November 21, 2012 Brownout Hits Local UnionsThe International Union's information brownout is even keeping local officers in the dark. The International has not given Local Unions a copy of the company's bargaining proposals or the Union's own proposals on production harassment and 9.5, which Ken Hall says are priority issues. It's tough for members to back our bargaining committee when we don't even know what's being negotiated. Last time, the Information Brownout ended with Hoffa...

November 21, 2012: Part-time wages are at an all-time low at UPS. How much do part-timers deserve a raise? Consider these facts: The starting rate of $8.50 is less than minimum wage in some states. Before 1982, part-timers made the same wages as full-timers. That year, the starting rate was cut to $8. It has gone up just 50¢ in 30 years. If part-time wages had just kept up with inflation, then the starting wage...

November 26, 2012: UPS Freight Teamsters are under the same information Brownout as UPS parcel teamsters. Several bargaining sessions were held in October and November, but our union has yet to issue any updates or post information that would help unify our workforce to stand together for a good contract. Teamster Voice has learned that management has made a proposal to mingle the road operations of UPS Freight, Parcel and Cartage. We know well they...

November 20, 2012: Last August, a group of stewards and officers were invited to the IBT headquarters in Washington to discuss the contract issues we face at UPS Freight. I attended and wish to thank my local officers and the General Executive Board for the hard work they have been doing thus far on the negotiations. Many of us felt our contract was substandard, but it was the first so we expect a strong contract...

November 20, 2012: Concerned UPS Freight Teamsters have been working with TDU for some time to focus on what members need with our next contract. It's clear that the IBT listened when it came to putting the package of proposals together to bargain with UPS Freight management. Here are some of the key issues we discussed and what the IBT presented to the company. 1. Eliminate contractors taking Teamsters' work. No contractors to be allowed...

November 20, 2012: On October 4, a bunch of New Penn Teamsters near Boston showed up for work wearing skirts. Long skirts, short skirts, even plaid ones. The unusual attention-getting fashion choice of Teamsters was a protest against management harassment and pettiness. Article 12 of the National Master Freight Agreement says that “The Employer has the right to establish and maintain reasonable standards for wearing apparel and personal grooming.” Teamsters who interact with the public...

November 26, 2012: On November 29 officers from freight locals will meet in Kansas City to review the contract proposals that the International union will present to ABF.   ABF Teamsters have every reason to be concerned. Earlier this fall, the IBT mailed contract surveys to ABF employees.  The survey results have not been revealed to members or local unions, but the survey itself was worrisome. Some of the questions were fine, but others looked...

November 20, 2012: Two of the biggest Teamster Pension Plans have adopted a new pension model. What does it mean for members' pensions? Both the Central States Fund and the New England Pension Plan have a new pension model that may affect tens of thousands of Teamsters. Why are employers pushing for the new "Hybrid Plan" model? What will it mean for Teamsters' pensions? Companies are getting increasingly aggressive about getting out of defined-benefit union...

November 20, 2012: Under the "Hybrid" model, the Pension Fund sets up two departments: the traditional pension model and the new one with no employer liability. To switch to the department with no future withdrawal liability, a company has to pay off all its current withdrawal liability, either in a lump sum or on a payment plan. For example, over 10,000 UPS Teamsters in New England were switched into the new plan in September. UPS...

December 14, 2012: Bylaws are the constitution of your local union. They define your rights and responsibilities as a local member, they say how elections will be run, and they set the powers for your officers. Your local union bylaws can be amended, to make improvements. But you have to know how to go about it. In many locals, members can only introduce new bylaws amendments in January.The process of amending local bylaws can vary...