Organizing News and Information

The Local Union has secured it’s first two organizing drives of the year.  OMA INC a construction company that does private and PLA work, agreed to card check with the Local and we are now starting negotiations to secure a first contract.  Ray Armenta and John Cobun will be the rank and file members assisting Patty Warren and Tom George
with negotiations.

The Local Union has also secured card check with Parsons/RCI Inc.  This is also another construction company which does private and PLA work.  We will put out more information on this latest organizing win as soon as we secure bargaining dates with the company.  

The organizing dept would like to congratulate all these new members on becoming Teamsters. Local 174 is committed to organizing within our core industries. Please call Michael Gonzales or Patty Warren if you know of anyone who would like union representation at their company.

Michael Gonzales

Patty Warren

The organizing department has started out at full speed. Michael Gonzales and Patty Warren have been hired to staff the department and work as a team to organize more members and secure first contracts.

Michael Gonzales is an experienced organizer who has won elections in his previous stint as an organizer in 2003. He was an integral part in the Columbia Distributors organizing drive that netted this Local 250 more members. He has also organized members at Cedar Grove and UPS.

Patty Warren has more than 20 years experience in the Labor Movement primarily in contract negotiations and corporate campaigns. The Local is confident that the mix of organizing experience plus contract negotiations will not only result in victories but also strong first contracts. Currently Patty is wrapping up negotiations at Laidlaw to secure those members their first contract. Michael has active organizing campaigns which we will report more on as they develop.

Also Trustee Gary Bolen chaired his first rank and file organizing meeting January 27. Attending were Michael Gonzales, Dan Mills, Ryan Johnson, Nate Madoulet. The committee discussed upcoming organizing targets, how often the committee would meet and also how to increase participation among the membership.

If you are interested in being part of the organizing committee please contact Michael Gonzales at Teamsters Local 174.