Updated November 19, 2013: Talks have begun between YRC and the IBT Freight Division over a five year extension of the contract. Tyson Johnson held a conference call for local union officials today to report on the initial sessions. Johnson said that no specific demands have been made by either side and that YRC is not asking for additional wage or benefit concessions, but wants more “flexibility.” When questioned on specifics, he said those would...

November 8, 2013: YRC CEO James Welch presented his case to Teamster local officers three days ago for a five-year contract extension, in order to secure new financing. It was not an easy sell. A number of officers at the meeting in Dallas asked tough questions, on everything from the botched idea to buy ABF to what else YRC will be asking for. Welch declined to specify anything else the company would request in bargaining,...

November 6, 2013: If you are a UPS Teamster moving into the new health plan in the West, millions of dollars will be diverted from your pension fund to maintain the health benefits you already have. On November 13, the IBT will mail out ballots to UPS Teamsters covered by the Western Region Supplement and the Local 177 Supplement. The sales pitch will be the health benefits improvements which were won thanks to the overwhelming...

November 20, 2013: Members of 251 United Action celebrate victory in their local union election at the 2013 TDU Convention At the Convention local union officers, stewards and members met for trainings on leadership development, running for local union office, contract bargaining and enforcement, jurisdictional meetings, and more. Ron Beard, a UPS Feeder Driver from Local 767 in Forest Hills, Texas and newly elected to TDU's Steering Committee, attended the Convention for the first time....

November 2, 2013: The Western Region and Local 177 UPS health care website is up. You can find it http://www.wr177healthcare.com. It includes information on benefits but has no information on the diversion of negotiated money from your pension to fund the health plan. An 11-minute DVD is also available, and will be sent out prior to the upcoming re-vote on the UPS contract in the west. It contains the same info as the website.

October 31, 2013: The 5,000 Teamsters of Rhode Island today elected a new team of officers to lead their local forward, in a major reform win. The election posed a contest between the "old guard" led by incumbent Joe Bairos, and a younger reform team led by UPS driver Matt Taibi and Rhode Island Hospital worker Paul Santos to lead Local 251. All ten candidates on the United Action slate were victorious, and will take...

October 29, 2013: On November 5, YRC execs will meet with the IBT Freight Division and all freight local unions to press for a contract extension, reportedly until 2019. Hoffa and the Freight Division have agreed to allow YRC to address local union officials in Dallas. The meeting will come two days before YRC is expected to announce its third quarter results. The company is aiming to refinance its debt, and wants a long-term Teamster...

UPDATED October 29, 2013: Opposition to the proposal to amend pension law to allow retirees' pensions to be cut is growing and gaining force to slow down this train wreck and allow consideration of other options. As reported in Pension and Investments, the growing opposition was in evidence at a Congressional hearing held on the proposal today. Click here to watch a video of the testimonies. Click here to tell your Senators and Congressional Representatives to...

October 25, 2013: UPS announced third quarter profits of $1.1 billion today. Can anyone explain why Hoffa and Hall gave the company healthcare cuts, a longer progression and other contract givebacks? The company's third quarter profits are up a staggering 134 percent. UPS made $469 million in the third quarter last year, including a $559 million charge on their books for pension adjustments. Working Teamsters are still fighting for improvements in seven contract supplements and...

October 17, 2013: Hoffa and Hall are dishing out concessions as fast as employers can serve them up. After spending the summer cutting the healthcare of 140,000 UPS Teamsters, the Hoffa-Hall administration is now targeting Teamster pensions. The Central States Pension Fund is lobbying Congress to eliminate key pension protections and give Central States the power to cut retirees' pensions. Hoffa and Hall's standing with the members has never been lower. So how do they stay...