TDU Convention 2007
"Enforcing our contract, reforming our bylaws, running for office: we learned it at the TDU Convention.” Duke Clark, Local 726, City of Chicago The TDU Convention brings together concerned Teamsters who are building a rank-and-file movement to defend our contracts and benefits and rebuild Teamster Power at the local and International Union levels. The Attack on Teamster Benefits This year’s Convention will focus on what Teamsters can do about the attack on our benefits: Protecting...
Attend the TDU Convention
September 14, 2007: "The TDU Convention is where we'll make our plans to strengthen and protect the NMFA."Tim Pagel, Local 988, Yellow, Houston Join hundreds of concerned Teamsters in the Windy City for the 32nd Annual TDU Rank & File Convention, Nov. 2-4 at the Crown Plaza O’Hare in Chicago. Meet with Teamsters in your industry to strategize about contracts and contract enforcement Attend educational workshops led by union leaders, attorneys, and industry experts Build...
Members Prepare as Contracts Come to a Head
August 23, 2007: Teamster employers are on the offensive, attacking our master contracts. Their goal is to win givebacks that will strip away historic gains, threaten our pensions and weaken our union. Concerned Teamsters are responding to the warning signs that the Hoffa administration is going along with the employers. Rank & File Action Beats Givebacks When Teamsters at DHL learned that the Hoffa administration was negotiating a concessionary contract, angry members sprung into action....
Freight Wages Have Fallen $1.44 in 10 Years
August 23, 2007: Freight wages have fallen drastically, measured against the cost of living, in the past ten years. In April 1997, a freight Teamster (Central Supplement) made $18.11 per hour. If that wage rate had just kept up with inflation, today it would be $23.55. The wage today is only $22.11. That’s a $1.44 per hour wage cut in your standard of living. It’s time for some catch up.
Letting UPS Withdraw Would Weaken Our Union’s Power
August 23, 2007: The assets of the Central States Pension Fund are on the rise and our union will lose long-term power in dealing with management if we let UPS split from the fund. Those are the findings of pension experts and industry observers according to areport in this month’s Traffic World magazine. That’s exactly why our union should reject UPS’s bid to break up the Central States fund. Instead, we should be negotiating benefit...
DHL Teamsters Unite for a Good Contract
August 23, 2007: DHL Teamsters are organizing nationally to defend the National Master Freight Agreement and win a good contract for all DHL Teamsters. They’ve already scored one major victory when they forced the Hoffa administration to scrap a “Draft National Agreement” that was riddled with concessions. For months, some DHL Teamsters have heard about secret bargaining between DHL management and Brad Slawson, an assistant to James Hoffa. Then on July 25, the stinky stuff...
ABF Quits TMI, Goes After Your Pension
August 23, 2007: In August, ABF pulled out of Trucking Management Inc. (TMI), which bargains the National Master Freight Agreement, to bargain separately. ABF management has let it be known for some time that they would split. ABF CEO Bob Davidson earlier stated that he wants to pull out of Teamster pension plans and force ABF employees into a 401(k). We need to let him know this isn’t going to happen: ABF always has been...
UPSers Eye Early Deal
August 23, 2007: Sept. 19 will mark the one-year anniversary of the most secretive UPS contract negotiations in Teamster history. Before the month is out, Teamsters at UPS may have a contract to vote on. Teamsters at UPS need to be prepared to evaluate any offer carefully to make sure it includes the improvements in wages, benefits and contract language that members deserve. UPS management has a proven track record of floating weak offers to...
$150,000 Club Study Shows Where to Cut the Fat
August 23, 2007: Teamster contracts and benefit funds are under attack—and our union’s power is on the decline. But salaries for top Teamster officials remain on the rise, draining dues that could be used to organize the nonunion competition and rebuild Teamster Power. Those are the findings of a comprehensive analysis of Teamster financial documents and officer compensation by the Teamster Rank and File Education and Legal Defense Foundation (TRF). Click here to view complete...
$150,000 Club Study Shows Where to Cut the Fat
August 23, 2007: This year’s analysis reveals that more than $20 million in Teamster dues was paid last year to the highest paid Teamster officials, each of whom bags $150,000 or more a year. Teamster contracts and benefit funds are under attack—and our union’s power is on the decline. But salaries for top Teamster officials remain on the rise, draining dues that could be used to organize the nonunion competition and rebuild Teamster Power. Those...