February 2, 2012: What do our International officials do while bakery Teamsters face production harassment, lost pensions, and threats to their jobs? They head off to the rodeo!

Bakery Teamsters are facing production harassment and concessions. Interstate Bakeries, makers of Wonder Bread, Twinkies, and Hostess products, just filed for bankruptcy and has stopped paying contractual pension contributions for thousands of working Teamsters.

The International Union’s response: Yee-haw, let’s go to the Calgary Stampede!

The Bakery and Laundry Conference announced it will hold its Annual Meeting in Calgary to coincide with the 100th Anniversary Calgary Stampede, in July.

The official meeting announcement has virtually no details about the meeting’s agenda. But it does include a spot for Teamster officials to put down their hat size—for a Stetson Hat to wear to the Stampede.

Meeting registration is $275 per officer (with the free hat). Hotel rooms run $300 to $400 a night, for the six-day affair. Teamster officials are encouraged to bring their spouses and kids.

Thousands of Teamsters at IBC (Wonder, Hostess, etc.) have lost their pensions. They didn’t even get a hat, let alone a trip on the union dime.

Hoffa and Ken Hall are right when they say there’s a War on Workers. Maybe it’s time to put the expensive golf and travel junkets on hold until the war is won.

March 1, 2012: Recruit five new members to TDU by Oct. 1 and we’ll waive your registration fee to the 2012 TDU Convention.

TDU recruitment makes everything we do possible.

Imagine what we could do with even more members. Can you help make it happen?

Click here to download a form to take the TDU Recruitment Challenge or call TDU at 313-842-2600 to get membership applications and recruitment materials.

Recruit five members at the normal rate, or 10 part-timers. Be sure to write your name as the sponsor on each new membership card. Return the filled-out cards on the right and dues payments to: TDU, P.O. Box 10128, Detroit, Mich. 48210.

TDU membership is kept confidential. TDU solicits and accepts membership applications and donations only from Teamsters, retired Teamsters and spouses who are not employers.

Uniting Members to Make a Stronger Union

“I recruited five new members last year. Not everyone joins right away. But when they see us out there working and feel how important TDU is, they’re willing to do their part.”

“TDU brings fresh faces into our movement. It unites members from different industries to share the information and skills we need to make a stronger union.

“We’re only as strong as our members. If you believe in our union and this movement, help build TDU.”

Lupe Hernandez, Ralphs, Local 63, Los Angeles

The Best Advice for Teamster Members

“I recruited eight new members to TDU last year and got a free convention registration.

“A group of us attended and came back with the best legal and organizing advice out there for Teamsters.

“It’s my goal to is to recruit even more members this year!”

Nick Perry, UPS, Local 413, Columbus, Ohio