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ENERGETIC SHOP STEWARDS & ACTIVISTS TRAINING JUNE 28TH

Al Hobart, Darcy Burner, Rick Hicks
Left-to-right: Al Hobart, Darcy Burner and Rick Hicks. Challenger Burner, a Democrat, is trying to defeat the incumbent U.S. Representative in Washington's 8th Congressional District.

By BILL McCARTHY, Communications Specialist
(June 30, 2008)  There was a heavy turnout of about 100 Local 174 Shop Stewards and Activists at their “Teamster University” Training Seminar held from 9 a.m. through 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 28th. Plus, the formalities were followed by a picnic that lasted until about 3 p.m.

The topic of the day during the Seminar was “Politics and Local 174’s Political Action Program." Knowledgeable guest speakers and three political friends in the midst of their campaigns were present for the event, which took place in the Main Meeting Hall at JC-28 Headquarters in Tukwila. The agenda was a team effort with input from the IBT, JC-28 and Local 174.

The main speakers were Local 174 Secretary-Treasurer Rick Hicks, Joint Council 28/International Vice President Al Hobart, and IBT Field Action Department Director Christy Bailey. The other speakers were Local 174 Senior Business Agent/Education Director Tim Allen, Staff Assistant from U.S. Representative Jay Inslee's (D-1st Congresssional District) Office Sharmila Swenson, and Local 174 Lobbyist Gordon Baxter.

Also addressing the crowd during the proceedings as their schedules permitted, were three political guests running for office currently. They were challenger in the 8th Congressional District for the U.S. House Darcy Burner (D), challenger for Washington State Attorney General John Ladenberg (D), and incumbent Associate Chief Justice of the Washington State Supreme Court Charles Johnson.

RICK HICKS: WE MUST BE POLITICALLY ACTIVE
Secretary-Treasurer Rick Hicks began by thanking the Stewards and Activists present for coming to the Training. He said, “You are our Local Union’s educational leaders. We rely on you to communicate with our general members at your workplaces, including about DRIVE and its daily impact on our lives, and about the need to be part of it.”

He said the main purpose of the Training was to discuss the importance of DRIVE, and the reason why there is a huge need for the Teamsters Union to be active in the Nation’s Political System.

Shop Stewards and Activists heard clearly why DRIVE is important to them and
Shop Stewards and Activists heard clearly why DRIVE is important to them and their families

DRIVE, he added, “is the IBT’s Political Action Committee, or PAC. It stands for Democratic Republican Independent Voter Education. It is a voluntary program that Teamster members sign up for individually, and their donations help give Teamsters a voice in politics at all levels.”

Much of DRIVE’s effort is directed toward national politics, such as the present U.S. Presidential race. The Teamsters are backing Democratic candidate Barack Obama, and DRIVE funds are going to help get out the vote in this Union for Obama. But also, the IBT funnels many DRIVE funds back to the Locals so they can engage in efforts to get, for instance, pro-worker candidates elected to State offices. In Washington State, DRIVE funds are going toward getting the vote out for incumbent Democratic Governor Chris Gregoire, who is a longtime friend of the Teamsters.

Hicks said, “We are pleased that many of our members are participating in DRIVE. But we would like to see a big increase in the numbers of those who are doing so. We need our membership to better understand the great impact of politics on our daily lives. Every decision we make has political attachments that came from decisions made by our elected politicians. We need to be sure to pick the right politicians to elect. We need you to go back and enlist your co-workers to join DRIVE.”

He added, “The IBT is rapidly regaining our power, and is now up to about 1.5 million members. We have lots of political influence if we speak up. And one of the main ways we speak up is through DRIVE.”

Hicks then introduced the next speaker, Al Hobart. He said, “Al is a great support network for Local 174. Whenever we ask for help, he provides it from his dual role as President of Joint Council of Teamsters No. 28, and as an International Vice President and member of the Executive Board of IBT President James Hoffa.”

AL HOBART: WE MUST TURN THINGS AROUND
JC-28 President/IBT Vice President Al Hobart started by complimenting Local 174 for its Stewards and Activists Training efforts. He noted, “Elected Officers in the Teamsters Union at all levels, Local Union and above, cannot do their jobs without your help.”

Hobart said a brief review of the past 7-1/2 years under the George W. Bush Administration itself shows why donations to DRIVE and a strong Teamster Political Action System are crucially important.

Al Hobart, Darcy Burner, Rick Hicks
The crowd listens as Al Hobart speaks

He stressed that people have to remember that voting Bush into office twice has led to the problems we are all facing today. He noted that everyone is impacted by our bad economy under Bush. Gas prices, grocery prices, housing costs, and nearly everything else has been affected by his unwise policies. Another four years of his policies would be forced upon our citizens if John McCain were to be elected in 2008, he added, and would see us getting in even deeper trouble.

Hobart said, “The corruption in Washington, D.C. is now so bad, it is hard to know who is in control.” He said most Labor Laws have been wiped out by Bush and his friends in the Government, and have resulted in Big Business doing pretty much whatever it wants to do when it comes to dealing with its employees.

He emphasized, “I know what I am saying is a harsh message, but it is reality. It is up to us to turn things around.” And the way to do that is to help elect Obama, who is, said Hobart, “our only hope for change.”

He said it is the future that is at stake the most. He warned, “This is a historic election. We will be judged harshly later on for what we do or don’t do. Everything is at risk.” He urged those at the Training to help get more people signed up with DRIVE and participating in politics to help end the Bush nightmare and to help Organized Labor regain its former glory.

CHRISTY BAILEY: BACKING BARACK AND OTHERS
Christy Bailey is one of the chief spokespersons of the Administration of James Hoffa, as a leader in and Director of the IBT’s Department of Field Action. She goes around the U.S. speaking to groups within the Teamsters Union about DRIVE, the IBT endorsement of Obama for President, and other issues. She explains not just what the views of the Teamsters are, but why those views have been formed.

Christy Bailey
Christy Bailey

Bailey began by asking, “Why should the Teamsters be involved in politics?" She answered her own question: "Because it impacts our Union, our lives, and our families.” She said the endorsement of Obama by the IBT came after a yearlong process of polling its membership at all levels of its organization, and: “It was based on commitments made by the candidate, on polling of Teamster members, and on surveys of Local Union and Joint Council leaders.”

Obama backs the Employee Free Choice Act, which if passed would enable workers to form unions without employer harassment. Also, she said, Obama has committed to “renegotiate NAFTA, stop tax breaks for outsourcing jobs, giving Teamsters a seat at the table in future trade negotiations, keeping the border closed to unsafe Mexican trucks, investigating the misclassification of workers, and investing in our country’s infrastructure including things like roads and bridges.”

The IBT is strongly backing JC-28 and Local 174 in their efforts to help get Governor Gregoire reelected. Bailey said of Gregoire, “She took office with a $2.2 billion shortfall and one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. Now, Washington State has a surplus and one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country. She has invested in infrastructure and created good paying jobs — union jobs.”

Bailey ended her comments by saying DRIVE is vital to the IBT’s continued success. She pointed out: “We can make a difference in elections of people like Obama and Gregoire through grassroots politics. But only 56.2% of Teamsters are registered to vote. Only 58% of Teamsters in Washington State are registered to vote. Only 55% of Local 174 Teamsters are registered to vote.”

She said of DRIVE statistics, “Only 9.42% of members are on National DRIVE. Only 2.47% of JC-28 members and 9.21% of Local 174 members are on National DRIVE.”

She called on those at the Training to help the IBT make an even bigger difference politically in the future by “Joining DRIVE, and by being a DRIVE salesperson in your worksite because if you don’t ask they won’t give, and by registering your fellow members to vote.”

Judge Charles Johnson
John Ladenberg
Judge Charles Johnson
Charles Johnson

CANDIDATES BURNER, JOHNSON AND LADENBERG SPEAK
Three candidates visited the Training, and spoke briefly to the participants. They were Darcy Burner, a political newcomer who is running for the second time for the U.S. Representative post in Congressional District 8; Justice Charles Johnson, 18-year veteran Supreme Court Judge who is running to remain a member of the Supreme Court for another six-year term; and John Ladenberg, the veteran Pierce County Prosecutor who is running to take a step up and become Washington State Attorney General.

All three thanked the Teamsters for their support and their group’s endorsements, and spoke to their desire to improve the lots of working families today. All three have been lifelong friends of Labor and said they hope to work with the Teamsters closely in the future should they win in 2008.

COMMENTS BY ALLEN, SWENSON AND BAXTER
Gordon Baxter
Gordon Baxter
Sharmila Swenson
Sharmila Swenson
The other speakers during the Training were Tim Allen, Local 174 Senior Business Agent/Education Director; Sharmila Swenson, a former IBT Field Representative who is now District Director for U.S. Representative Jay Inslee (D, 1st Congressional District); and Local 174 Lobbyist Gordon Baxter.

Allen summed up the comments of all the preceeding speakers by saying, “We all know what’s been going on. Now it is time to go to the polls and take back our country. As a nation we’ve wasted a lot of what our union predecessors fought and died for. Politics is the only way to protect our remaining, and regain our former, power. If we aren’t active, we will lose out because our employers definitely are active.”

Swenson gave an important talk about what PAC’s are, and their financial rules and limitations. She said Labor PAC’s like DRIVE are very important to groups like Local 174 because they help get viewpoints across publicly, and level the playing field against the rich anti-worker forces.

Baxter is a 30-plus year union member in the Metal Trades, specifically the pipefitters. He has been lobbying for many unions for about a decade, and Local 174 for less than a year. He brings lots of knowledge, and lets 174’s leaders know about developments and opportunities in Olympia. He said everything is affected by the decisions of the elected politicians, and stressed that, “Change doesn’t just happen. We have to fight for it. And by being determined and speaking up, we can be effective agents for change. Remember — politics works, and if done well, it makes everything else better. They may have the money, but we have the people, and if we are active in politics we will be heard.”

SKIT FOLLOWED BY A MUCH APPRECIATED PICNIC
The Training ended with a skit featured Allen, Baxter and Local 174 Senior Business Agent/Organizing Director Patty Warren. They humorously showed how tough it can be to get people to sign up for DRIVE. And they showed how perseverance and having facts about why DRIVE can improve Teamster members’ lives, can convince individuals to sign up.

After the skit, the crowd partook of a picnic feast courtesy of Local 174. It featured chicken and steak, plus the fixings, and beverages. We’ll have more about the picnic on this Website, including a slide show, soon.  

Christy Bailey
Getting some Teamsters to sign up for DRIVE is easier if you have factual data to fall back on, to make it clear it is a good idea for them to do it. Here in a skit, a Teamster DRIVE signature solicitor (Gordon Baxter) attempted to get a fellow Teamster member (Patty Warren) to sign up, while a belligerent loudmouthed friend of hers (Tim Allen) voiced reasons he believed made it a bad move to join DRIVE. In the skit, the loudmouth lost, as the woman signed up.
Cooks
These three hardworking folks cooked up mountains of steak and chicken for the picnic that followed the Training. Left-to-right: Ranae and Dave O'Hara, and Dave Jacobsen. Dave O works at Yellow Freight, and Dave J is a 174 Business Agent. Ranae is Dave O's wife.

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SHOP STEWARDS & ACTIVISTS TRAINING JUNE 28TH

Local 174 member signs up for DRIVE
A Local 174 member who works at UPS signs up for DRIVE during the recent Annual IBT DRIVE Campaign, which took place April 7-11, 2008.

By MICHAEL GONZALES, Business Agent and Political Action Director
(June 22, 2008)  Every year Local 174 hosts educational “Teamster University” Training Seminars for our Shop Stewards and Activists, featuring discussion and instruction in many important areas. Such a Seminar will be coming up Saturday, June 28, 2008, in the Main Meeting Hall at JC-28 Headquarters in Tukwila, from 9 a.m. till 1 p.m. All Local 174 Stewards and Activists are invited.

This Seminar is extremely important in this Election Year. The topic on June 28 will be “Politics and Local 174’s Political Action Program.” Our Local Union has a plan to help Labor candidates win in their respective contests. On June 28 knowledgeable instructors will train our members on the importance of DRIVE (Democrat Republication Independent Voter Education), and how to help ensure the success of Labor-friendly candidates.

There will be candidates at the Training who are running for office, who will explain what positions they are campaigning for and why we should vote for them.

WHAT A POLITICAL YEAR THIS IS!
What a year for politics 2008 has been in Washington State already, and what a time it will be in the remaining months as we approach the November General Election!

Our State has been identified as being one of the battleground contests in the Presidential Election between U.S. Senator from Illinois Barack Obama (D) and his opponent U.S. Senator from Arizona John McCain (R). We will have a Governor’s race which will probably go down in history as one of the most expensive ever between incumbent Governor Chris Gregoire (D) and her challenger Dino Rossi (R). And also we are going to be in the midst of a hard-fought contest between challenger Darcy Burner (D) and the incumbent Dave Reichert (R) for the important U.S. Representative seat in our State’s 8th Congressional District that will be watched on a national scale.

LOCAL 174 WILL DO ITS PART
As part of our effort to help out, Local 174 has a Political Action Plan to help pro-Labor candidates win in this very important year. As part of it, we will be holding the Shops Stewards and Activists Training on Saturday, June 28th, as noted above. Please participate in it if you can.

WE ARE AT A CROSSROADS
The Labor Movement today is still very strong and Unions are on the rise everywhere but we are at a crossroads heading into the future.

Despite the recent growth, we have seen our rights as Union Members challenged by the current Administration, demonstrated by President George W. Bush’s appointments to the National Labor Relations Board.

We have seen our rights to card-check neutrality agreements, back pay for unjust terminations during organizing campaigns, and an overall interpretation and enforcement of our labor laws being rolled back after years of recognized law.

This is the year as Union members we must put aside our disappointment in a political process that seems to have forgotten the working man and woman.

In this year the Teamsters Union is endorsing Barack Obama for President, Christine Gregoire for Washington State Governor, and Darcy Burner for Congress. All of these candidates support reforms in health care, the Employee Free Choice Act, and strong rights for Union members.

As Teamsters, members of the strongest and most powerful Union in the Labor Movement, we need to lead and make sure we take an active role in helping these candidates win office. We must take control of our future and not leave it up to chance.

I would like to urge everyone to call the Local and sign up for the Stewards and Activists Training on June 28th. Thank you.

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GREAT TURNOUT AT 2008 TRUCK ROADEO

Chowin' down in the Roadeo tent
The sun was shining at the June 14th Roadeo, and these folks were enjoying the food, drink and company available under the Local 174 tent.

By BILL McCARTHY, Communications Specialist
(June 18, 2008) Each year in Washington State the Washington Trucking Association's Driving Championships are held, and the best Truck Drivers — Teamsters and non-Teamsters alike — gather to show their professional prowess in tough skills competition against fellow competitors from many companies.

The Championships have become known as the "Truck Roadeo," and the Roadeo experience is much more than just a driving contest. Contestants and friends bring their families for a day's entertainment — watching the drivers drive, and feasting on picnic food and drinks, as well as socializing. The Teamsters Union always has many entries in the Roadeos, but always, the most entrants and winners come from Local 174.

This year, the Roadeo was on Saturday, June 14th at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma. Many Local 174 families and friends attended, and all enjoyed themselves. The Local 174 Truck was there, and the Local had a special tent under which excellent Barbecue food, fixings and beverages were served throughout the day, which began with registration for driving events at about 8:00 a.m. and ended with award presentations at about 2:00 p.m.

In past years Roadeo attendees have often had to deal with rainy weather. This year, however, the sun was shining nearly all day and some folks even got sunburned.

 
THANK-YOU'S AND A REPORT ON TEAMSTER WINNERS
Contestants
Some of the Local 174 Roadeo contestants posed for a group picture during a lull in their competition.

Great thanks are due to all those volunteer Local 174 officers, staff and general members who helped with the daunting job of getting the Local 174 tent ready. Their able team managed the logistics of loading, unloading and transporting the tent equipment, the food, and the drinks to and after the event from Cheney Stadium. Their impressive energy was expended also at the Stadium during the day on the tasks of cooking and serving hotdogs, chicken and steaks — and handling the miscellaneous other picnic tasks related to potluck goodies and accompanying condiments.

Thanks are due also to all the 174 members, families and friends who attended this event on a busy Saturday — as there are few instances sadder than to throw a party and have no one come to it. Lots of people came to this party.

And of course thanks are due to all the Local 174 entrants in the Trucking competition. Everyone did well, though we don't have room here to name them all. As a group Local 174 outdid all other Union groups in number of awards. Below we highlight all the Union Company Driver "Medalists" — that is to say, those who took firsts, seconds or thirds in their respective contests.

WASHINGTON 2008 TRUCK ROADEO
UNION COMPANY DRIVER WINNERS

  • Straight Truck Classification, 1st Daniel Poole of Boeing Company, 428; 2nd Kevin Glover of Boeing Company, 323.
  • Three Axle Classification, 1st Johnny Malone, Spokane Transfer, 367.
  • Twins Classification, 1st Mike Mygatt, USF Reddaway, 339.
  • Four Axle Classification, 1st Robert Ness, Safeway, 318; 2nd Steven Sheridan, Boeing, 309; 3rd Chris Bates, Roadway, 302.
  • Five Axle Van Classification, 1st Joel Martinez, Roadway, 330; 2nd Fabien Boucher, Safeway, 328.
  • Five Axle Flatbed Classification, 3rd Edwin Jeffries, Safeway, 334.
  • Five Axle Tank Classification, 1st Dana Moore, Boeing, 419; 2nd Lyle Pond, Safeway, 388.
  • Sleeper Truck Classification, 1st Roy Garcia, Peninsula Truck Lines, 363; 2nd Dane Radke, Safeway, 345; 3rd Chuck Snowden, Boeing, 319.

At the end of the day, Local 174 Secretary-Treasurer Rick Hicks summed it all up:

"I have long held that the Teamsters Union has the most professional drivers in the Trucking Industry and that Local 174 has the most skilled of that group. My convictions were validated at the American Trucking Association 2008 Washington State Truck Driving Championships at Cheney Stadium. There were 159 drivers, Union and non-union alike, from some 25 different trucking companies competing.

"Teamster drivers won first place in six of the eight different qualifying events and Local 174 Teamsters placed first in four of those six, including the Grand Champion, who is from the Boeing Company — Dan Poole. Dan also finished first in the Straight Truck Classification and had the highest score overall of all drivers in this year's Championships."

With Dan in the Local 174 first place winners' circle were Mike Mygatt from USF Reddaway competing in the Twins Classification, Robert Ness of Safeway competing in the Four Axle Classification, and Dana Moore from the Boeing Company competing in the Tanker Classification.

Dana and Dan are repeat State Champions in their respective contests — Dana having won 10 State Titles in all and the past five in a row, and Dan now holds seven State titles. Both are also former National Champions. Mike is also a repeat State Champion and a former State Grand Champion.

They have all qualified for and will now move on to the National Truck Driving Championships in Houston, Texas the week of August 18-22.

GALLERY SLIDE SHOW
We have an extensive Photo Gallery slide show ready for your viewing pleasure here, which features many pictures taken during the Roadeo by Local 174 camera whizzes Business Agents Bill Byington and Dave Jacobsen, and E-Board Trustee Gary Bolen. Take a look; we guarantee it will make you feel like you were personally at Cheney Stadium watching the Roadeo scenario in all its many stages.

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LABOR NEIGHBOR WALK COMING UP ON JUNE 21

(June 13, 2008) ATTENTION PLEASE! Local 174 will have a contingent present on Saturday, June 21st in the Washington State Labor Council's 2008 Labor Neighbor Walk. Please participate if you are able. Local 174 Lobbyist Gordon Baxter will be facilitating the 174 efforts on the 21st. If you have questions about details or directions, you can call Local 174 Business Agent/Political Action Director Michael Gonzales at 206-441-6060. Below the Washington State Labor Council describes the event.

Washington State Labor Council Invitation To Take Part

By the WASHINGTON STATE LABOR COUNCIL

Darcy Burner
Darcy Burner, Local 174's and
Joint Council 28's choice for U.S. Representative in the 8th Congressional District.

On June 21st we will be walking/doorbelling for Darcy Burner (D), Labor-endorsed candidate for 8th Congressional District Representative — and talking to other Union Members about the importance of re-electing our pro-worker Governor, Chris Gregoire (D). We will be starting our walks on June 21st at the Sheet Metal Workers’ Hall, 13513 NE 126th Place, Kirkland, at 9:00 a.m. and will be finishing up at about 1:30 p.m. …

The 8th Congressional District and the Governor’s race are critical for working people in our community and these candidates need your help.

PLEASE LET WSLC KNOW YOU'LL BE THERE
Please send Lily Wilson-Codega your name, email and phone number if you can join us. You can contact her at 206-441-3473 via phone or write her at the following email address:
lily@mlkclc.org

COMMENTS ABOUT IMPORTANCE OF SPEAKING OUT
Our current President has some of the lowest ratings since records began. Iraq is regarded as a terrible mistake. The economy seems to be falling down around us and our dollars are being gobbled-up by the oil companies. Had enough yet? Now is your chance to get out and try to affect some real change in this country. …

This Walk is your opportunity to really participate in turning this country around. It is a wonderful way to exercise both your political rights and your thighs! The moment has never been better — people want to talk to fellow Union members about issues, candidates and how working families can get a fair shake in these troubled economic times.
There is training prior to actually setting out to meet and greet the folks ... and if you've never participated before, we make every attempt to pair you with a seasoned veteran. …

Download a flyer here: http://www.wslc.org/images/junewalkfinal.pdf

Get a pdf notice here: http://www.wslc.org/images/junewalkfinal.pd

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DHL RESTRUCTURING PLANS UNVEILED

(May 28, 2008) After months of speculation concerning the restructuring of its United States operations, Deutsche Post World Net — that is, DHL Express’s parent company — today announced those plans. The cornerstone of their restructuring plan is the surprise announcement that DHL will be subcontracting its airlift operations to UPS.

EVALUATION OF IMPACT
Upon notification, the Teamsters Union immediately began an evaluation of the agreement and the potential impact on Teamster members at both DHL and UPS. New IBT Express Division Chairman Bill Hamilton arranged for a conference call today with the Officers and Agents of all Local Unions with DHL members. While Chairman Hamilton stated his belief that this was “not a negative move,” by DHL, he also expressed great concern about the potential impact today’s announcement will have on the nearly 600 Teamster pilots at ABX, the airline that currently handles most of DHL’s air package volume, as well as other Teamster members at ILN. 

Many of the Agents and Officers on today’s call also expressed similar concerns for their members working in airport operations. In some cases, Locals fought long and hard with DHL during the recently concluded negotiations to secure additional work in their air operations. What impact this announcement will have on those agreements and workers is unclear, but one thing is certain — DHL will have to bargain over any changes the UPS arrangement brings.

COMMENTS BY TIM ALLEN
When interviewed for this article, Local 174 Senior Business Agent Tim Allen, DHL National Negotiating Committee member, noted: “Until we get more information, speculating on how this new arrangement might affect the members of Local 174 is counterproductive.” He added, “Due to the nature of the operation at BFX, our members may not be affected at all.”

“However, one thing is clear,” he emphasized. “Local 174 Secretary-Treasurer Rick Hicks and I are unwavering in our commitment to this bargaining unit. DHL will have to bargain with Local 174 if there are any changes that impact our members.”
 
SECONDARY DHL DEVELOPMENT?
Somewhat lost in the announcement concerning DHL’s deal with UPS was the second part of DHL’s plan — which calls for turning over more of DHL’s unprofitable rural delivery areas over to the Post Office resulting in a decrease in the number of ICs (independent contractors).

This could potentially lead to further expansion for Local 174 in the Puget Sound region. Some progress was made during Local Rider negotiations and this new announcement may provide an opportunity to further expand the Seattle Cluster’s service area. 

SUMMING IT UP
Asked for one last comment, Senior Business Agent Allen had this to say:

“For over a year the pundits have speculated about a Fed Ex alliance or takeover of DHL’s U.S. operations, which would have left all our small parcel/express members with an uncertain future. This unexpected move should strengthen both DHL and UPS — two great TEAMSTER companies — and put their non-union competition on the defensive.”

***

For more information on the DHL situation you can check out: www.teamster.org/08news/hn_080528_1.asp

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RUAN MEMBERS UNANIMOUSLY AUTHORIZE A STRIKE

By BILL McCARTHY, Communications Specialist
Ruan Members Authorize Strike
Ruan bargaining unit members heard from the three rank and file members on their Bargaining Committee at their Strike Authorization Vote Meeting May 18th.
(May 19, 2008) The Contract between Local 174 and Ruan Transport expired on April 30, 2008. The negotiations between the parties were progressing until the Company unequivocally rejected the Union’s key issues. About 85 members of Local 174 are in the bargaining unit. The Strike Authorization Vote was held on Sunday, May 18th at the JC-28 Headquarters Building in Tukwila.

The Ruan grocery drivers heard a lengthy report on the bargaining history to date from Local 174 Secretary-Treasurer Rick Hicks, who is leading the negotiations. They also heard from other members of their Bargaining Committee — Local 174 President Ted Bunstine, 174 staff members Senior Business Agent Tom Mann and Business Agent Carl Gasca, and rank and file members Art Guerrero, Jim Paulson and Doug Frechin. 

Bargaining has been contentious from the start. The first official bargaining session was set for April 15-16. On the 15th, Hicks said, the Company stopped listening before the Union completed their initial proposal, caucused briefly then left abruptly.

Hicks explained to the members the Committee had been unsuccessful in getting the Company to agree with the main points the Ruan members made in their Demands Meeting on March 31st.

A second official session was set for April 25-26. After back to back negotiating days, one of which went late into the morning of the 26th, there was little progress made. At the conclusion of the second day the Company wanted us to sign an extension agreement with the Contract set to expire on April 30th. We declined their request in order to keep all options open as the Company had not demonstrated a serious attempt to resolve our member’s issues. Again, like the first meeting, the Company's negotiators packed up early and left.

Finally, a third session was set for four days, May 16-19. Hicks said after some progress he and the Committee believed a Ratification Vote could be achieved by Sunday, May 18th. But as the theme of this bargain the Company negotiators refused to seriously address the member’s top three non-economic issues. So we decided it was time to take a Strike Authorization Vote to gauge the pulse of our members over the remaining unresolved demands.

The Local 174 Ruan members voted unanimously, 100%, to authorize a strike if one becomes necessary.

Prior to the Strike Authorization Vote, Hicks assured the members that they have strong backing from the IBT and JC-28. Contact between 174 and the IBT and JC-28 is especially close. International Warehouse Director and Local 117 S/T John Williams has agreed to fully support whatever decision Local 174 makes.

Closing the May 18th Strike Authorization Meeting, Hicks thanked the members for their vote of confidence. He stressed, "For now, just continue going to work and doing your job. We don't want an extension, and we don't want a strike. But if we have to have one, we will be ready."

We have scheduled a meeting for Wednesday, May 21, in a last attempt to convince the Company of the seriousness of this situation.

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YOU ARE INVITED TO THE 2008 TRUCK ROADEO

By DAVE JACOBSEN, Local 174 Business Agent
(May 14, 2008) Every year in our State, the Washington Trucking Association's Driving Championships are held somewhere in or near Local 174's neck of the woods. The Best of the Truck Drivers from around Washington State — Teamsters and non-Teamsters alike — gather to display their professional driving abilities and compete for awards against fellow competitors from many companies.

Roadeo
Some of the folks at the 2007 Roadeo

But the competition — which is also called the Truck Roadeo — is much more than just a driving contest. It is a popular family outing, featuring picnic food and drinks, entertainment of various kinds for young kids, and exciting driving to watch. By the way, the Teamster drivers often dominate the Roadeos, and several Local 174 members are multi-award winners and haven't slowed down at all.

JOIN US JUNE 14TH
This year, the Roadeo will be held Saturday, June 14th at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma. Bring yourself and your whole family and join us! The Local 174 Truck will be there, and the Local will have a special tent under which we'll have a Barbecue. The driving competition will start about 8 a.m., and the event will last all day. Vittles, free for Local 174 members and their families, will be served starting about 11 a.m., or whenever we've grilled a sufficient number of hot dogs and hamburgers.

Please come join us at the BBQ. This is a fun family outing, and we guarantee you will enjoy yourself, no matter what the weather. This is no minor deal. Last year some 164 drivers registered to compete, and the contests were tense and close. The 2007 Roadeo was held at the Kent Boeing practice field in South Seattle.

Again in 2008, as has been the case for 18 years, one of the event's chiefs will be our own 174 Senior Business Agent Erv Lemon — who has become known affectionately as the Roadeo's “Den Mother.” His task, which is a tough one he willingly takes on every year, involves making sure the drivers don’t see the course before their allotted performance time. He also makes sure the drivers are not competing in their own companies' trucks. Besides being involved in the State Roadeo competition he has been an assistant at the Nationals in different parts of the country.

Local 174 Teamsters took 6 of the 8 First Places awarded in the 2007 Roadeo. Those six winners competed in the Nationals in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

LOCAL 174 STATE 2007 ROADEO WINNERS
Twins Trailers: 2nd, Dustin Hustad, Oak Harbor Freight; 3rd, Rick Colton, Boeing. Tank Truck: 2nd, Mark Koruga, Boeing; 3rd, Ed Campbell, Yellow. Straight Truck (Solo): 1st, Dan Poole, Boeing. Sleeper Truck: 1st, Roy Garcia, Peninsula; 2nd, Chuck Snowdon, Boeing. Flatbed: 1st, Dana Moore, Boeing; 2nd, Tom Lydiard, Ruan/AG; 3rd, Doyle Urquhart, Peninsula. Five Axle Van: 1st, Robert Ness, Safeway Grocery; 2nd, Robert Rautenberg, Safeway Grocery; 3rd, Joe Martinez, Roadway. Four Axle: 1st, Chris Bates, Roadway. Three Axle: 1st, Mike Mygatt, USF Reddaway; 2nd, Russell Swihart, USF Reddaway.

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LOCAL 174 BYLAWS OVERHAULED AT MAY 8 GMM

GMM
Members follow along during Bylaws' third reading May 8th
By BILL McCARTHY, Communications Specialist
(May 12, 2008) The final Local 174 General Membership Meeting that will be held this year until next September was at times quite boring. But it was at the same time, very important. It was in the Main Meeting Hall at Tukwila Joint Council 28 Headquarters Thursday, May 8th. The members present completed the process of overhauling Local 174's Bylaws, which has been a rather monumental task.

As Local 174 Secretary-Treasurer Rick Hicks said at the start of the GMM prior to turning the microphone over to Business Agent Roger Pardo for the third and final consecutive monthly reading of the proposed changes, "This updating of our Bylaws is long overdue, and much needed. The last time Local 174 attempted to update the Bylaws took place back in the early 1990's and was not real successful. But this time we have done it right."

  • BA Pardo had been given the assignment of forming a Rank & File Standing Bylaws Committee, studying the existing Local 174 Bylaws with the Committee's members, and proposing text changes with them to bring the language throughout the Bylaws up to 2008 needs and proper constitutional standards. Pardo was ably assisted by four Local 174 members who volunteered for this Committee's difficult and time-consuming effort — Dave Macellari, DHL; Steve Kienholtz, Yellow Transportation; Stuart Snow, Todd Shipyards; and Wilson Worthen, Huttig.
  • The Local 174 Rank & File Standing Bylaws Committee eventually came up with forty-plus proposed changes to the Bylaws. By the rules, all had to be voted on individually.

The proposed changes were read and discussed on the floor one by one on May 8th, and then the members voted on whether to accept or reject them — one by one. The voting ballots were collected, and then the counts in all the voting on each individual change were carefully tallied. The results will be verified shortly, and if you are interested in them you can contact Roger at the Local 174 Office and he'll see that you get the information you desire.

OTHER BUSINESS AT THE GMM MAY 8TH
The GMM covered other ground besides the Bylaws reading, voting and tallying. Hicks gave a detailed Secretary-Treasurer's Report, during which he and several Business Agents talked about the various negotiations and issues they and Local 174 have been involved with.
  • Most of the bargaining involving Local 174 has gone well in 2007 and early 2008. Hicks thanked all those at the GMM for their support, and said that the input and feedback of the membership is the fuel that has made and continues to make Local 174 one of the strongest Labor organizations anywhere.  
  • Hicks closed the GMM, wishing all a pleasant summer and urging them to pay attention to political developments and to be active politically, helping pro-worker candidates if they are able to do so.

The next GMM, following the three-month summer recess, will be at 10:00 a.m., Sunday, September 14th in the Tukwila JC-28 HQ Main Meeting Hall. It will as usual be preceded at 8:00 a.m. by an Initiates Meeting.

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LOCAL 174 & 763 OHFL MEMBERS ARE HANGING TOUGH
IN A FRUSTRATING SITUATION

OHFL Solidarity
Some of those who attended the Local 174-Local 763 Oak Harbor Freight Lines Informational Meeting on May 4th posed for a "Solidarity" portrait after it was over.

By BILL McCARTHY, Communications Specialist
(May 9, 2008) The negotiations of the Teamsters with the Oak Harbor Freight Lines Company have dragged on for months. The Contract expired on October 31, 2007. About 600 members are in the multi-state, multi-Local Union bargaining unit. Signatory to the OHFL Agreement are Locals 81, 174, 231, 252, 324, 483, 589, 690, 760, 763, 839 and 962; Alaska/Washington/Northern Idaho Joint Council 28 and Oregon Joint Council 37.

  • Local 174 and Local 763 conducted an Informational Meeting at JC-28 Headquarters in Tukwila on Sunday, May 4th starting at 2 p.m. — to update their Oak Harbor members on the progress or lack thereof of the bargaining.
  • Local 174 has approximately 200 OHFL members, and Local 763 has approximately 70.

The members first heard from Local 174 Secretary-Treasurer Rick Hicks, Local 763 Secretary-Treasurer Dave Grage, 174 Business Agent Brian Davis, 763 Business Agent Evie Gradilla, and the rank and file members of their Bargaining Committee. Then they heard from Local 174 Attorney Dmitri Iglitzin, who talked about proper behavior on picket lines and elsewhere during strikes and other types of work stoppages — and also about unemployment insurance concerns, strike pay, and the rules of both stationary picketing and ambulatory picketing.

  • The good news is, all the affected members of the OHFL bargaining unit including those in 174 and 763 are hanging tough and showing great Solidarity against their stubborn, arrogant, greedy, increasingly anti-union employer.
  • The bad news is, there is no end in sight for the long, drawn-out negotiations

Hicks, who moderated the Tukwila 174-763 Meeting, told those present that the next decision on what happens will be made by the IBT, which is now deeply involved in the Oak Harbor bargaining. All efforts to deal with the owners by the two Locals, with help all the way up to the International Headquarters offices, have been coldly rebuffed by the Company.

OHFL is essentially thumbing its condescending nose at the entire Teamsters Union. That could prove in the long run to be an unwise decision, because the general public, once they find out about the facts, does not feel very charitable toward companies that treat employees the way OHFL is treating their Teamster workers.

Hicks promised to report any new bargaining developments to the Oak Harbor members immediately. In the meantime, he suggested everyone hope for the best, but plan for the worst. He urged the bargaining unit members to save their money, and be ready for a prolonged fight for their rights should one become necessary.

  • He summed it up with, "We are all in it together. We will accept nothing less than a fair contract. We will rise or fall together. Carry that message back to the shop floor and get it across to the employer.

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From the Teamsters E-Dispatch
DHL Express Workers Overwhelmingly Approve National Agreement

(May 9, 2008) More than 7,000 Teamsters working at DHL Express ratified their first agreement by a solid 82%. The Contract, which boosts wages and benefits, improves working conditions and strengthens job security, marks the Union's second new National Agreement in the past month. Read more here.

View preliminary vote count here.

SOON, LOCAL 174 SENIOR BUSINESS AGENT TIM ALLEN, WHO WAS DEEPLY INVOLVED IN THE DHL NEGOTIATIONS, WILL POST HIS OWN  LOCAL 174-RELATED COMMENTS ABOUT THE NEW AGREEMENT ON THE LOCAL 174 WEB SITE. STAY TUNED

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