VIEW LETTER AS PDF HERE.

May 25, 2022

To the Members of Teamsters Local 174:

This letter is to inform you that a vote on a proposed assessment increase will be conducted at a “Special Membership Meeting”, to be held on July 16, 2022 at 8:00 A.M., at the Teamsters Local 174 Union Hall, located at 14675 Interurban Ave. S., Tukwila WA 98168. This vote will amend the assessments in the By-Laws of Teamsters Local 174.

At the May 12, 2022 General Membership Meeting of Teamsters Local 174, an amendment was submitted by a rank-and-file member, and signed by seven (7) members in good standing, to amend Article 32 (Section A. #8 & #9) Strike Fund Assessment and Article 33 (Section A. #2) Organizing Fund Assessment of the Local 174 By-Laws. The text of the proposed amendments are as follows:

32. Strike Fund.

(Reaffirmation date May, 13, 1999)

1. Strike Fund.
2. Moneys in the Strike Fund shall be kept in a separate account with collected moneys from the fund being transferred monthly. A separate accounting shall be maintained for the Strike Fund.

2. Moneys accumulated from the Strike Fund shall be dispensed according to the needs of each particular strike as determined by the Local 174 Executive Board.

3. Strike benefits shall be defined as weekly benefits or other strike-related expenses as determined by the Local 174 Executive Board.

(Art 32 A3 changed by the membership on March 14, 2002) 

4. Strikers employed for a period of three (3) or more days during the customary work week of the company on strike will not be eligible for Local 174 strike benefits.

5. In order to receive strike benefits, striking members must be actively picketing as directed by Local 174.

6. To receive strike benefits, striking members must be in good standing with Local

7. The administration and distribution of the Strike Fund shall remain the responsibility of the Executive Board of Local 174.

8. The Strike Fund assessment shall be $3.00 (three dollars) $6.00 (six dollars) per month per member. If the Strike Fund recedes to $1,500,000 (one and one half million dollars) the monthly assessment per member shall automatically increase to $5.00 (five dollars) per month until it reaches $2,000,000 (two million dollars). At that point the monthly assessment shall be reduced to $3.00 (three dollars) per month.

9. The Local 174 Strike Fund will pay strike benefits of $200 (two hundred dollars) per week if

Strike Fund assets are below $1.75 Million, or $300.00 (three hundred dollars) per week if Strike Fund assets are above $1.75 Million and below $2.75 Million, $400.00 (four hundred dollars) per week if Strike assets are above $2.75 Million and below $3.75 Million or $500.00 (five hundred dollars) per week if Strike assets are above $3.75 Million, to members who otherwise meet the qualifications of eligibility under this resolution and the IBT Constitution.

(Art. 32. (A) (9. changed by the membership on January 13. 2005)

1. Strike Interest Fund (Corporate, Strategic Campaigns Fund).

It shall be an appropriate use of Strike Fund interest moneys to fund contract campaign strategies as an alternative or supplement to strikes.

33. Organizing.

(Reaffirmation date May 13, 1999) 

1. Organizing Fund:
2. The Organizing Fund shall be a separate fund from any other in the Local.

2. There shall be a three (3) six (6) Dollar assessment per member per month to fund the Organizing Department.

(Art. 33, Sec. A-2 amended from two (2) dollars to three (3) dollars by the membership on Oct. 14, 1999)

3. All interest generated by the moneys in the Organizing Fund shall be kept in said  

4. The administration and distribution of the Organizing Fund shall remain the responsibility of the Executive Board of Local 174.

As stated earlier, T the proposed amendment was submitted and signed by seven addition members in good standing, and so it now goes to a vote by the full membership of Local 174. The Vote will be conducted in accordance with Article 18 of the 174 By-Laws which read as follows: 

18. Special Assessments, Dues, and Initiation Increases

(Article 18 title changed and re-lettered by the membership on February 14, 1999) 

1. General or Special assessments and levies may be made from time to time in the manner provided hereinafter.

1. Any increase in the rate of dues or initiation fees or the levying of any general or special assessment shall be made at a general or special membership meeting in accordance with the following procedures:

(a). A notice published in any union periodical mailed to the membership, shall be mailed by the Secretary-Treasurer to each member at his last known address at least fifteen (15) days prior to the meeting at which the membership will consider the question of whether or not such dues, initiation, reinitiation, or reinstatement fees, general or special assessment shall be changed or levied. The notice shall indicate that a proposed increase or assessment is to be voted on.

(Change approved by the Membership May 14, 2008)

(b). At the meeting called as provided in this section, voting shall be by secret ballot of the members in good standing.

(c). A majority vote by secret ballot of the members in good standing at such meeting shall decide the issue.

(d). This provision supersedes Article 29 with respect to changing the dues and fees set forth in the By-Laws.

(Note:  The members cannot waive the requirement that secret ballot votes be conducted to approve these financial transactions.)

(Change approved by the Membership May 14, 2008)

Voting will be in person. You must be present at the meeting with dues paid current in order to vote. This is a member driven Union and your voice and your vote matter. Please make every effort to attend. If you have any questions please contact your Business Agent or call the office at (206) 441-6060.

In Solidarity,

General Teamsters Local Union No. 174

Rick Hicks

Secretary-Treasurer