October 5, 2010: Delegates to the BLET Convention have withdrawn a resolution that would have taken away members’ Right to Vote. In August, BLET members voted three to one to save their Right to Vote. The first one-member, one-vote election for top BLET officers is scheduled for this fall. Read the report from the BLET convention below from Ron Kaminkow, a member of Division 51. BLET Elections Controversy -- Division #98 Does the Right Thing...

October 4, 2010: Thousands of YRCW Teamsters have gone to local union meetings to learn about the proposed agreement. Also, the Central States Pension Fund issued a statement indicating that the Fund intends to work out some benefits for members, if the agreement is approved. The Fund statement also indicates that no member will gain or lose anything by retiring before the agreement is ratified. Ballots will go in the mail on October 7. The...

September 30, 2010: The third UPS national panel of the year will meet October 11-14 in San Diego. Download the docket of cases that will be heard. Download the docket for the Joint National Air Committee. The UPS National Grievance Committee settles disputes and other grievances that have been deadlocked at both the local and regional levels.

UPDATED September 30, 2010: The proposed agreement between YRCW and the International Union is headed for a membership vote, with ballots going out on October 7. Members will have a lot to consider because the concessions and trade-offs in the proposed deal are complicated, and the future of YRCW is on the line. The full text of the agreement is available here. Summary of Terms The agreement with YRCW companies would be extended two years,...

Updated September 30, 2010: The Independent Review Board (IRB) has exposed Hoffa’s Trade Show Director. The IRB's 161-page report on John Perry's web of corruption is available here in three parts: part 1, part 2 and part 3. Boston Local 82 was placed in emergency trusteeship on September 27 as a result of a lengthy investigation by the Independent Review Board and courageous actions by a number of Local 82 members. The action was long...

September 28, 2010: The International Union is losing members, losing revenue, and cutting organizers and representation. Teamster members are sacrificing to save our jobs and our union. Why aren’t top officials doing the same? Pensions cuts. Layoffs. Pay cuts. The Great Recession has hit working Teamsters hard. And our union has been hit hard, too. We’ve lost some 100,000 members and dues revenue is down. Our locals and our International are feeling the pinch. But...

September 28, 2010: Teamster members can elect leadership that will fight for us. Members are organizing now to make it happen in 2011. Tough times require tough leadership. Our Teamsters Union was once known for its toughness. Today members face the worst benefit cuts and contract concessions in our history. When he ran for General President, Hoffa told Teamster members, “The Hoffa name means power.” But the only power we’ve seen is the power that...

September 28, 2010: YRC Teamsters covered by the Western Conference are in danger of losing early retirement. The Fund requires “500 hours of contributory service in the past 18 months” to retire under the PEER 80, 82, 84 plans. It appears that YRC may not return to making pension contributions in January 2011. What can we do to get PEER 80? The Western Conference prohibits self-contributions. Is there another viable option? Could the Pension Fund...

September 28, 2010: These Teamster bus workers make less than the minimum wage! Now they’re uniting with TDU to enforce their rights and win the pay they deserve. The Department of Labor is investigating outrageous wage and hour violations at a Brooklyn-based bus company represented by Teamsters Local 854. Under their Teamster contract at Outstanding Transportation, bus aides, called matrons, make as little as $175 a week to monitor the safety of the physically and...

In 2003, Hoffa boasted, “Today we have restored Teamster pride. We have restored Teamster power....” What's his real record in freight? Pensions in Danger Hoffa promised to strengthen our pensions. Now his promises have turned into excuses. Weak Enforcement It’s not enough that YRC Teamsters gave up wages and pension contributions. Our union is letting management get away with subcontracting, forced overtime with hundreds laid off, and dubious changes of operation. Growth Industry, Shrinking Union...