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 waive this rule for YRC Teamsters?

After much thought, I suggest the Fund allow members to designate where their benefit contribution be assigned, if YRC is not going to resume pension contributions in January.

If the member chooses the Health and Welfare Trust, they would continue to have their health insurance completely funded.

If the member chooses the Pension Trust, they would have their pension funded but would have to pay a large part of their health insurance premium.

The details and duration of this concession would have to be worked out. It could only be an interim measure to ensure that Teamsters who have been paying 17 percent of their pension to a PEER option would be able to use their PEER option.

Thousands of Teamsters have contributed to the Western Conference Fund for 20 plus years and deserve the early retirement they have earned.

The IBT and YRC should do everything they can to honor their commitment and make this a positive solution in tough times.

Chuck Deaver Local 174, Seattle YRC

Keep Up the Good Work

Keep up the good work guys and gals!

We definitely need TDU to keep a watchful eye over our sometimes not too honest International.

I am enclosing an extra $10 just to help out.

Tim Huettl Local 563, Retired Seymour, Wisc.

Teamsters are coming from across the country on Nov. 5-7 to Chicago to help build the campaign army to elect new leadership for our union.

I’ll Be There

“The 2011 Teamster election will change the course of our union.

“Teamsters across the country will meet in Chicago at the TDU Convention to make plans to vote Hoffa out and rebuild our union’s power.

“I’ll be there and you should too—to build a Teamster army for change.”

Tom Leedham, Secretary-Treasurer Local 206, Oregon

We’re Running for Delegate

“We’re running a team of reform-minded stewards and activists for convention delegate—to give the members of Local 174 a choice.

“They can vote for people who will just be a rubber-stamp for Hoffa, or they can send working Teamsters who will be an independent voice for the members.

“I’ll be at the TDU Convention to talk about how we can win.”

Mike Waine, Allied Waste Local 174, Seattle

I’m Joining the Campaign Army

“I’m joining the campaign army to elect strong, reform leadership for our union.

“The TDU Convention is where we’ll get organized and make plans to make it happen.

“I’ll be there—you should too!”

Michael Savwoir, UPS Local 41, Kansas City

Click here to register for the TDU Convention.

August 20, 2010: Do you get useful and reliable information from this website about our union? Do you ever wonder how we do it?

We are supported by concerned Teamsters, like you. You are our number one source of support, including financial support.

Teamsters donate to Teamsters for a Democratic Union every day – in large and small amounts. If you think our union needs this information source and a watchdog organization, please don’t be a “dues cheater,” – pitch in and help us grow stronger. You can do quickly right here and your identity is kept confidential.

“I’ve learned everything about being a union activist from TDU. TDU shows us that real power comes from an informed membership.

“This is a serious time for our union and we need to step it up. That’s why I dug deep to give a donation even though we’re working under a 15 percent pay cut. We need more of you to donate too.”

Mike Schaffer, YRC Local 769, Miami

“I wanted to make a donation because I want to help support the TDU cause. I think the information and advice TDU provides to the members is very valuable.

“That’s why I’m donating $200 a year in small monthly payments."

Scott DiBona, UPS Local 804, New York

Click here to donate to TDU.

“I’ve learned everything about being a union activist from TDU. TDU shows us that real power comes from an informed membership.

“This is a serious time for our union and we need to step it up. That’s why I dug deep to give a donation even though we’re working under a 15 percent pay cut. We need more of you to donate too.”

Mike Schaffer, YRC Local 769, Miami

“I wanted to make a donation because I want to help support the TDU cause. I think the information and advice TDU provides to the members is very valuable.

“That’s why I’m donating $200 a year in small monthly payments."

Scott DiBona, UPS Local 804, New York

Click here to donate to TDU.

Check out these new workshops for the TDU Convention, Nov. 5-7 in Chicago.

Getting Results without Grievances

Is management getting its way while you get bogged down in the grievance procedure? How to avoid getting stuck and resolve workplace problems through organizing and action.

Dealing with Different Kinds of Supervisors

The boss who won’t make a decision. The fake friend. The bully. How to protect members and enforce the contract by tailoring your grievance tactics to the boss you have.

UPS Production Discipline Cases

A step-by-step guide on how to investigate SPORH disciplinary cases, collect the information you need, and dismantle management’s case.

Running for IBT Convention Delegate

Hear from past delegates how to build your campaign organization, get your message out, and turn out the votes you need to win. Plus, what to expect at the IBT Convention.

The Future of Teamster Power

The next year will set the course for the future of our union. What changes are needed to get our union moving in the right direction? And what does the TDU movement need to be doing to reach our goals?

Plus much more...

• More workshops on pensions, grievances, bargaining, and much more.

• Workshops in Spanish.

• Meetings for UPS, freight, rail, carhaul, waste, UPS Freight, warehouse.

• Caucus meetings for African American, Latino, and women Teamsters.

Click here to read more and register for the TDU Convention.

Join Teamster members who are keeping TDU going strong.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

It’s not an easy time to be a Teamster. The corporate sharks smell blood in the water. And under Hoffa, our union is a ship without a captain––drifting whichever way the wind blows.

Now more than ever, our union needs a new vision and a new direction. We can protect our standards, defend our contracts, and preserve our benefits––but only if we mobilize rank-and-file power.

That’s what Teamsters for a Democratic Union is all about.

TDU has always been there––informing the members, training new leaders, uniting Teamsters to take on corporate greed and take back our union. That’s why I’ve been a proud supporter of TDU for decades.

We need TDU––and TDU needs us. Hoffa isn’t going to bankroll his opposition. If we want a strong TDU, it’s up to us to make it happen.

I hope you’ll make a generous donation to keep TDU growing. The future of our union is at stake. We need to answer the call.

In solidarity,

Tom Leedham Local 206, Oregon

“When you’re up against a company like UPS, you really know how important it is to have an organization like TDU to stand by you day in and day out.

“I got a letter asking me to donate and I feel like that’s the least I can do to keep TDU up and running. I’m giving $100 and I hope you dig deep to give what you can too.”

Todd Hartsell, UPS Local 90, Des Moines

“I use the education and tools from TDU everyday to protect my job and help other young Teamsters at UPS. When a lot of other things seem to be going wrong, TDU is there to show us the road ahead.

“I can’t give much at one time––that’s why I’m making a pledge of $10 a month to help TDU.”

Hollie Goldsmith, UPS, Local 413, Columbus

“TDU is entirely run and supported by the membership. We rely on the generous donations of committed Teamsters to keep TDU going––to continue getting information out to members and help them make informed decisions, to keep our organizers out in the field, and to build the movement to save our union.

“We need your support, however big or small. Donate today.”

Willie Hardy, Local 667, Memphis Trustee, Teamsters for a Democratic Union

Make a Donation to TDU Today

Is management playing games with your grievances? Find out how you can turn the tables on them at the TDU Convention.

Join stewards, officers, and labor experts for over a dozen workshops, including Writing and Investigating Grievances, Aggressive Grievance Handling, and Preparing for Arbitration.

Register online here.

“I’ve just been elected shop steward, and the TDU workshops have helped me learn how to investigate and pursue grievances and fight for the members.

“I’m looking forward to going to my first TDU Convention to meet other Teamster reformers and discuss how we can turn our union around and make it work for the membership. I hope to see you there.”

Chris Lang, Local 814, New York

Box 10303, Detroit, MI 48210 | (313) 842-2615

TDU’s sister organization, the Teamster Rank and File Education and Legal Defense Foundation (TRF), is a tax-exempt, not-for-profit charitable foundation, dedicated to providing Teamster members with the tools they need to fight for justice on the job and a stronger, more democratic Teamsters union.

Since its formation in 1977, TRF has provided grassroots education and leadership development programs to help Teamster members win important advances, including better national agreements, better pensions, legislation to make Teamster work safer, and direct rank-and-file election of top Teamsters officers.

TRF’s programs are grounded in the traditions of solidarity and participatory democracy that lie at the heart of all progressive social movements. The gains won by reform leaders in the Teamsters have benefited working people as a whole—reflecting our vision that unions can be a progressive force for all working people.

TRF’s work is made possible by the generous donations from Teamster members—and from supporters who share our vision of a labor movement that uses rank-and-file power to fight for all working people.

We have also been fortunate to gain the support of progressive, pro-labor community/social change foundations. TRF has never and will never solicit or accept any funds from any employer-related or anti-labor sources.

For more information about tax-exempt organizations, including TRF, go to www.guidestar.org. Our Federal I.D. is 38-2883689.

To show your support for our efforts to build a stronger Teamsters Union from the bottom up, you can make a tax-deductible contribution to TRF online today.

Donate to TRF and help Teamsters build a stronger union from the bottom up.

Contact TRF with a question or comment.

June 1, 2010: Teamsters can beat givebacks, even in a tough economy. Just ask the members at ABF.

ABF Teamsters united and soundly rejected a 15% pay cut that was promoted by both the corporation and the Hoffa administration.

Too often, when employers demand givebacks, the Hoffa administration comes to members with a sales pitch and excuses, instead of a plan to win.

When another major Teamster employer, Coca-Cola, demanded contract concessions, it looked like it might be a different story.

The IBT threatened to take nationally coordinated strike action to stop Coke from moving toward nonunion, third-party distribution.

Local officers united behind the plan to save Teamster jobs. Our union had the leverage to win. Instead, the IBT caved and gave the green light to a deal that puts Teamster jobs at risk.

It doesn’t have to be this way. Our union can win good contracts even in a bad economy. Local 814 members have done just that.

These Teamsters elected new leadership and launched a contract campaign to put an end to givebacks and rebuild their union’s power.

Now they’re celebrating a contract that restores healthcare cuts, saves their pensions and delivers major wage increases to the lowest-paid members.

Our union has the power to stop givebacks. Members need to get involved and demand that our leaders use the leverage we have to win the contracts we deserve.

To TDU Convention Attendees:

To complete convention registration, of for questions regarding the Convention, contact the TDU staff in Chicago. The hotel phone number is 773-693-5800; ask for the O'Hare Boardroom, which is the TDU convention office.

-- The TDU Steering Committee and Staff.

Are you concerned about where our union is going, and ready to do your part? Now is the time for you to register for the TDU Convention, Nov. 5-7 at the Holiday Inn Chicago O'Hare.

Top 5 Reasons to Attend the TDU Convention

1. The Best Education in Our Union

“I live in rural North Carolina—where there is not much labor activity. The workshops at the convention have armed me with the knowledge I need to write and present stronger grievances, know my rights as a union member, and understand labor history.”
Nichele Fulmore, UPS Local 391, Lumberton, North Carolina

2. TDU Gets Us the Facts

“Freight Teamsters are worried about the future of our jobs and pensions. TDU is where we go to get the true facts we need to stay informed and join up with other members who want to turn things around.
“We'll be meeting up at the Convention in Chicago.”
Butch Lewis, Holland Local 100, Cincinnati

3. Meet Teamsters Who Are Making a Difference

“You meet the most amazing people at the TDU Convention: Teamsters who are holding management to the contract, mobilizing the members, and winning local union office. I always come back with new ideas and new inspiration.”
Alex Tenchavez, UPS Local 396, Los Angeles

4. Get Inspired

“It's easy to think that you're all alone—but then I went to the TDU convention last year, and it really opened my eyes and gave me new hope. The people in TDU are living proof that we can make a difference in our union.”
John Lattanzio, YRC Local 690, Spokane

5. Save Our Union

“The next year will determine the future of our union. It's up to us to turn the union around and make our union great again. Are you ready to get involved and make a difference? Be there.”
Frank Halstead, Ralphs Local 572, Los Angeles

Three Days of Teamster Education

Over a dozen hands-on workshops led by Teamster leaders, attorneys and experts on

• Bargaining
• Grievances
• UPS Production Harassment
• Pensions and Benefits
• Running for Office and Convention Delegate
• Legal Rights
• Teamster History
• TDU Success Stories
• and much more...

Special meetings for UPS, freight, rail, carhaul, waste, UPS Freight, movers, warehouse, and other Teamster industries. Plus caucus meetings for African American, Latino, and women Teamsters.