify a contract and return to work.   While the ratified Last, Best and Final offer included annual wage increases that we believe will offset increases in health care costs during the term of the agreement, the Company also included a poison pill – eight  replacement workers will continue to work and will displace some of our members for up to six months.   There being no rational business reason for this poison pill, it seems clear that it was intended only to break the indomitable spirit of these workers.

Our Davis Wire members ratified a contract and are returning to work, but the fight to improve their working conditions and economic security, and to hold this Company accountable, does not end with ratification of a contract.  The fight takes a new direction and moves inside.   

I have said many times that the men at Davis Wire are my heroes.  Their vote on Thursday was another heroic act.    They looked into their own hearts and those of the brothers with whom they’ve been standing, they considered the struggles that many of them are facing, they realized that they could continue to fight their employer from the inside, and they made the difficult decision to end their strike.  I trust you will see this courageous act for what it is, and continue to honor and support these amazing workers.

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Book coverTeamsters help write the book on saving the airline industry
Source: Teamster Nation
Why has air travel become so miserable? It's fraught with delays, lost luggage, fees, congestion and all manner of unpleasantness.

A recently published book by consumer advocate and journalist William McGee examines the airline industry’s race to the bottom and what we can do to stop it. He quotes Teamster leaders in the book, Attention all Passengers: The Airlines’ Dangerous Decent – and How to Reclaim Our Skies.

McGee, a former airline dispatcher, links the industry's degeneration to executives’ relentless efforts to cut costs. They outsource aircraft maintenance and farm out flights to smaller regional carriers. The results have been devastating for travelers and workers -- but lucrative for legacy airlines. They've made billions from checked baggage alone.

Among his many interviews with industry experts,  McGee sat down with both Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa and director of the Teamsters Airline Division, Capt. David Bourne. McGee also interviewed Airline Division representative Chris Moore and United Airlines mechanic Dave Saucedo, both of whom are on the Teamsters Aviation Mechanics Coalition steering committee. He also interviewed pilots, mechanics, flight attendants, CEOs, and government inspectors.
Read the complete source story here.

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Twinkie-Maker Gives Teamsters Brutal ‘Last, Best’ Offer
Posted: August 21, 2012
Source: In These Times.comHostess picket line A long standoff between the Teamsters and the corporate managers at Hostess Brands may be nearing a resolution. Rank-and-file union members will begin voting next week on a new labor agreement containing dramatic concessions.

Teamsters secretary-treasurer Ken Hall announced late last week that the union had received a “last, best and final offer” from the company–famed for making products like Wonder Bread and Twinkies–and that some 7,500 Teamster members employed at Hostess will vote directly on the proposal. Mail ballots will be sent out next week and the returned ballots counted on Sept. 14, Hall said.

The vote is the latest development in a seven-month standoff between the Teamsters and Hostess, which filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition in January and demanded sweeping concessions from its unionized workforce. Failure by the Teamsters and several other unions to agree to the concessions will mean the final collapse of Hostess and the loss of all 17,000 jobs at the company, Hostess officials have said.

That the cuts will be painful is clear, although the Teamsters are withholding the full details pending the vote. Hostess CEO Gregory Rayburn sent out a letter to employees August 20 estimating that--for all workers, including management--wages would be cut by 8 percent next year and givebacks in health care insurance would further reduce overall income. The proposal would also erase millions in pensions owed to workers and relieve the company of any requirement to make pension fund contributions for the next three years.

“I would never sign this piece of crap,” says Frank Hurt, president of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers union (BCTGM), the second-largest labor organization at Hostess after the Teamsters.   

Hurt says he met with Hostess managers as recently as last week, and they are demanding that BCTGM agree to a very similar concessionary package. “They keep giving us new proposals and each one is even worse than the last,” Hurt says.

Despite Hurt’s strong feelings, the approximately 5,000 rank-and-file BCTGM members at Hostess may also get a chance to vote directly on the cuts. “I’ve told the members that they would have the final say. They’ll have a right to vote on a final proposal, if Hostess ever offers one,” he told Working In These Times.

Should BCTGM reject such a proposal, however, Hostess need not abide by their vote. Company lawyers have convinced federal bankruptcy Judge Robert Drain to grant a so-called Section 1113 motion against the union, which allows the company to unilaterally cancel BCTGM labor agreements and impose whatever conditions it wishes. But the company has decided not to invoke Section 1113 thus far, claiming that it would prefer a negotiated settlement with the union.

Hostess sought a similar decision from Judge Drain in April relative to the Teamster contracts but was unsuccessful. However, the court ruled on narrow technical grounds and made clear that Hostess was welcome to return to court and try again to bust the union. Indeed, an analysis of the decision by bankruptcy experts at the anti-union law firm Cadwalader, Wickersham  & Taft concluded that Judge Drain’s ruling “turned on a relatively minor point of fact” and that Hostess had a good chance of prevailing against the Teamsters in the future.

All the unions at Hostess find themselves hemmed in by a hostile employer on one side and a hostile bankruptcy court on the other, comments Randy Bellliel, director of field operations for the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU).  With only about 500 members at the company, RWDSU does not have as much at stake as the Teamsters or BCTGM, but union officials are nevertheless trying to do everything possible to protect the wages and benefits of members, Belliel says.
Read the complete source story here.

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Wage cuts in final Hostess offer; may sell Merita
Posted: August 21, 2012
Source: Everett Herald
Hostess Brands Inc.'s final contract offer to certain union members includes lowering wages and commissions by 8 percent in the first year of a five-year contract. The company is also considering the possible sale of its Merita brand.

In a letter sent to all Hostess workers Monday, President and CEO Gregory Rayburn says that the wage cut would apply to everyone at the Irving, Texas, company, including management.

The offer also includes raising wages by a little more than 3 percent in the second year of the contract and by another percentage point in the fifth year.

Rayburn says the final contract offer will allow Hostess to reduce operating costs and help attract the financing needed to exit Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

"As with all negotiations, none of the parties got everything they wanted. Some of the concessions are deep, but they are shared by everyone -- union members, non-union members and all management," he wrote.

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters had no further comment beyond what it said last week, when it told members that rejecting the offer could mean losing their jobs. The union represents nearly 8,000 Hostess workers.
Read the complete source story here.
For the UNION view, go to hostessstrike.com.

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Candidate meets TeamsterRave reviews for Ohio 'Meet the Candidates' Picnic
Posted: August 20, 2012
Source: Teamster Nation
"Come out to Teamsters Local 436 to meet the candidates, bring your family and enjoy some hot dogs and snacks as well as some good old-fashioned union brotherhood," said the "Meet the Candidates of Northeastern Ohio" Facebook Event page.  

The picnic was a great success, according to Matt Ford, political coordinator for Local 507. It was held Saturday at the union hall in Cleveland. We learn from Local 436's Facebook page,

We couldn't have asked for a better day Saturday, nice crowd, candidates, and brotherhood! Thanks to everyone who pitched in to make this event special!
Props to Brother Fred Crow, who organized the event, and Brother Bill Lichtenwald, president of the Ohio Conference of Teamsters, who sponsored it, along with DRIVE (have you made your pledge yet?). We understand Brother Lichtenwald gave one helluva speech.
Read the complete source story here.

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Speakers at TNBC Conference Challenge Delegates to Turn Out the Vote
Posted: August 18, 2012
Source: Teamster.org
Speakers urge delegates to go back and Get Out the VoteDay three of the 37th Annual TNBC Conference in Charlotte, N.C. continued the theme of the importance of voting, as speakers challenged those in attendance to turn out the vote for worker-friendly candidates in national, state and local elections. View more photos.

“Our livelihood, your family’s livelihood, depends on what happens in November,” said George Miranda, International Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 210 and President of Joint Council 16, both in New York.

Miranda was followed by James Andrews, president of the North Carolina AFL-CIO, who warned delegates that the corporate interests will stop at nothing to attack workers, labor rights and the rights of people to vote.

“I come by today to sound the alarm,” Andrews said. “We are under attack like never before.”

W.C. Smith, President of Local 891 and Secretary-Treasurer of Joint Council 87, both in Jackson, Miss., said that he disagrees with pundits who say certain states, like his native Mississippi “are not in play” in November. Plenty of important state and local races in Mississippi and other states are critical to the interests of working families and must be fought for, he said.

“Don’t just vote, you need to push everyone you can to the polls to vote,” Smith said.

Smith praised the TNBC’s efforts to educate members across the country and urged the organization to create new chapters and recruit new members so that more Teamsters get involved.

“TNBC means to me a group of men and women who want to be educated and a group of men and women who want to educate others,” he said.

Also today, the delegates unanimously adopted a resolution supporting the re-election of President Obama. The resolution, which had been adopted by the TNBC Executive Board earlier, was read by TNBC Vice Chairman Harvey Jackson, who drew cheers by repeatedly calling on delegates to fight hard to protect the freedoms that previous generations of blacks worked so hard to achieve.

“We have to fight with everything we have,” he said of keeping the freedoms alive.

This afternoon, delegates are meeting in regional workshops to discuss issues affecting their chapters.

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Hoffa Statement On Striking South African Miner Massacre
Posted: August 18, 2012
Source: Teamster.org
The following is a statement by Jim Hoffa, General President of the Teamsters Union:


The killing of at least 35 striking South African miners is a shocking story and the Teamsters Union is gravely concerned about the fallout.

Protests between striking workers and management at the Marikana platinum mine came to a head yesterday when police opened fire on the strikers, killing at least 34 and wounding 78. Adding insult to injury, police then arrested hundreds of strikers who managed to survive the massacre.

The Teamsters Union condemns all violence between police and striking workers at the Marikana platinum mine and offers our condolences to the family and friends of those killed and injured.

Desmond Tutu, the South African activist and bishop, Nobel Peace Prize winner and winner of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, famously said, “A person is a person because he recognizes others as persons.”

All too often, workers are not recognized as humans by their employers but rather regarded as expendable objects. The struggles of these striking miners are the struggles that working people face worldwide.

The Teamsters Union demands that Lonmin, the UK-based mining company that owns Marikana, take responsibility for their role in the strike and subsequent loss of life. It is incumbent upon them to restore calm and safety by treating workers as people, not expendable objects.

The Teamsters Union stands in solidarity with the South African labor movement at this difficult juncture. It is our hope that the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, an independent police body in South Africa, will fairly judge whether this horrific police action was justified.

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Register for the Teamster School Bus Workers Congress
Posted: August 18, 2012
Source: Teamster.org
Register now to attend the 2012 School Bus Workers' Congress/Campaign Summit taking place September 28-30, 2012. This year's summit will be held at the Hilton Chicago O'Hare Airport Hotel, located at 10000 Bessie Coleman Drive, Chicago, Illinois  60666.  

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Hilton at a room rate of $129.00 per night.

You can make room reservations one of two ways:

-  Call the hotel directly at 1-877-865-5322.  Ask for the Teamsters Meeting Rate
-  Call the Teamsters Travel Service at 1-800-428-3591.  Be sure to mention the room block when making your reservations.
 
Hotel Reservations must be made by September 7, 2012 to receive the group rate.

Below is a tentative schedule of events:

Friday, September 28
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.             Registration/Opening Reception

Saturday, September 29
9:00 a.m.                                 Sessions Begin

Sunday, September 30
9:00 a.m.                                 Sessions Begin
2:00 p.m.                                 Adjourn

Click here to register

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Teamster Training
Safer Drivers: Workers Training Workers
Teamster TrainingPosted: August 17, 2012
Source: Teamster Training

SPACE IS LIMITED!

For more information or to sign-up call 509-545-8297 or check the Teamsters Training website for other dates and times.

Classes held at locations statewide.

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TNBC Celebrates Fourth Annual Women's Day
Posted: August 17, 2012
Source: Teamster.org
Sea of red shirtsA sea of red shirts filled a hotel ballroom in Charlotte, N.C., today as TNBC delegates celebrated the fourth annual Women’s Day with inspiring speeches, recognitions and a special luncheon. View more photos.

“Today was special because we celebrated Women’s Day,” said Barbara Williams, a member of Local 127 in Quincy, Mass., who drove 12 hours to get to the TNBC conference.

“Females are the backbone. More women should get involved with the Teamsters, especially African-American women. Today was an inspiring day,” said Williams, who works as a senior toll collector for the Massachusetts Turnpike.

This morning’s keynote speaker was the Rev. Fredrica Johnson-Paige, a social worker with the Children’s Home Society of North Carolina. She works with families to help them maintain a stable home environment.

Johnson-Paige urged delegates to “take a stand” on the issues that matter most—helping to strengthen families, getting people to vote and taking steps to improve the world.

“Teamster women, remember that you are mobilizing and making a difference not only in your lives but in those around you,” she said.

Several people were recognized for their work.  Ferline Buie was honored as the first black woman to serve as Teamsters International Union Vice President At Large.

“I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for you,” Buie said. “I love what I do.”

In the afternoon, delegates attended a lunch named in honor of Clara Day, a longtime Teamster leader who helped organize thousands of new members and who was active in the civil rights and women’s rights movements.

Delegates were impressed with the day’s activities and presentations.

“The main thing about being a Teamster is unity. Teamster has the word “team” in it,” said Safeyyah Edwards, a member of Local 507 in Cleveland and a Red Cross employee. “To me, the entire conference, including today, focuses on sharing ideas, building relationships and mobilizing and organizing. This is what being in a union is all about. This is how it thrives and how it continues to help the working class.”

This afternoon, the delegates were treated to a remarkable performance by Mzuri Moyo, who portrayed Fannie Lou Hamer, a civil rights leader, using song and the spoken word.

The performance transfixed the audience.

The message is to make sure you exercise your right to vote.

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Romney Link to Union Suppression Ruling
 Posted: August 17, 2012
Source: Teamster.orgRomney and Bain
Appeared in the Financial Times on August 16, 2012
By Robin Hardin in Washington

A company controlled by Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s Bain Capital ran an unlawful campaign to suppress a potential union in the 1980s, according to U.S. court and federal agency documents.

Key Airlines, an early investment for the private equity firm founded by a young Mitt Romney and two associates, broke the law by attempting to coerce and then dismiss two pilots who tried to organize a union. Two months after a union vote failed, Bain agreed to sell Key Airlines at a large profit.

“The anti-union activities in this case are not merely unfair labour practices as Key argues, but blatant, grievous, wilful, deliberate and repeated violations of the Railway Labour Act,” Roger Foley, federal judge for the District of Nevada, wrote in 1992, in a case brought by two Key pilots.

The case illustrates an episode in Mr. Romney’s business career and raises questions about how it has prepared him to manage the US economy.

Key Airlines was a small charter carrier with a military contract to ferry personnel to bases in the Nevada desert. The union effort was suppressed under Bain’s ownership in 1985 and 1986 although a court judgment against the company and its management – including Bain Capital founding partner T Coleman Andrews III – did not come until 1992. The judgment was later qualified by a subsequent court ruling in 1994, together with an agreement to settle an appeal.

According to regulatory filings, Mr Romney was a director of Key Airlines and had a personal shareholding in the airline. Neither Mr Romney nor Bain Capital were named or cited in the federal court ruling in Nevada.

Mr Romney’s campaign referred to a statement on its website supporting the right of workers to join – or not join – a union: “To exercise that right freely, workers must have access to all the relevant facts they need to make an informed decision. This means hearing from both the union about the potential benefits and from management about potential costs.”

“Despite unemployment over 8 per cent for more than three years, President Obama continues to put the interests of labour bosses ahead of the interests of Americans looking for work,” added Michele Davis, a spokeswoman for the campaign. “By contrast, Governor Romney has grown companies and created jobs, in the private sector and as Governor of Massachusetts, and will get America working again.”

Key Airlines was initially acquired in 1983 by investors including partners of the Bain & Company management consultancy. When Bain Capital was set up in 1984, according to a prospectus aimed at marketing funds managed by Bain, one of its first investments was a $2m injection into Key.

In the autumn of 1985, 21 pilots at Key planned to form their own union, citing safety concerns. Management said that the campaign was actually motivated by low pay.

According to the court ruling, Key held coercive meetings with pilots; said management would leave and the company lose contracts; and told pilots that salaries, bonuses and benefits could be frozen. Federal labour law forbids an airline “to interfere in any way with the organisation of its employees”.

Two union organizers – Olen Rae Goodwin and Lawrence Schlang, a former naval aviator – were instructed to sign resignation letters, according to a separate report by the National Mediation Board, which oversees union elections in the sector. The report described the company’s excuse for this dismissal as “little more than pretext”. When a union election was finally held only two pilots voted “yes”.

Mr. Schlang confirmed the events but asked the Financial Times to rely on the written court records. He is now 76. Mr Goodwin was reached at his home but declined to comment.

Court and regulatory files and an internal Bain & Company memorandum reviewed by the FT also reveal extensive details about the financing and performance of the deal.

The initial $5m purchase was funded entirely with debt: the Bain & Company partners guaranteed some of the borrowing but put in no capital themselves. Mr Romney personally owned 5 per cent of Bain’s stake. Key Airlines grew during the period of the Bain investment, more than doubling its sales from 1983 to 1986, and creating jobs.

Bain also sold off assets from the operating company. When Key Airlines was sold for $18m in 1986, its total balance sheet amounted to $2m compared with $13m at the time of purchase.

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Hostess workers to vote on final contract offer
Posted: August 17, 2012
Source: Bloomberg Businessweek
A union representing workers at Hostess Brands Inc. is advising members that rejecting the company's final contract offer could result in the loss of their jobs.

Hostess, which makes Twinkies, Wonder Bread and other brands, has been negotiating with workers about a new contract as it seeks to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The company's "Last, Best and Final Offer" was presented over the weekend.

The Teamsters union, which represents nearly 8,000 Hostess workers, plans to review the company's offer next week. Ballots will be mailed to members Aug. 27 and counted Sept. 14.

A Hostess representative wasn't immediately available for comment.
Read the complete source story here.

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Yes, The Teamsters Can And Will Reopen The Contract
Posted: August 17, 2012
Source: Teamster.org
Much has been said over the past few weeks regarding the Teamster’s ability to reopen the very narrowly ratified Maintenance contract. Here are the facts.

The Teamsters, after ejecting AMFA from the property at UAL, notified UAL that we intended to reopen the AMFA MX contract. UAL recognized our right to reopen and solicited dates from us to begin bargaining. Rather than rush to the table, however, the membership decided through a survey that a tactical delay in reopening was the best decision owing to the fact that the industry was in turmoil in 2008 and bargaining at that time would not have resulted in the gains realized in the recently ratified agreement for Teamster Mechanics at UAL.

Nonetheless, the point is that UAL never claimed that the Teamsters had no right to reopen the contract once it took over representation from AMFA.

Similarly, in 2005, the Teamsters took over the representation of Mechanics from the IAM at Piedmont Airlines. Initially, after the Teamsters filed a Section 6 Notice to reopen the concessionary IAM contract, the airline refused to meet with us. We immediately filed suit in Federal Court under Section 2, First of the Railway Labor Act to force the company to come to the table. At the eleventh hour, Piedmont capitulated and agreed to settle out of court and begin bargaining on a new contract.

We are confident that Piedmont agreed to do so in order to save face before a court decision ordering them to the table was issued. The fact is that Teamsters Airline Division will not waiver from our stance that we can and will reopen your contract just as we have done in the past!

Click here to download the flier.

Please do not let fear mongering dissuade you from making the right choice.

Choose strength, choose the Teamsters!

For more information, call the Campaign hotline at 877-589-4951.

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Teamsters National Black Caucus mobilizes the movement
Posted: August 16, 2012
TNBC membersSource: Teamster Nation
Never has it been more important to elect candidates who stand with us in the war on workers.

That message was delivered today at the 37th Annual Teamsters National Black Caucus (TNBC) Education Conference in Charlotte, N.C.

More than 400 Teamsters and their families came to this year's conference. The theme: "Mobilizing the Movement and Making a Difference."

Al Mixon,  international vice president and TNBC chairman, said,

This is a pivotal election year because the well-being of working families is at stake. We all need to get out and educate our co-workers about the importance of electing worker-friendly candidates.
Harvey Jackson, TNBC vice chairman and president of Local 1150 in Stratford, Ct., said they're preparing for next year's 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights movement in Atlanta.
People sometimes forget that the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s last trip, to Memphis, was to protect the labor rights of the sanitation workers. The two movements are related and we all need to step up the fight so that the gains that have been made over the past 50 years are not lost.
 Delegate Jerome Singletary is attending his first TNBC conference. He's a member of Local 396 in Los Angeles and a steward at Republic Services, where he drives a bin delivery truck.

I'm just blown away from the information I'm learning. From the opening remark to the young guys who did the Step Show from the Iota Phi Theta fraternity, to the workshops, it's been great.

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Teamsters double down, too, in Chicago
Posted: August 16, 2012
Source: Teamster Nation
As Mitt Romney announced his running mate, more than a hundred Teamster political coordinators gathered to plot their strategy in the war on workers over the next few years.

Meeting in Chicago for three days of intensive discussions, they left on Sunday energized and committed -- to re-electing President Obama, to defeating anti-worker politicians and ballot initiatives, to form coalitions with friendly allies and to go on the offense in some states.

"We all need to do whatever it takes to protect our members, no matter how distasteful," said Bill Moore, from Teamsters Local 696 in Kansas.

Teamsters political coordinators already know that radical corporate-backed politicians want to destroy collective bargaining rights. They were reminded during the meeting by Romney's choice of the extremist Paul Ryan. But they were also cheered by reports that as many as 40,000 working people converged on Philadelphia in Saturday to support the Second Bill of Rights.

Nuts-and-bolts sessions on fighting the war on workers were led by Teamsters from Illinois, Washington, Kansas, Florida and California. Overall campaign and message strategy were discussed by  the International's staff and allies. Legal and logistical issues were hashed out.

And despite the increasing radicalism of the Republican party, Teamsters' political coordinators said it's essential to work with -- and elect -- the reasonable ones.

"You always work with your friends, but you have to be open to making new friends in the political arena," said Josh Zivalich, from Teamsters Local 769 in Miami.

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US says GA must stop starving laid-off workers
Posted: August 16, 2012
USLD says pay them!Source: Teamster Nation
Well, that's not exactly what the U.S. Labor Department said, but that's what it meant. Thousands of educational workers in Georgia had been left hungry and nearly homeless when Labor Commissioner Mark Butler suddenly cut their unemployment benefits without warning.

Butler is a former real estate appraiser who had an interesting dating history while serving as assemblyman. (He said there was nothing wrong with the relationship.)

Seven hundred members of Teamsters Local 728 were hurt by his decision. But now they may get justice.

We learned last week that the U.S. Department of Labor told Butler has to reverse his decision. They said that state and federal law prevent him from cutting workers earned benefits.

Here's the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Thousands of Georgia bus drivers, cafeteria workers and private school teachers, who this year were denied usual summertime unemployment checks, may get that money after all, according to the U.S. Department of Labor... 
Washington officials determined last week that the Georgia Department of Labor violated workplace laws by refusing to pay the benefits. In an Aug. 2 letter obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the federal government ordered Butler to rescind the ruling and pay the teachers and contract workers for the weeks, or months, of lost unemployment benefits... 
Butler met Monday in Atlanta with Teamsters Local 728 and other union and community leaders representing thousands of affected workers. He was granted a month's reprieve by the U.S. Labor Department to seek legal guidance from Georgia's attorney general. 
By then, though, Washington expects the state to begin repaying workers such as Everton Daswell, a shuttle bus driver at Kennesaw State University whose summertime unemployment compensation claims were denied. 
"If the [U.S. Labor Department's] ruling stands, then I say justice has been done," said Daswell, who works for a private company that contracts with the university.

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School Bus Drivers To Romney: We Do Count
Posted: August 16, 2012
Source: Teamster.org

“When a young person makes the honor roll, I know he took a school bus to get to the school, but I don’t give the bus driver credit for the honor roll.” –Mitt Romney

School bus drivers nationwide reacted strongly to this remark by Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney, which was recently highlighted in the Washington Post.

“School bus drivers are important. Gov. Romney’s attitude is that bus drivers don’t count, but I take pride in encouraging my kids when they get a good report card, and I tell them they’re doing excellent and building their future. We have a position where we can impact these kids and it’s an important responsibility,” said Terry Riley, a driver with Durham School Services in Albuquerque, N.M.

“Mr. Romney is entitled to his opinion, but since he wanted to bring up school bus drivers, school bus drivers drive the future of the country; what does Mr. Romney do?” said Bob Hollenbach, a driver for Cook County School Bus in Arlington Heights, Ill. and member of Local 777 in Lyons, Ill.

“Bus drivers are the ones that get the honor roll kids to school. If there were no bus drivers driving these kids to school, they wouldn’t be able to even get there to make the honor roll,” said Sebrina Isom, a 27-year driver for Durham in Beaufort, S.C and member of Cayce-based Teamsters Local 509. “Why in the world would he [Romney] make that statement? I guess he never rode a school bus or had his children ride the bus to school, otherwise he’d know to appreciate the efforts of school bus drivers,” Isom said.

Isom points out school bus drivers are often on the road before daybreak, picking up students and safely transporting them to school. A school bus driver is the first person a child sees on the way to school and the last person a child sees in the evening on his or her way home. School bus drivers are credentialed professionals entrusted with the safety of human beings, yet many, in particular nonunion drivers, are paid low wages with little to no benefits and difficult working conditions. What they share is a commitment to the children.

“School bus drivers deserve our appreciation and thanks for their hard work and for transporting our most precious cargo—children. I am proud that our union is at the forefront of driving up standards in the school bus industry and giving a voice to school bus workers nationwide,” said Jim Hoffa, Teamsters General President.

More than 35,000 school bus drivers, monitors, attendants, aides and mechanics have joined the Teamsters since 2006, as part of the Drive Up Standards national campaign to improve safety, service and work standards in the private school bus and transit industry.

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Union protest rages outside Ryan fundraiser in Vegas
Posted: August 15, 2012
Source: Teamster Nation
Vegas protestOur brothers and sisters from AFGE and the AFL-CIO showed up in droves outside a casino mogul's fundraiser for premium-wine enthusiast Paul Ryan yesterday in Las Vegas.

Zeke Miller at Buzzfeed has the story:

The protesters, from the American Federation of Government Employees and the AFL-CIO, gathered in the plaza outside the hotel with signs like "Paul Ryan: Hustling for the 1%," and "Romney/Ryan Road to Ruin." 

AFGE president John Gage, who was in Las Vegas for his union's convention, told reporters that they were there to demonstrate against Ryan's proposed cuts to the federal government and Medicare. 

"Romney Hood, Ryan Hood, not in our neighborhood," he said.

"Ryan, Go Home," the union members shouted. Gage said his union has 300,000 members nation-wide and estimate that about 9,000 or 10,000 are from Nevada.
The casino mogul is Sheldon Adelson, a billionaire who owns casinos in Macau (foreign money, anyone?). ABC News reported,
Adelson and his wife, Miriam, have given at least $10 million to the pro-Romney SuperPAC Restore Our Future. They also gave $20 million to a SuperPAC supporting Newt Gingrich during the primary campaign. Adelson has vowed to spend $100 million to defeat President Obama. He recently accompanied Romney on his overseas trip to Israel.
They only call it class warfare when we fight back... 

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Road to ruin

Romney-Ryan Budget Plan Would Devastate Working Families, Union Activists Spread the Word
Posted: August 15, 2012
Source: AFL-CIO Now
As Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan travel the country peddling their budget that would decimate Medicare, cut Social Security and give millionaires more tax breaks they don't need, union activists are reminding voters what their economic plans mean for working families.

AFGE and other unions protested outside Sheldon Adelson's Venetian hotel and casino in Las Vegas, Nev., yesterday during a Paul Ryan fundraiser. 

 

 

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Hoffa on The Ed ShowJim Hoffa Talks Jobs On The Ed Show/MSNBC
Updated: August 14, 2012
Source: Teamster.org
The Ed Show on MSNBC, hosted by Ed Schultz, featured an interview with Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa last night on the topic of outsourcing American jobs.
Read the source story here.

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Husky Labor Game Day thbCelebrate Labor Day With The Huskies on September 1st
Posted: August 13, 2012
Source: UW and JC 28
As a Union Member you are invited to join us on September 1st at CenturyLink Field for UW Football vs. San Diego State!

Take advantage of a special Union Member Ticket Discount: regular price tickets of $66 are going for $42 for Union members.

Call the Husky Ticket Office at (206) 221-8626 to order your tickets, and make sure to tell them that you are part of the Teamsters group!

See more information about this event here.

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Woo-hoo! A-B Teamsters ratify contract after strike
Posted: August 13, 2012
Soruce: Teamster Nation
This just in: Teamsters from Local 166 in Bloomington, Calif., ratified a contract with Anheuser-Busch after striking since June 24.

They've been out for two months. Anheuser-Busch had offered a terrible contract on several counts: overtime pay, classification of temporary workers, retiree health care and benefits for new employees.

Mike Bergen, principal officer of Local 166, said:
We fought to get a fair contract for our members and we won. In addition to a solid contract, we won permanent status for 15 formerly temporary jobs along with other benefit improvements. Dave Laughton, director of the Teamsters Brewery and Soft Drink Conference and Dennis Hart, conference representative, were both a major help to us with winning this new contract.
Chris Turner is an A-B warehouseman and member of Local 166 for 30 years. He said:
Despite the difficult economy, our local union did a terrific job in representing us and supporting us during the strike. Knowing that we have job stability for the next three years is a great relief for me and my family.
Teamsters represent more than 8,000 employees of Anheuser-Busch nationwide.

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Hoffa Statement on Romney Choice of Paul Ryan
Posted: August 13, 2012
Source: Teamster.org
The following is a statement by Jim Hoffa, General President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters:
“By choosing Paul Ryan as his running mate, Mitt Romney is doubling down on his campaign to make the American middle class poorer so the rich can get richer.

“Ryan is the author of a radical budget proposal to cut Social Security and kill Medicare. The Ryan budget gives a $187,000 tax cut to every multi-millionaire and billionaire, but forces seniors to pay as much as $5,900 more for health care. And it cuts 62 percent of programs for low-income workers.

“The Ryan budget has been described as “reverse Robin Hood on steroids.” It will increase poverty and inequality more than any other budget in modern times -- and possibly in the history of this great country.

“Romney said the Ryan budget is “an excellent piece of work” and “very much needed.” He is wrong. The Romney-Ryan vision is the last thing America needs.”

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Whoa! 35K-40K at WS4A rally in Philly
Posted: August 13, 2012
Source: Teamster Nation
As many as a thousand Teamsters joined the giant Workers Stand for America rally today. The news media is reporting as many as 40,000 people came from all over the country to support the Second Bill of Rights.

Every Teamster local from Pennsylvania was there, as well as from New York, New Jersey and surrounding states. The downside: So many people came that traffic turned into a nightmare and some couldn't get close to the rally itself.

Bill Hamilton, president of the Pennsylvania Conference of Teamsters, said the crowd was enthusiastic and united:
We can't be separated. We can't be divided. The attacks are going to be the same on all of us. 
Hamilton praised the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers for organizing the event. He signed the Second Bill of Rights last night, along with leaders from the other national unions. You can sign it here, even if you couldn't make it to Philadelphia.

Mention of Mitt Romney's choice of Paul Ryan as his running mate drew long and sustained boos. President Obama spoke to the crowd on a live feed.

Hamilton said the president's message was "Look what they've done now. Now we have an anti-labor candidate. Look what they're going to do." (Ed. note: They'll cut Social Security, gut Medicare, give tax cuts to the rich so the poor and middle class get less.)

We like this from CBS News ,

Liz McElroy, secretary treasurer of the Philadelphia AFL CIO says there’s nothing wrong with wanting a better life. 

“We want to advance an agenda where it’s okay to have a middle class again and workers who speak up for their rights are not vilified and people who have a decent pension and maybe a little healthcare when they retire aren’t the enemy.” 

One final thought: from ‏@Workers4America
All #WS4A flags are made in the USA. Can the @RNC say the same about theirs?

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Riverside Teamsters Ratify Anheuser-Busch Agreement
Posted: August 13, 2012
Source: Teamster.org
A majority of the 130 Teamsters at the Riverside Anheuser-Busch facility have ratified a new contract that ends a more than two-month strike and brings economic stability for the employees and their families for the next three years

The workers, members of Teamsters Local 166 in Bloomington, had been out on strike since June 24 when the employer submitted a contract offer that was deficient on wage compensation, classification of temporary workers and benefit packages.

“We fought to get a fair contract for our members and we won,” said Mike Bergen, principal officer of Teamsters Local 166. “In addition to a solid contract, we won permanent status for 15 formerly temporary jobs along with other benefit improvements.”

Despite the difficult economy, our local union did a terrific job in representing us and supporting us during the strike,” said Chris Turner, a warehouseman and Local 166 member for the past 30 years. “Knowing that we have job stability for the next three years is a great relief for me and my family.” 

"Dave Laughton, Director of the Teamsters Brewery and Soft Drink Conference and Dennis Hart, conference representative, were both a major help to us with winning this new contract," Bergen said.” There are over 8,000 other employees of Anheuser-Busch that are represented by the Teamsters nationwide.

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Teamsters start arriving at PhillyTeamsters holding the line for the middle class in Philly
Posted: August 11, 2012
Source: Teamster Nation
The energy in Philadelphia is "incredible," The AFL-CIO tweets:

"@bctdprez: The Energy here in hometown of Philly is incredible. 20k plus union brothers and sisters here to rally for Amer workers!! #WS4A
@MikeElk, a reporter for In These TImes, estimates there are 25,000 people in Philly right now, marching, chanting, listening to speeches.

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Teamsters in the house in Philly!
Posted: August 11, 2012
Teamsters in the House!Source: Teamster Nation
Brother Rick Smith just tweeted this picture from the giant worker's rally in Philly. Teamsters are backstage right now with Sen. Bob Casey and AFL-CIO President Rich Trumka. And you can bet the Teamster truck is there. When we get the photo, we'll post it. We'll also be hearing from Pennsylvania Conference of Teamsters President Bill Hamilton, a key mover behind the rally.

The energy is high. LIUNA is there, chanting, "Here we go, union, Here we go!" Steelworkers, AFA, CWA, ironworkers, the building trades, all there. UNITE HERE tweets,
Up early and proud to stand with working people for America! Thanks Local 57! #WS4A #1u #labor #p2 
We learn from @jerrytjordan that the teachers have arrived:
PFT & AFT-PA have arrived at #ws4a! pic.twitter.com/hYCTIhr6 
There was a giant CWA Verizon workers rally and march earlier, including Verizon workers in wheelchairs. "Verizon, Verizon, you can't hide, we can see your greedy side," was the battle cry. @MikeElk reports a Mercedes tried to drive through the line of marchers.

He also tells us a 130-pound hipster yelled at the Verizon workers, "Oh you crybabies, pay for your health care like everyone else," and gave them the finger. Then he said to a bunch of union guys, "Who wants to take me on?" Then he ran away.

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Today's disposable workers: Anxious and in danger
Posted: August 10, 2012
Source: Teamster Nation
Disposable workersJob insecurity is, sadly, a feature of American life now. Alternet calls it the disease of the 20th century. Oh, and it's killing us.

"A massive, Xanax-fueled public health crisis driven by chronic employment worry is headed our way," writes Lynn Parramore.

Here's the worse news: Temp hiring is rising. The number of temporary employees in the U.S. increased to 2.5 million during the first three months of 2012, up from 2.1 million in early 2009.

NPR tells us why:

Companies use temps because they can pay fewer benefits, take on fewer legal responsibilities and fire them easily.

Isn't that charming? What's worse, temporary workers can die on the job. According to the IUF,
Lax regulations, loose enforcement and employer resistance to union health and safety committees inflict a ghastly toll of illness, injury and death on the job. The grisly death of a contract worker at a US Nestlé plant provides further evidence that agency workers face even greater risks due to their precarious employment status. 
Read the complete source story here.

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Romney's plan for the middle class: Get used to being poor
Posted: August 9, 2012
Jim HoffaSource: James P. Hoffa, The Detroit News
Mitt Romney's "plan for a stronger middle class" reads like a manifesto in the war on workers — for the other side.

It isn't even a plan, and it certainly won't strengthen the middle class. It's simply an outline of results that he wishes will happen: lower taxes for the wealthy, smaller government and weaker rights for workers.

In other words, Romney wants to redistribute more income to the 1 percent. He would never say it out loud, of course.

But in Mitt Romney's world view, low wages are the solution. For America's working families, low wages are the problem.

Most Americans' standard of living will fall if Romney is elected president. I have no doubt that he would take us to a race to the bottom on wages and competition with slave labor overseas.

He was a serial outsourcer during his business career, and now he supports job-killing trade deals. He also wants to eliminate taxes on American companies' overseas profits.

According to anew study by the Center for American Progress, Romney's plan would "further accelerate the outsourcing of American jobs to foreign countries."

Worse, Romney would attack workers' ability to bargain collectively. He pretends that his proposals would help workers, but his real intention is to undermine them.

Workers need collective bargaining now more than ever to protect themselves from corporations that ship jobs overseas and cut wages, benefits and pensions. Collective bargaining helps level the playing field for employees so CEOs aren't the only ones who benefit from a company's success.

The last thing workers need in this economy is weakened collective bargaining rights.
Read the complete source story here.

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Teamsters stand up to ABX for wrongly firing pilot
Posted: August 9, 2012
Source: Teamster Nation
AirplaineWho do you trust more when it comes to your safety on an airplane? The pilot who is flying the plane or airline bosses on the ground?

We think it’s the pilot who knows best. So does the Federal Aviation Administration. But cargo airline ABX Air seems to think differently.

ABX fired a pilot last month because he refused to operate a plane based on a flight plan that violated FAA-approved procedures. The Airline Professionals Association, Teamsters Local 1224, has announced that it filed suit against the airline and is demanding the captain’s reinstatement.

Today, the Teamsters put out a statement supporting the pilot, who worked for ABX for 27 years and had no disciplinary history:
“The Teamsters will use all of our resources to defend and preserve a captain’s authority,” said Teamsters Airline Division Director Capt. David Bourne. “In the aviation industry, the captain’s authority is the cornerstone of safe and secure flight operations.”

In June, the pilot was operating an ABX flight in Japan when he requested a change to the flight plan after raising safety concerns. Following the incident, the airline took disciplinary action and fired the pilot for refusing to sign a coerced statement that said the pilot was not justified in questioning the flight’s safety.

The pilot was exercising his FAA-mandated rights, which give the captain of an aircraft the final authority in determining the safe operations of a flight.
Adding insult to injury, ABX notified all its captains that it fired the pilot. Bourne said this was an obvious attempt by the company to create a chilling effect on pilots and their ability to make decisions about flight safety:
This was clearly meant to intimidate pilots and curtail their ability to make sure safety is the top priority on every flight. The Teamsters will not let an injustice like this go unchallenged.
Capt. Dan Wells, president of Local 1224, told Aviation International News,
What worries us the most is that the captain was fired for making this decision. Why else would the company send out that letter other than to scare pilots into making the decision [the company would regard as] right in the future?
The Teamsters demand that the pilot be fully reinstated. They also want the airline to outline future protections for flight crews so they can exercise their authority on flight safety without fear of retaliation by management.

Capt. Wells explained why airlines should respect pilots’ rights to make the call on safety:
When operating a highly complex, multimillion-dollar machine in the dynamic real-world environment, a captain is required to make rapid decisions based on the regulations, his experience, procedures, and the immediate situation at hand to complete a flight safely. To impede a captain’s authority to evaluate or even question the safety of a flight undermines the safety protocols upon which our entire aviation system is built.

Teamster pilots are on the frontlines when it comes to keeping our skies safe. They should be praised, not fired.

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Teamsters Take On TPG, Again
Posted: August 9, 2012
Source: Private Equity Beat
The Teamsters Union and TPG Capital LP are locked in a labor dispute once again.

For the second time in less than two years, the Teamsters are threatening a TPG-backed company with the threat of a walkout over contract negotiations following an acquisition by the private equity firm. The last conflict even prompted U.S. Senator – and Rockefeller Family scion – Jay Rockefeller IV to step in.

TPG declined to comment on the Teamsters’ allegations, detailed in a harshly worded statement that described TPG’s management “unconscionable” and described the firm as “corporate raiders.”

Other private equity firms have also been subjected to union pressure in the past few years. In June 2011, the Teamsters put pressure on Sun Capital-backed Emerald Performance Materials as the private equity firm groomed that company for a sale.

But even as unions protest some of the business practices at private equity firms, they’re happily investing for their pensioners in the asset class.

It’s an interesting position. Even as the Union takes TPG and its portfolio company Nexeo Solutions to task for having “agreed to pay thousands of dollars to settle with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for mishandling hazardous chemicals” and complains about the $600 million in debt that TPG has placed on the company’s balance sheet with its acquisition, the Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trust has about $1.5 billion invested in private equity funds, according to a May 2012 CNBC report.
Read the complete source story here.

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Report: 10 Most Profitable U.S. Corporations Paid Average Tax Rate Of Just 9 Percent Last Year
Posted: August 8, 2012
Corporate AmericaSource: Huffington Post
While some of America's biggest corporations may complain that they pay too much in taxes, a recent analysis shows that many are actually getting off pretty easy.

According to the financial site NerdWallet, the 10 most profitable U.S. companies paid an average federal tax rate of just 9 percent last year. The group includes heavyweights Exxon Mobil, Apple, Microsoft, JPMorgan Chase and General Electric. (Hat tip: Barry Ritholtz.)

Some of these companies paid more than 9 percent -- JPMorgan earned $26.7 billion in 2011, for example, and paid $3.7 billion of it, or 14 percent, to the federal government -- and some paid less, like Exxon Mobil, which only sent 2 percent of its $73.3 billion earnings to the IRS.

But the 10 companies all paid much less than the nominal corporate tax rate of 35 percent -- a number that investor and tax-the-rich advocate Warren Buffett has dismissed as "a myth," but one that presidential front-runners Barack Obama and Mitt Romney have both proposed to lower.

The effective corporate tax rate has been on its way down for decades, recently hitting a 40-year low even as corporate profits have reached an all-time high. Many of the companies that have seen their tax rates fall in recent years -- including Exxon Mobil, Verizon, General Electric and AT&T -- are among the biggest spenders when it comes to lobbying, according to a recent analysis by the Sunlight Foundation.
Read the complete source story here.

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Davis Wire Strikers Address WSLC Convention
Posted: August 7, 2012
Source: The Stand
Davis Wire workers address the WSLC Convention
These are challenging times to be a union member. But in the face of unprecedented and unwarranted attacks against labor for having the temerity to oppose the selfish destructive policies of the 1 percent, true union solidarity, spirit and sacrifice continue to shine through. This spirit and energy promises to renew the American dream, if we continue to fight for our values: building strong families and communities, a secure middle class, and a better world for our children.

That was the message delivered by several speakers at Monday’s opening session of the Washington State Labor Council’s 2012 Convention in Wenatchee. And no one exemplified that solidarity, spirit and sacrifice more than the first group to take the podium: striking Davis Wire workers, who were welcomed by nearly 500 union delegates and guests with a rousing ovation.

The 85 workers at the company’s Kent facility have been on strike since May 21 after working without a contract since Dec. 1, 2011. Just three days after these workers voted to authorize a strike, the company laid off 27 employees — nearly a third of its unionized workforce. Their union, Teamsters Local 117, contends that the layoffs were retaliatory in nature.

“Over the years, working at Davis Wire has become more and more difficult,” said Union Steward Robert Bruner, listing the types of injuries he’s witnessed due to dangerous working conditions at the company. “With all the extra work, all the extra risks, all of us walked out together and we’ve stayed out together throughout the entire strike. Nobody’s gone back inside.”

“The solidarity that these men have shown has been incredible,” said Teamsters 117 Organizer Brenda Wiest, who thanked the many unions and members who have supported them on the picket lines and by donating to the Davis Wire ONE MORE DAY Hardship Fund. “Together we are stronger.”
Read the complete source story here.

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Mexican trucks: Still another reason to close the border
Posted: August 7, 2012
Source: Teamster Nation
U.S. transportation officials are assuring Americans that Mexican truck drivers are only allowed to travel beyond the border zone if they check out as safe and non-criminal.

Problem is, those backgrounds are checked and safety records compiled by Mexico's notoriously corrupt law enforcement officers. Here are just a few recent news stories about how well that's working:

A Senate committee investigation found that corruption plagues the Mexican police forces and judiciary.

Fox News reports 71 percent of Mexicans don't trust their local cops.

The Associated Press reported that Mexico's corrupt institutions have led to 47,000 deaths, including 16,000 victims whose corpses were so mutilated they couldn't be identified.

Since October, a handful of Mexican trucks have been allowed to drive anywhere in the U.S. as part of the second "pilot program" to open the border. Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa predicted the program would be a dismal failure, and it looks like he's right. According to the government, there are four Mexican motor carriers in the program. They have four vehicles and five drivers. They’ve made 83 trips.

Can you say FAIL?

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Teamsters Say TPG's Nexeo Solutions Is A Danger To Communities
Posted: August 7, 2012
Source: Teamster.org
Teamsters protested a hazardous materials seminar run by Nexeo Solutions today. Workers distributed leaflets exposing the chemical company’s irresponsible management practices that are endangering communities and workers at Nexeo distribution sites in the United States.

Since private equity titan TPG Capital took over Texas-based Nexeo, the company has been the subject of safety complaints and has agreed to pay thousands of dollars to settle with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for mishandling hazardous chemicals.

OSHA cited Nexeo’s warehouse in Tewksbury, Mass., for subjecting employees to hazardous conditions “likely to cause death or serious physical harm.” Employees were “exposed to fire hazards created by the incompatible storage of flammable liquids and organic peroxides,” the agency said.

On June 18, a hazmat fire at the Nexeo facility in Willow Springs, Ill., forced the evacuation of the site. Workers are concerned for their own safety and that of the surrounding community.

“It is unconscionable that Nexeo’s new owners would be taking such risks with people’s livelihoods. Our members and the communities that surround Nexeo facilities deserve better,” said Neil Messino, Business Representative at Teamsters Local 705 in Chicago.

TPG’s corporate raiders have also loaded Nexeo with $600 million in debt to inflate its  investment returns. It also slashed Nexeo workers’ pension and insurance plans, threatening employees’ retirement security and health.

Dominic Chiovare, President of Teamsters Local 70 in Oakland, Calif., said, “We want TPG to restore fairness to our members – put safety first and ensure adequate investment in our communities.”

Nexeo Solutions provides distribution and logistics services for customers in the chemicals, plastics, composites and environmental services industries. The company, based in The Woodlands, Texas, was purchased in a highly leveraged deal by TPG Capital, a private equity firm with $51.5 billion in capital under management. 

The Teamsters Union represents Nexeo workers in Willow Springs, Ill.; Fairfield, Calif.; Louisville, Ky.; Twinsburg, Ohio; Chicopee, Mass.; and St. Louis.

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Woo-hoo! Another Teamster Organizing Victory In CA!
Posted: August 7, 2012
Source: Teamster Nation
Please welcome our over 200 new brothers and sisters who work at Marquez Brothers Inc. in Hanford, CA. They voted to join Local 517 in Visalia on Friday, July 20th. Marquez is the largest distributor of Mexican consumer products in the United States.

The Teamsters represent more employees in California’s food chain than any other union, and with this election victory Joint Council 7 celebrates over 10,000 new members organized in the last two years.

This new unit of employees joins more than 35,000 Teamsters employed in dairy production throughout California and the United States. Work in the dairy industry proves to be both difficult and dangerous, and Teamsters are able to make a living wage with good benefits and retirement security in return. The employees at Marquez knew they deserved the same.

For Marquez Brothers employees, organizing was not an easy feat. The company held daily meetings to try and influence their employees against joining the union. Marquez Brothers is now challenging the election results and spreading fear throughout the workplace in hopes of coercing employees into calling for a new election. Additionally, on the Monday after the election, Marquez Brothers began telling the employees that representatives from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would be at the plant on Friday checking immigration status as workers picked up their paychecks.

“99% of the employees at Marquez are Latino,” said Chester Suniga, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 517. “It’s outrageous that a Latino company appears to be taking advantage of our broken immigration system to deprive their employees of a voice at work.”

Rome Aloise, President of Joint Council 7 and Director of the Dairy Conference and Food Processing Division, is reaching out to Latino elected officials to ask for their support in future negotiations with Marquez. Joint Council 7 understands that organizing is part of a long-term project to build power for Latinos in the Central Valley. The same week that the employees at Marquez Brothers in Hanford voted to join our Union, a Teamster-supported project registered over 500 Latinos to vote in the City of Hanford itself. “Our Union is steadfastly committed to Latinos having representation at their workplace and in local government,” stated Aloise.

Fortunately, the new Teamsters at Marquez have refused to be persuaded or discouraged by their management. These employees understand and appreciate the many advantages of being Teamsters.

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Remembering the UPS strike, 08.04.97
Posted: August 6, 2012
97 UPS StrikeSource: Teamster Nation
Today our friends Sarah Springer and Working Class Heroes posted images of the 1997 UPS strike on their Facebook pages. It happened 15 years ago today. We shared an image of the strike and asked people to share their memories.

Working Class Heroes posted:

185,000 Teamsters begin what is to become a successful 15-day strike at United Parcel Service over excessive use of part-timers - 1997
"The faces of the strikers were often mothers deciding whether they could afford Fruit Loops on their strike pay and everyone will be cheering that that mother or other struggling families will now have a pay increase and a shot at converting two or three part-time jobs into a solid full-time job at UPS." - from http://www.nathannewman.org/other/why_ups_strike_matters.html
Here are some memories:
Lori Murphy Ha! I was one of the teamsters on strike holding picket signs by the UPS airport facility by DIA in Denver! During that time I was the mother of 3 school-aged children, a full time student, and one of the part time workers at UPS, and I stood in support of my fellow workers for better pay and the chance of workers being able to achieve their livelihood by having a greater possibility of working full-time at UPS. 
Mike Barnes I brought donuts and coffee to the pickets on my way to work.
Jim Bryant I was a freight driver and brought water and donuts by to the line here in Sparks, NV a couple of times. 
Paul Thornburg Best thing we ever did. Got a little respect over that 2 weeks 
George Corneliusson Remember the strong picket line of local 671 , we had solidarity as those of us in freight were on the line, and yes in Ct. our elected officials stood with labor. 
Luciano Torres Thats The year I was hired, then few months later was on the picket line with my new brothers/sisters . Commerce City, Co  
Julie Mehan CWA in Albuquerque was organizing at the TV station I was working at then. The management threatened a lockout, and Teamsters on strike at UPS at that time came to support us. Go Teamsters! 
Lori Slaven DAMN!! I was part of that strike and i didn't even remember the date!
Those were some scary times back then, watching someone else drive out of the building to run your route as you stood there with no paycheck coming in. But we stuck it out, and everything worked out well in the end, we won a pretty decent contract as a result. 

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Washington regulator investigates Waste Management
Posted: August 4, 2012
Source: AP
Washington regulators are investigating Waste Management's response to an eight-day Teamsters strike that disrupted garbage, yard waste and recycling collections for more than 200,000 customers in the Seattle-Everett area.

The state Utilities and Transportation Commission sent a letter to Waste Management's Kirkland office Thursday seeking a detailed status report on each day of the strike.

The commission says it's concerned the resumption of services was more protracted than the company's contingency plan indicated and that Waste Management may not have allocated replacement drivers equitably.

The commission says it will hold a public meeting Aug. 9 as it decides whether the company should be penalized.
Read the complete source story here.

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Chicago Teamsters Raise More Than $3 Million For Autism Research
Posted: August 3, 2012
Source: Teamster.org

We've Got One, Too!

We've got an upcoming Golf Tournament that YOU can participate in! It's put on by the General Teamster Retirees Club and is August 9, 2012 at Foster Golf Links (13500 Interurban Ave S, Tukwila, WA 98168).

This Golf Tournament raises money for the Scholarship Fund. They've got the hole sponsors, now they need you!!!!!!    Read more here.
The “In Search of a Cure” golf event coordinated by Teamsters Local 731 raised a new grand total of more than $3 million for autism research after its 11th annual outing on Thursday, July 26.

Named in honor of Bryan D. Hancock, the autistic son of Teamsters Joint Council 25 Vice President and Local 731 President Terrence J. Hancock, “In Search of a Cure” remains a leader in autism awareness and support in the Chicago area. Hundreds of sponsors, golfers and Teamster supporters assemble each year at Silver Lake Country Club in Orland Park, Ill., and Ruffled Feathers Golf Club in Lemont, Ill., to shine light on curing the developmental disorder.

“Together we will cure autism,” Hancock said. “The millions we have already raised will benefit children and adults living with autism in and around Chicago for years to come. Such significant strides in therapy and new research would not be possible without the support of our Teamster affiliates and local partners throughout the city.”The check

All proceeds from this year’s golf tournament are donated to Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago on behalf of the organization’s Therapeutic School and Center for Autism Research, located at 13th St. and Damen Ave. “In Search of a Cure” has directly donated $600,000 dollars in recent years to Easter Seals to finalize construction of its research center. Upon completion, the next construction phase will include a warm water therapy pool and aquatic center named in honor of Bryan D. Hancock.

In addition to physical therapy, the center will expand Easter Seals’ Chicago campus to include educational research, early intervention training, job placement programs for young adults and independent living instruction.

“The Teamsters and Easter Seals will change the world with the cutting edge research and treatment being provided at the Therapeutic School,” said Hancock, who was appointed to Easter Seals’ Board of Directors in January. “Together we can help develop research programs of paramount importance, not only in finding a cure for autism, but in implementing successful treatments for individuals like my amazing son Bryan.”

Approximately one in 88 children born today in the United States are diagnosed with autism. There is currently no known cure. To learn more about autism and find ways to get involved, visit AutismSpeaks.org.

To offer additional support to the “In Search of a Cure” Golf Event in Honor of Bryan D. Hancock, contact Teamsters Local 731 at (630) 887-4100 or go online to InSearchOfACure.org.

Teamsters Local 731 is an affiliate of Teamsters Joint Council 25, which represents more than 100,000 hardworking men and women throughout Illinois and northwest Indiana.

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Teamsters credit local mayors for helping end trash strike
Posted: August 3, 2012
Source: The Seattle Times
Exhausted but happy after their week-long garbage strike against Waste Management, Teamsters Local 117 credited local mayors — especially Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn — for bringing Waste Management back to the bargaining table by vowing to collect fines for missed collections.

“Behind the scenes, we’re being told that was really instrumental in getting Waste Management back to the table. That’s what pushed them,” said Heather Weiner, political action director for Washington Teamsters Joint Council 28. Local 117, which represents the 153 recycle drivers who went on strike July 25, overwhelmingly approved a new six-year contract with the company Thursday morning.

Weiner said the calculus of the strike changed when the mayors of Federal Way and Seattle said they intended to hold the company accountable for missed collections.
Read the complete source story here.

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Woo-hoo! Another Teamster Organizing Victory In CA!
Posted: August 3, 2012
Source: Teamster.org
Please welcome our over 200 new brothers and sisters who work at Marquez Brothers Inc. in Hanford, CA. They voted to join Local 517 in Visalia on Friday, July 20th. Marquez is the largest distributor of Mexican consumer products in the United States.

The Teamsters represent more employees in California's food chain than any other union, and with this election victory Joint Council 7 celebrates over 10,000 new members organized in the last two years.

This new unit of employees joins more than 35,000 Teamsters employed in dairy production throughout California and the United States. Work in the dairy industry proves to be both difficult and dangerous, and Teamsters are able to make a living wage with good benefits and retirement security in return. The employees at Marquez knew they deserved the same.
Read the complete source story here.

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Teamsters ratify Waste Management contract
Posted: August 2, 2012
WM ratification meetingSource: Teamster.org
Recycle and yard waste drivers, represented by Teamsters Local 117, voted to ratify a 6-year contract agreement this morning. The contract vote was held after a 9 A.M. meeting at the Teamsters building in Tukwila.

The Local 117 leadership and bargaining committee fully recommended the proposal for ratification by the membership.

“This deal recognizes Seattle-area recycle and yard waste drivers for the tremendous job they do in performing difficult, dangerous work that protects the public health and the environment,” said Tracey A. Thompson, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 117. “Recycling is our future. We thank our drivers for their critical role in keeping our cities clean and for helping to make our region one of the leaders in the industry.”

Local 117 recycle and yard waste drivers said they would resume servicing their customers in King and Snohomish counties later today. Garbage drivers, represented by Teamsters Local 174, returned to work earlier this morning, while members of Teamsters 231 in Skagit County were also back on the job on Thursday to service their regular collection routes.

“We value our customers – they are our number one priority,” said Brent Barrett, a 11-year yard waste driver who works out of Waste Management’s facility in Seattle. “We look forward to getting back in our trucks, cleaning up our cities and neighborhoods, and continuing to provide the highest-quality service to our customers.”

Local 117 wished to thank their supporters for their role in arriving at this contract agreement.

“We want to thank our Teamster brothers and sisters, especially members of Teamsters Local 174 and Teamsters Local 231, for their unwavering solidarity during the strike. We are also grateful to the many unions, community organizations, municipalities, public officials, and members of our community for their tremendous support that made this outcome possible,” Thompson said.

“In the end, it was our area’s recycle and yard waste drivers who showed incredible courage, solidarity, and determination in their effort to achieve a fair contract that preserves their livelihood and their ability to provide for their families,” she said.

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Waste Management/Teamsters Reach Tentative Agreement
Posted: August 2, 2012
Source: The Seattle PI
From the Waste Management website this evening:

Waste Management and Teamsters Local 117 have reached a tentative agreement on a new 6-year contract. Teamster leadership and the bargaining committee will fully recommend that members approve the new contract at the ratification vote scheduled for 9:00am on Thursday, August 2, 2012 at the Union Hall in Tukwila.

Read the complete source story here.

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Republic Airways Shareholders Send Message To Board With Vote On Teamster Proposal
Posted: August 2, 2012
Source: Teamster.org
Today, Republic Airways Holdings [NASDAQ: RJET] shareholders expressed their displeasure with company leadership during its annual shareholders’ meeting in New York City with 48 percent of votes cast backing the appointment of an independent chairman of the board. Current CEO and Chairman Bryan Bedford faces growing investor concerns about the company’s mismanagement and weak governance structure as worker unrest spreads through the airline.

The company moved it’s meeting this year from its hometown of Indianapolis, Ind. to the offices of its legal counsel in New York City. Noticeably absent from the meeting were any independent directors with Bedford and one other representative from management in attendance to hear shareholder concerns.

“Today’s vote reflects a serious lack of confidence by investors in Bryan Bedford’s ability to pilot this airline into the future,” said Ken Hall, General Secretary-Treasurer of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. The union is a long-term Republic shareholder and representative of nearly half of the airline’s frontline workers. “Shareholders sent a resounding message to the board – it is time to break the CEO’s stranglehold on the company.”

The Teamsters issued a report, Independent Board Leadership at Republic Airways –The Final Frontier, in which the union noted concerns about the airline’s clubby board and conflicted lead director who have allowed Bedford to create the current crisis at Republic.

Republic’s mismanagement also extends to its labor relations as Teamster-represented pilots, flight attendants and mechanics protested outside the meeting. Republic Airways pilots could soon strike over the company’s failure to address fundamental economic issues. With no wage increase in more than five years, some Republic pilots now qualify for food stamps. The company is also destroying morale among other work groups by delaying contract negotiations with flight attendants and violating the workplace rights of mechanics.

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Judge again dismisses ABF suit against Teamsters
Posted: August 2, 2012
Source: The City Wire
.S. District Court Judge Susan Webber Wright has again ruled against Arkansas Best Corp. in the trucking company’s attempt to pursue a $750 million claim against the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and other parties.

Arkansas Best issued a statement Wednesday (Aug. 1) saying they were “disappointed” by Wright’s ruling, and indicated they are considering a second appeal of her dismissal.

“ABF is studying the ruling and evaluating its options which include, among other avenues, taking a second appeal to the Eighth Circuit or refiling the case in the District Court,” the company noted in its statement.

On Nov. 1, 2010, Arkansas Best Corp. — the parent company of ABF Freight System — filed a lawsuit seeking the $750 million in financial damages from alleged violations of a National Master Freight Agreement (NMFA) by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and others.

YRC received three rounds of wage and benefit concessions from the Teamsters, with the most recent announced Nov. 1 that includes up to $350 million annually through 2013. Previously, the Teamsters voted to approve a 15% pay cut among unionized YRC drivers. ABF has been unable to receive similar concessions from the union.

On Dec. 16, 2010, Judge Wright (Eastern District of Arkansas) dismissed the suit for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. On April 12, 2011, attorneys for ABF presented their case in the United States Court of Appeal for the Eighth Circuit (St. Louis) as to why the court should overturn a lower court ruling. On July 6, the Eighth Circuit ruled in favor of ABF. The 17-page ruling issued by the three-judge panel included several comments that favored the ABF argument that the lawsuit should be heard in the district court.

“In view of the course of dealing  between ABF and the Union – detailed at length by the district court – the Union may have defenses to ABF’s claims. However, as to the Union defendants and its bargaining representative TNFINC, ABF has rights under the NMFA sufficient to show an injury-in-fact that is fairly traceable to the challenged acts of the union defendants and is likely redressable in court,” the ruling noted.

One of the reasons Wright again dismissed the suit was her opinion that ABF had not followed all the procedures available outside of the courts.
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Retirees Golf Tournament August 9th
Golf tourney August 9th!Revised: August 1, 2012
The Retirees Golf Tournament is August 9, 2012 at Foster Golf Links (13500 Interurban Ave S, Tukwila, WA 98168). The Golf Tournament raises money for the Scholarship Fund. They've got the hole sponsors, now they need you!!!!!!

The $85.00 entry fee per player includes golf, cart, and lunch. In addition to Handicap, Calloway, Raffle, and 'Hole-in-One' prizes, there were also be a 'Poison Ball' challenge. If you don't have a foursome, the GTRC Committee will be happy to put you in one. So, what are you waiting for? Have some fun and help some kids!!!!

Seriously—please consider playing in the tournament. The beneficiaries are the Teamster kids that receive money for their education. Here's the application form. Sign up now!

Following the tournament, there will be a luncheon at the south end of the Teamsters Building in Tukwila. For a measly $13, you will be treated to hamburgers, chicken, potato salad, baked beans, cookies and ice tea! The food festivities start at 12:30. If you plan to attend, please let Diana at JC 28 know no later than August 6th!

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Company to hire permanent drivers in waste strike
Posted: August 1, 2012
Source: AP
Facing growing piles of garbage from a week-old truck drivers' strike and the looming threat of fines, Waste Management has decided to begin hiring permanent replacement drivers, a spokeswoman said Tuesday.

The company also announced plans to expand its waste collection efforts Wednesday.

It planned to run all of its commercial garbage routes for customers normally serviced on Wednesday and provide residential garbage pickup for customers with Wednesday garbage collection in nearly a dozen communities including Seattle, spokeswoman Robin Freedman said.

"We have obligations throughout the Puget Sound region," she said. "We need to get back to work."

Recycling and yard waste drivers represented by the Teamsters Union walked out July 25, and Waste Management's Teamsters garbage truck drivers have honored their picket lines. The strike has affected about 217,000 customers in King and Snohomish counties, including large areas of Seattle. On Tuesday, the strikers extended their picketing to a Waste Management facility in Burlington, in Skagit County.

No permanent replacements have yet been hired, Freedman said Tuesday evening, adding that the waste pickups the company has managed so far have used Waste Management substitute drivers brought in from other parts of the country.

The company is focused "right now" on hiring permanent replacements for striking drivers, Freedman said when asked if Waste Management planned to hire replacements for both strikers and the garbage truck drivers who are honoring picket lines.

She said she didn't have a number on how many permanent replacements the company hoped to hire. Plans called for screening candidates identified at a recent recruitment fair and through ads running this week.

Replacements won't be on the road Wednesday "but it will be soon," she said.

No talks are scheduled in the strike.

"This is another page from their playbook," Brenda Wiest, a spokeswoman for Teamsters Local 117, which represents the striking recycling and yard waste drivers, told The Seattle Times. "It's more of the same unlawful bullying tactics. They do this everywhere. We anticipated this."

Wiest said striking workers have filed multiple unfair-labor-practice accusations against the company.
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City of Burien Follows Seattle's Lead With Stern Letter to Waste Management
Posted: August 1, 2012
Source: Teamsters 117.org
The City of Burien has followed the example set by the City of Seattle and sent a stern letter today to representatives of Waste Management urging the company "to return to the negotiating table immediately... before the service disruption that has already commenced escalates from inconvenience into a threat to public health and safety." 

The letter, signed by City Manager Mike Martin, states that the significant compensation disparity between garbage and recycle drivers "does not reflect the City of Burien's stated commitment to the environment, sustainability and support of family-wage jobs."

The letter concludes with the following remark:  "...we do not wish to exercise the liquidated damages clause in our contract... but we will not hesitate to do so if it is necessary."

View a PDF of the City of Burien to Waste Management here.

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recycle drivers extend pickets north; service disruptions expected in north snohomish and skagit counties
Posted: August 1, 2012
Source: Teamsters 117.org
Striking recycle and yard waste drivers, represented by Teamsters Local 117, extended their Seattle-area picket lines to a Waste Management facility in Burlington, WA early this morning.

The Burlington facility serves customers in north Snohomish and Skagit counties. Local 117 drivers established the picket line at the facility at 5 A.M.

In solidarity with the striking workers, members of Teamsters Local 231 chose to honor the primary picket line and refused to cross the line. Local 231 represents roughly 35 garbage, yard waste, and recycle haulers who work at the facility.

“We are acting in solidarity with our Teamster brothers and sisters at Local 117 to send a clear message to Waste Management to return to the bargaining table immediately,” said Leonard Kelley, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 231.

The decision to extend picket lines comes after Waste Management rejected the Seattle-area drivers’ good-faith offer to stand down pickets and commence bargaining on Saturday morning.

“We have tried to negotiate with Waste Management, but they have refused. We have presented them with several options, but it appears they believe they are above the law and not interested in negotiating a contract with these workers,” said Tracey A. Thompson, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 117.

Instead of negotiating, Waste Management is moving forward with a plan to put hundreds of out-of-town strikebreakers on the roads in Seattle-area neighborhoods. A busload of replacement drivers arrived at the company’s Seattle yard early Monday morning.

“Evidently Waste Management would rather squander tens of thousands of dollars on out-of-town replacement drivers who are unfamiliar with the streets in our neighborhoods than negotiate with its professional and experienced crew of local workers who are eager to continue servicing their customers,” Thompson said.

View a PDF version of this release.

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Picketing Teamsters jam NYC sidewalk in solidarity with pilots
Posted: August 1, 2012
Source: Teamster Nation
Teamsters are raising a ruckus on the sidewalks of Manhattan in support of their Republic Airways brothers from Local 357 in Plainfield, Ind. New York protestThe airline's management abuses the pilots so badly that some qualify for food stamps. It's a spirited, red-blooded picket line outside of Republic's annual meeting.

Truckers driving by honked in support and pedestrians posed in front of the giant inflatable rat for picture taking.

Craig Moffatt, president of  Teamsters Local 357 and a Republic pilot, walked the line with his members and dozens of New York Teamsters. Said Moffatt:

We want a contract that's fair and equitable. No more excuses, no more whining.

Protesters echoed that sentiment in the well-known call-and-response chant: "What do we want?" "Contract!" "When do we want it?" "Now!"

Teamsters International Vice President George Miranda is there holding a sign that says, "Republic CEO gets lifetime medical -- Pilots get food stamps.

The picketing pilots are handing out fliers that say, "Attention Air Travelers: Turbulence Ahead at Republic Airways...Don't Let Your Summer Plans Be Grounded."

And yes, that means the pilots may be forced to strike after the company refused to negotiate a contract after five years.

Inside the building at 666 Fifth Ave. representatives of the Teamsters General Fund will be calling for an independent chairman of the board. We'll let you know how that shareholder vote turns out.

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