June 26, 2009: The days are over of just paying our dues and not showing up at union meetings and just letting our leaders take care of our business. We are in a fight that is going to take every rank-and-file Teamster to get in and help.

It’s clear we need to change our union leadership and shift our energy to direct action.

Are our jobs and benefits being protected? I don't see it. Now our pensions are getting thrown in the mix for givebacks. There are rumors of more change of operations on the horizon. We need a plan that rights the ship if YRC and union freight are to survive.

That call was pathetic. They said there was no information because non-Teamsters were on the call. But they robo-called the call-in info to thousands of people. Come on!

Going fishing, following the races, attending ballgame on days off is not going to cut it any more. We must shift our energy and put some time into union activity that raises the pressure on our so-called leadership.

Have you made a phone call to your local officers? How many of you made a call to Washington and tried to talk to Freight Director Tyson Johnson or your regional leaders who sit and negotiate your freight contract supplement? Did you sit down and write a letter to Hoffa? Direct action brothers and sisters is what we need now!

And that will take a plan AND organization.

If you are not member of TDU, join today. If you are a TDU member, sign up a buddy or fellow Teamster now. Sign up for Convoy and start passing them out at work. Organize a TDU meeting in your area.

We can turn our union around. Get involved and make it happen.

Mike Schaffer Local 769, Miami, FL YRC