August 23, 2007: “It is the Teamsters’ pension—and particularly the multi-employer plan—that gives the union much of its draw and power, industry observers say.” —Traffic World Magazine, August 17, 2007. Every Teamster officer should know that, and most of them do. So why isn’t there a huge outcry from our union leaders against UPS’s move to split the Central States Pension Plan? Where are the leaders in the Freight Division and our International Vice Presidents?...

August 23, 2007: If UPS or ABF or any other corporation says they will do better than a $3,000 pension at 30 years, keep in mind that with the increased funding, that’s not hard to do. The Central States Fund is paying that now—and will be paying a lot more in a few years. A Teamster under the national contracts, or contracts with similar pension contributions, now accrues $132 per month pension for each year...

August 23, 2007: In 1997, Teamsters at UPS made history by forcing the company to create 10,000 new full-time jobs by combining 20,000 part-time jobs. Now UPS is trying to turn back the clock by stopping new full-time job creation—and even eliminating existing full-time jobs. Ask Nicky Gladwin. In April, UPS management at the San Marcos hub in San Diego told this combo worker and 11-year Teamster that she was being laid off and reduced...

August 23, 2007: As previously reported in Convoy, UPS is preparing to implement new technology that will enable management to monitor drivers like never before. Our National Negotiating Committee began negotiations by submitting strong new language to protect Teamsters from discipline resulting from the new spy technology. UPS Teamsters need to make sure this language is in the final agreement. The case of Local 391 Teamster Ron Revels—a 21-year Teamster who was fired for cutting...

August 23, 2007: By Richard Berg: The 11,000 hospital, custodial, clerical, and manufacturing workers of Teamster Local 743 will get something they haven’t had recently: a fair local election. And Teamster reformers are pushing hard to give Local 743 members a choice in this election. I’m proud to be running for principal officer on the 743 New Leadership Slate. Weak Representation Our local has weak contracts and poor representation. The employers smell weakness and they...

August 23, 2007: Truck drivers will return to the 10-hour maximum driving time on Sept. 14, unless the trucking employers are successful in getting the court to stay its July 24 ruling.   As of late August, drivers still don’t know what the regulations will be after Sept. 14. Neither do the carriers. In a victory for truck drivers and highway safety, the court threw out the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) revised rules...

Future Officers: Big Shoes to Fill The TDU Convention needs to teach members what to do if they win a local election. It should cover the daily business of officers and agents, from each position’s point of view. Our good future officers have got big shoes to fill! Bob Leslie Local 120, Cemstone Minneapolis P.S.—See you at the Convention in Chicago. Editor’s note: Good point, Bob. The TDU Convention will include special workshops for union...

August 23, 2007: Sometimes, your vote is your voice. But on the issue of splitting UPS from the Central States Pension Fund, you won’t get a vote, unless you work at UPS. Because this could weaken our whole union, you should make your voice heard. Go to your September union meeting. Ask your local union officers to take a stand to defend our master contracts, and our Teamster pension plans. We want stronger pension funds...

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August 20, 2007: Industry experts say that pension assets are up, but our union’s power will be down if UPS is allowed to break out of Central States. Industry experts report in this month’s Traffic World that the assets of the Central States Pension Plan are on the rise. They warn that the Teamsters Union will lose long-term power in dealing with employers if we UPS split from the fund. Traffic World is a leading...