Organizing to Defend Our Pensions
March 20, 2014: Over 80 active and retired Teamsters filled the chapel at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota to learn about the move afoot in Congress to weaken pension protections, and what is being done to stop it. The meeting was organized by TDU and a committee of Twin Cities Teamsters who are organizing to defend their retirement security. Bob McNattin, a retired member of Teamster Local 120, spoke of the importance of maintaining...
UPS Ohio Rider Ratified
March 19, 2014: The third time’s the charm for UPS management, the Hoffa-Hall leadership, and the Ohio UPS Rider. After being rejected by 55% of UPS Teamsters last October, it was approved by a narrow 52% majority in votes counted today. In the nine months since the first rejection last June, members saw no help from Hoffa-Hall in terms of improvements to the rider. They can’t seem to do a thing for members, but they...
Round 3: Ohio Rider
Ohio Rider The first column contains the results from the secound round of contract votes in October. The second column contains the result from the third round vote count conducted March 19th. Results are preliminary and subject to change. Local City October Rider Vote March Rider Vote Yes No Yes No 20 Toledo 293 269 288 274 40 Mansfield 51 44 65 30 92 Canton 98 61 139 48 100 Cincinnati 133 619...
150 Members at NY TDU Education Conference
March 17, 2014: On March 15, 150 Teamsters attended a day-long education conference sponsored by TDU in New York City to educate themselves and build Teamster solidarity. “It’s inspiring to get together with like-minded Teamsters from all over the Northeast,” said Local 773 member Al Watrous, who made the drive in from Allentown, PA. “Knowledge is power. We need more members to get involved and take the time to learn. I’m looking forward to meeting...
Teamster Bus Drivers Hit the Streets
March 17, 2014: Teamster bus drivers were joined by 150 community supporters on the picket lines in Burlington, Vt. this morning. The Teamster Local 597 members work for the Chittenden County Transportation Authority. Riders include many public school students, and they stand with the drivers. Students gathered in below-zero temperatures this morning to rally and picket with drivers. Then they marched together to school. CCTA drivers are united for a contract that provides good full-time...
UPS Plays Hardball Louisville Members say No
March 14, 2014: UPS management claims it has issued its “last, best and final” offer on a new Air Rider covering nearly 9,000 UPS Teamsters in Louisville. UPS says they are done negotiating with Louisville Local 89 over the Air Rider, and they have thrown down an offer that is even worse than their previous one. The International union has announced they will put the company’s offer to a vote, with ballots mailed out March...
YRCW Execs Get Huge Bonuses
March 10, 2014: Last week the top execs of YRCW each got an $800,000 bonus, as a reward for the concessions approved by Teamster employees and the subsequent debt refinancing. A salaried (nonunion) employee of YRCW sent us an open letter to CEO James Welch regarding the top-heavy priorities of YRCW management, which is reprinted below. For obvious reasons, the letter is not signed. Mr Welch; Congratulations to you and Mr. Harry Wilson and Mr....
TDU Pension Meeting Slated for St. Paul Minnesota
Active and retired Teamsters in Minnesota are organizing a meeting for Sunday, March 16 to address pension issues. The meeting is sponsored by TDU and will be held at Weyerhauser Chapel on the campus of Macalester College at 1:00 pm. Ann Curry Thompson, an attorney well versed in pension law, will be a guest speaker. The meeting comes in response to Congress considering changes to pension law. Teamsters are encouraged to invite co-workers and spouses...
Organizing to Defend Our Pensions
March 10, 2014: Over 120 active and retired Teamsters packed the house on March 8 in Richfield Ohio to learn about Congress being lobbied right now to undermine pension law, and the battle to save our pensions. The meeting was organized by Teamsters for a Democratic Union and a committee of Northeast Ohio Teamsters who have been active in defending their retirement security. The committee is now planning more actions, along with outreach to Teamsters...
Support Growing for UPS Teamsters in NYC
March 7, 2014: UPS has put 250 drivers in New York on notice of termination for standing up to harassment and unfair discipline. In response, elected officials and labor-community supporters are rallying behind the drivers. Political leaders are contacting UPS and a online support petition has been launched by community supporters. Click here to sign the online petition to support Local 804 members who face termination. On Feb. 26, UPS fired a package driver and...