Northern California Teamster February, March 2008 issue

2008·21.8 MB·English

by  International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Serving more than 7(M)00 Teamsters and their fam ilies
Volume 53, Number 1 February/March 2008
Bush administration defies new law by continuing pilot program
Teamsters back in court to stop unsafe Mexican trucks
The Bush administration broke “We filed this lawsuit to stop the il­
yet another law in continuing legal cross border program before it start­ | Say No to cross border trucking!
to allow long-haul trucks from ed,” explained Joint Council 7 President
Mexico to use U.S. highways, accord­ Chuck Mack. “While the court denied an
Rally to support the Teamster lawsuit
ing to a letter filed by the Teamsters injunction, they scheduled the matter for
j
Union in the 9th Circuit Court of Ap­ hearing. We know that the Bush scheme Tuesday, February 12
peals in San Francisco. is dangerous to the driving public across
Local 70, the IBT, the Sierra Club America and harmful to the environment. 8-9 a.m.
and other groups submitted briefs in But more than that, it’s just plain illegal.”
1 SF Appellate Federal Courthouse
support of the lawsuit in early No­ Before the filing, the Teamsters had
vember. Oral arguments have been set already challenged the legality of the 95 7th St. @ Mission (near Civic Center BART)
for February 12 and the Teamsters pilot program, saying it breaks several
plan to rally there to show the court laws, including: I Busses leaving at 6 a.m. from
their resolve against Bush’s illegal ► Trucks from Mexico can break fed­
I Local 70 (Oakland) & Local 287 (San Jose)
cross border trucking scheme. eral highway safety laws requiring
A federal law took effect on Dec. vehicles to be certified by the man­
all conditions set forth by Con­ at the Otay Mesa border crossing in
26 that bans funding for the adminis­ ufacturer that they meet U.S. safe­
gress. The inspector general report­ December to draw attention to the
tration’s “pilot” program to allow ty standards.
ed on August 6, 2007 that FMCSA issue. “If Congress won’t act to protect
long-haul trucks from Mexico to trav­
► A 2002 law forbids trucks from has not met those conditions. drivers on U.S. highways, the Team­
el beyond the narrow border zone and
Mexico beyond the border until the
sters will convince the court to do so,”
use American highways. In brazen de­
states can enforce their violations Crash investigation called for IBT General President Hoffa said.
fiance of that and other laws, the Fed­
of federal highway safety laws;
According to news reports, two Joint Council 7 has called a rally at
eral Motor Carrier Safety Administra­
five states have said they cannot do
tractor-trailer trucks with Mexican li­ the Federal Courthouse in San Francis­
tion (FMCSA) refused to shut down
so, according to the Transportation
the pilot program. cense plates crashed and burst into co before the February 12 hearing.
Department inspector general re­
flames on a bridge linking Reynosa, “We want to see a crowd of Teamster
The Teamsters believe the pilot
port on September 6, 2007.
Mexico and Pharr, Texas, on January members standing up for the law and
program creates a dangerous prece­
dent on American highways because ► A 2007 law forbids FMCSA from 10. Four people died and six were in­ opposing this illegal program,” Mack
Mexican trucks and truck drivers are letting trucks from Mexico on our jured. added. “Our priority has to be safe
not held to the same safety standards highways until the inspector gener­ Even before this horrendous acci­ highways, free of dangerous Mexican
as their U.S. counterparts. al certifies that the agency has met dent occurred, the Teamsters led a rally trucks.”
UPS Freight campaign: Biggest successful freight organizing drive in 40 years
Joint Council 7, Local 70, and the IBT have and union actions to try to organize this company
teamed up to get the employees at UPS Freight to when it was Motor Cargo and Ovemite, starting back
sign cards saying they want to be Teamsters. In just in 1999,” says Joint Council 7 President Chuck
four days, more than 150 out of the over 200 em­ Mack. “It was grueling for our organizers and for our
ployees at the UPS Freight San Leandro facility rank-and-file members who supported the strike. But
have signed union cards. it was even worse for the drivers who couldn’t get
This effort is part of an IBT campaign to get all the union recognition that they wanted.”
12,600 UPS Freight employees to join the Teamster Mack says that this is the biggest successful
family. In addition to the workers in San Leandro, a freight organizing drive in more than 40 years.
majority of UPS Freight workers in Louisville and “Everybody played a key role. Our Joint Council
Lexington, Kentucky, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, 7 organizer Pilar Barton came together with Local
Southern California, Seattle, New England, Mem­ The UPS Freight organizing team (from right to left): Pilar Bar­ 70 Business Agent Bob Aiello, International Orga­
phis and Detroit have submitted cards to become ton, Joint Council 7; Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, International nizer Eddie Mustafa Muhammad and several volun­
IBT; Stacy Alvelais, Bread Locals; Bob Aiello, Local 70; Frank
Teamsters. teer organizers to make sure that we got cards
Harm, Bread Locals; and Frank Bruno, UPS; who all worked to
UPS, the Teamsters’ largest employer, had signed from employees who work all three shifts.
get more than 160 employees to sign cards in just six days.
bought Ovemite Transportation in 2007 and re­ They did the job in just six days. It’s a campaign to
named the operation UPS Freight. The company does not have to go through the NLRB election be proud of!” Mack added.
agreed to recognize the union if a majority of em­ process, which is too often riddled with employee Local 70 looks forward to participating in bar­
ployees at a facility signed union cards (known as harassment and intimidation. gaining to make sure these drivers get a good con­
“card check neutrality”). This means that the union “We went through more than three years of strikes tract and solid Teamster representation.
Page 2 February/March 2008
SACRAMENTO REPORT
President's Report
Teamsters oppose bad health care reform bill
\
When Governor Schwarzenegger ► The bill contained an individual man­
by
declared 2007 to be the year of health date, obligating every Californian to buy
care reform, unions across California health insurance, but failed to contain
Chuck Mack
cheered the concept. It was about time adequate affordability provisions. Those
the state took seriously the problem of who couldn’t afford health care premi­
runaway health care costs and mil­ ums could find their wages garnished
Is George Bush above the lawP
lions of uninsured Californians. and liens placed on their property.
It may be a new year but we’re having trucking. Dorgan said he will schedule a Nearly a year of hearings, meetings ► Rather than mandating that larger
some of the same old problems. Try as Senate hearing as soon as possible and he and rallies resulted in the legislature employers pay a percentage of their
we might they just don’t seem to go wants the Bush appointees at the Federal passing AB8—a decent, though far total payroll toward healthcare, the
away. Motor Carrier Safety Administration to from perfect, reform bill, which man­ employer contribution could be met
Late last year, Con­ explain why they’re dated that employers either insure all by providing coverage to executive or
gress passed the Om­ above the law. of their employees or pay into a state management level employees only.
nibus Appropriations KaUy to Say NO to There is a second front fund to cover the uninsured. Unfortu­ ► The bill did not protect workers
Bill. It provided $550 on the cross border truck nately, the Governor did not sign AB8 from being misclassified as independ­
billion to cover gov­ cross border trtukmq battle—the legal one. because he felt that it cost employers ent contractors, giving employers yet
ernment spending pro­ Last year, the Internation­ too much money. another way to skirt their obligations
grams but it also cut Tuesday al, Local 70 and environ­ Instead, he called a Special Session to cover their employees.
the funding for George mental groups sought an of the Legislature to come up with a dif­ ► The bill did not give union trust
February 12
Bush’s Mexican cross injunction in Federal ferent plan. After more hearings, more funds and collectively-bargained pub­
border trucking 8-9 a.m. Court that would have meetings, and more rallies, the Assem­ lic employees guaranteed access to the
scheme. As might be prohibited the cross bor­ bly came up with a new bill: AB IX 1. pool’s bulk pharmaceutical rates.
SF Federal Courthouse
expected, the President der program from seeing As this newspaper goes to press, it Those are just a few examples of
and his cronies claim (95 7th Street) the light of day. The court seems as if this bill has died in the Sen­ the economic harm that would have
the new law doesn’t found no irreparable harm ate Health Committee and will not like­ been caused to the working men and
apply to them and have and denied the injunction, ly be considered, as proposed, again. women of this state had this bill been
continued the cross border program. but scheduled the matter for hearing. The Teamsters had taken an “Op­ passed as currently written.
We’re not happy. Times up! On February 12, 2008, the pose Unless Amended” position on Furthermore, the California’s Leg­
Neither are our allies—Public Citizen, 9th Circuit Court of Appeals will hear our the bill. Here are a few reasons why: islative Analyst determined that im­
Owner/Operator/Independent Driver As­ case. We are confident in our position. ► The bill enabled employers like Fed­ plementing the reform package would
sociation and the Sierra Club. Cross border trucking with Mexico, as Ex and Wal-Mart to manipulate the law cost billions more than originally esti­
We’ve raised our voice in protest, proposed, is unsafe, it puts highway users by dumping their low wage workers mated, at a time when the state al­
written letters to governmental bodies at risk and it’s unfair to U.S. commercial into the purchasing pool without pro­ ready faces a crippling deficit.
and even rallied against. So far, no drivers by requiring that they comply viding adequate funding for them. California’s health care system is
change from the Administration. with safety regulations that are not en­ While union employers would contin­ broken, however, bad health care re­
As with the war in Iraq and so many forced on drivers from Mexico. ue to pay for health care coverage, their form is worse than no health care re­
other issues they’re “staying the course.” The Teamsters will be there on the competitors would get tax-subsidized form. Tell your legislators to do health
We’ll see for how long. 12th to hear the case and will host a rally coverage for their employees. care reform the right way.
In mid-January, Byron Dorgan, the in front of the Federal Court building
Senator who authored the provision end­ prior to the hearing. I urge members,
ing cross border trucking, blasted Bush’s friends and family to join us and help put
The California Teamsters are represented Policy Committee
decision to continue the program. He a human face on this case.
at the California Legislature and before state
called the action illegal and presented an We’ve won in Congress, we’ve won A policy committee of eight members from
administrative agencies by the California
opinion from the Senate’s Legislative with the public, now let’s win in court. each Joint Council is responsible for the devel­
Teamsters Public Affairs Council. Barry
opment of the Council’s long-term political, leg­
Counsel “verifying that the intent of the I’ll see you on the 12th!
Broad, Shane Gusman and Liberty Sanchez
islative and education policy, screening candi­
amendment” was to end cross border are the Legislative Representatives and Marsi
dates and making recommendations for en­
Newman is the Public Affairs Administrator.
dorsement for statewide offices. Members are:
Per Capita Tax Joint Council of Teamsters 7: President
USPS 395-880 Chuck Mack, Franklin Gallegos, Robert
TE2&M8TER All Teamsters affiliated with Joint Councils
Morales, Jack Bookter, Dale Robbins, Rome
ISSN 0468-690X 7,38 and 42 support the California Teamsters
Aloise, Carlos Borba, Ernie Yates.
Public Affairs Council through a per capita tax
Joint Council of Teamsters 38: President
The Northern California Teamster is published 5 times per year of 25 cents per member per month, from
John P. Souza, Scott Lupo, Dave Hawley,
(February, May, August, October, December) by: union dues. Twenty-five percent (25%) of this
Darrell Pratt, Sam Rosas, Lucio Reyes, Vic
is set aside in the Political Action Committee
Teamsters’ Joint Council No. 7 Shada, Jim Tobin.
from which the Executive Committee makes
250 Executive Park Blvd., Suite 3100 Joint Council of Teamsters 42: President Jim
campaign contributions.
San Francisco, CA 94134; 415-467-2552 Santangelo, Randy Cammack, Chris Griswold,
Periodicals Postage Paid at the San Francisco, CA and at additional mailing offices. Executive Committee Shannon Silva, Ray Whitmer, Lynn Swenson,
Patrick Kelly, Ron Herrera.
POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to: Northern California Teamster Chuck Mack, president of Joint Council No.
Any questions about the California Teamsters
7, is the chairman of the Executive Committee,
250 Executive Park Blvd., Suite 3100
Public Affairs Council may be addressed to the chair­
Jim Santangelo, president of Joint Council No.
San Francisco, CA 94134-3306
man of the Executive Board, California Teamsters
42 is treasurer and, John P. Souza, president
PublicAffairs Council, 112711th St., Ste. 501, Sacra­
of Joint Council No. 38 serves as a member of
Attention When sending in address changes, mento, CA95814. Phone: [phone], FAX: 916-
the Executive Committee, which supervises
Members: please include your Local number. the staff of the Council. 446-9321. E-mail: [email protected].
The Northern California Teamster Page 3
JOINT COUNCIL 7 ORGANIZING
Joint Council organizing campaigns begin to bear fruit
By PILAR BARTON United mechanics seek
Strategic Organizer
new union
Joint Council 7 Organizing is cur­
Seeking bargaining rights and im­
rently involved in seven different cam­
proved working conditions, more than
paigns around the greater Bay Area. In
3,000 United Airlines mechanics are
this article, I’ll focus on just three.
organizing to have Teamster represen­
Overnite/UPS Freight tation and are awaiting an election date
from the National Mediation Board. A
organizing campaign
united effort by both local and IBT or­
Several years ago, the Internation­
ganizers has made possible achieving
al initiated a campaign to organize
the campaign’s goals and benchmarks.
Ovemite Trucking nationwide. At that
Several locals participated in leafleting
time, the company pulled out all of
to support these workers at San Fran­
the stops and ultimately stymied the
cisco Airport; they also called on
union effort. Fast forward five years,
workers at their homes. We look for­
and Ovemite is now UPS Freight, and Joint Council 7 Organizing has gotten cards signed by UPS Freight employees in all three ward to welcoming the United Airlines
UPS has agreed to bargain with the shifts.Here, Local 70’s Bob Aiello (right) and International IBT Organizer Eddie Mustaffa Muham­
mechanics into our Teamster family.
union if a majority of the drivers sign mad (2nd from left) are getting cards signed on the graveyard shift.
Joint Council 7 Organizing contin­
cards saying they want union repre­
ues to work in coordination with sever­
Due to a recent court ruling ques­ Bread Division organizes
sentation.
al locals on numerous ongoing cam­
tioning the validity of the card check
Joint Council 7 Organizing has With our goal of initiating bigger, bet­
paigns in the construction, warehouse,
process, we’re taking no chances.
teamed up with the International’s or­ ter and more successful organizing cam­
and public sector industries. We will re­
We’re developing and training our or­
ganizing department and Local 70 to paigns, Joint Council 7 locals realize this
port on the progress of these campaigns
ganizing committee to prepare their
get cards signed by the drivers at UPS also means we will need a larger pool of
in upcoming issues of the paper.
co-workers for any possible anti­
Freight’s San Leandro facility. This well-trained organizers on staff.
We are also conducting internal or­
union activity. However, we remain
invaluable collaboration has enabled The Northern California Bread Di­
ganizing committee trainings. Our
hopeful that we’ll simply be able to
us to achieve our goals. vision has taken the lead by hiring two
Joint Council 7 Volunteer Organizing
work towards the union contract that
We’ve been working all three new organizers, Stacy Alvelais and
Committee is a group of rank-and-file
the UPS Freight drivers have said that
shifts, and in just four days, we got Frank Harms, both with years of expe­
members that we can assign to cam­
they want.
142 out of 218 drivers to sign on. Al­ rience in the bread industiy. Their
paigns within their own industries.
Our future Teamster members are
though the company added to the classroom training includes research­
With this valuable resource, there is
energized and focused on uniting to
number of employees in the potential ing strategic targets, making first con­
no question that our chances of suc­
bargain for economics issues, health
bargaining unit, we implemented a tact, conducting house calls, and build­
cess on numerous organizing drives
care and employer accountability.
worker-to-worker structure to get the ing a community support campaign.
have been improved.
Knowing that the community is sup­
extra cards we needed, all the while Their on-the-job training includes
In the coming months, we will put
porting their effort to organize as
bringing the workers closer together. assisting on several current campaigns.
even more resources into increasing
Teamsters and bargain their first con­
We anticipate getting certified through Their in-depth knowledge of the industry,
the ranks of Teamster union members,
tract has created excitement and in­
“card check” and expect to begin ne­ enthusiasm and work ethic make them
assuring working families’ voices will
spired hope.
gotiations in February. an asset to the bread industry locals.
be heard over the corporate interests.
UNION PEOPLE
Union rep by day, world series catcher in time off
He may work for the members of Local 490 as a busi­ the championship games for a week,” he says. “We played
ness agent, but Don E. Garcia plays for the Sacramento seven games and won all seven.” Garcia says his team­
Rivercats. The team just won the national 30-and-over mates are all amateur players from the Sacramento area.
World Series title for the Men’s Senior Baseball League; “We play against ex-professionals and it’s always that
Garcia is the team’s catcher. much nicer when we beat them.”
MSBL/MABL members are former semi-pro athletes Garcia’s working career began at Serta Mattress Com­
and serious amateur athletes of various skill levels. “I start­ pany in Vacaville. He became a steward, then a trustee and
ed playing when I was 30,” says Garcia. “I pitched and has been a business agent for five years. He represents all
played shortstop for five years, but when our catcher left, I the garbage companies and some public sector employees.
learned how to catch.” Garcia says that he was first invit­ “This is my first ring, but now I can relax,” Garcia says.
ed to join the Rivercats’ world series team when he was 36. “I love the game. There’s nothing like playing baseball at
“I’m 42 now, and we’ve been to the world series every year this level. Guys who are almost 50 can still play baseball—
since.” it’s amazing to see.”
The MSBL is a national organization with 325 local af­ Garcia adds that he plans on playing until he can’t. “My
filiates, 3,200 teams and 45,000 members who play organ­ dad and son are playing in our local league. My dad is 63
ized amateur baseball in local leagues, 30 regional tourna­ and got his first hits during a father-son series. It’s really
ments and six national tournaments. The World Series fun having three generations playing at the same time.”
takes place every October in Arizona. Garcia figures he has another good 20 years of baseball
“Our basic season is a 24-game season. In October, our ahead of him, “maybe not catching, though,” he says
Don E. Garcia, world series catcher traveling team, a hand selected team, goes to Arizona for thoughtfully.
Page 4 February/March 2008
AROUND
local 890 UPS contract passes despite local concerns
By a 65% margin, members who were on hand to answer questions.
work at UPS voted to accept the Na­ “The members were most con­
tional Master Agreement in Novem­ cerned about part-timers coming in
ber. As of January, all supplements and and not having insurance (even though
riders have been approved as well. this doesn’t apply to the Nor Cal sup­
The five-year contract will raise plement). They worried that even if
wages annually by $l/hour starting on this doesn’t apply to us now—the
August 1, 2008. In addition, UPS will company could try to institute it at a
contribute an additional $5 per hour later point,” explained Rios. “Our
into all pension and health and welfare members recognize that many of the
plans for covered employees. Current pre-loaders come to work at UPS be­
part-time employees in union health cause of the insurance. A good pre­
Local 890 UPS drivers were not thrilled with the proposed UPS contract
and welfare plans will remain in those loader is worth a lot to a driver. It’s
plans. Part-timers will receive the same While the contract was approved hard to find good ones now; imagine
All current part-time employees in general wage increases as full time nationally by a healthy margin, mem­ how it will be if there’s no insurance to
UPS health plans, and CSI employees employees, and new part-time hires bers from most Locals in Northern attract them.”
in a company health plan, will go to will receive a $1 per hour increase California rejected both the National Rios said that the Nor Cal group has
one single plan for health insurance, after 90 calendar days of employment Agreement and the Supplement, for a been militant and strong. “The union
which has a prescription drug card. (up from 50 cents). variety of reasons. recommended the contract because it’s
At Local 890, members from the good, offering more money in wages
Campaign highlights KFC’s unsanitary practices
Salinas and Monterey centers attended and pension. But we are a democratic
a contract ratification meeting on Oc­ organization. People had a right to ex­
tober 27. Business Agent Oscar Rios press their concerns. Ultimately, the
and Local 70 Business Agent and Nor- contract was approved nationwide.”
Cal negotiations chair Marty Frates
Organizing victory in Mendocino County leads
to similar drives in other counties
Last spring, Teamsters Union Local said Local 856 Business Representa­
856 took Mendocino County by storm. tive Joe Martinelli.
Local 890 members Karen Araujo, Juan Martinez and Fritz Conle (above) and Marcial Ramirez This year, it hopes to do the same. Also on the group’s agenda is Peace
and Tony Camposano (not pictured), distributed flyers at two KFC locations in December as part
In March of 2007, the Local con­ Officers Bill of Rights training, which
of a national Teamsters action designed to let the community know about KFC's health and san­
ducted the first strike in Mendocino’s entails educating the probation officers
itation violations.
history, possibly the first strike of dis­ on rights entitled to them as officers of
trict attorneys in California history, and the law.
local 70
won a contract which gave the biggest The Peace Officers Bill of Rights
pay raise in Mendocino history to the was enacted in the 1970s to ensure that
Contract bargaining on for East Bay taxi drivers benefit of 30 public attorneys. peace officers were treated fairly when
Mendocino County Probation Offi­ charges were brought against them.
Since 2002, taxi drivers in Oakland Mohammad Anwar Zadran, an 18-
cers and Juvenile Counselors were “Because of the nature of the job,
have been trying to join Local 70. The year Friendly Cab driver, said he and
paying close attention to this unprece­ peace officers are subject to more per­
National Labor Relations Board had his colleagues cheered the ruling and
dented turn of events, and soon ap­ sonnel complaints than the average
ordered a union election but Friendly look forward to a better working envi­
proached the Local for help in achiev­ public worker,” said Secretary-Trea­
Cab Co. appealed the ruling. ronment. “We now have the voice and
ing justice for themselves, as well. surer Joe Lanthier. “The Peace Officers
Finally, in January, 2008, the Ninth the power with the company to receive
The Probation Officers were in Bill of Rights is there to protect the
U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled better benefits and working condi­
luck. Local 856 has considerable ex­ system from abuse.”
that the drivers are not independent tions,” Zadran said. “This has been a perience in handling probation-relat­ “Probation officers work a very
contractors and must be classified as long time coming.”
ed issues, representing more than 500 difficult, stressful job that can be dan­
employees. This means that the ap­ “Taxi drivers have wanted union
members in the Probation Depart­ gerous,” Martinelli added. “It’s time
proximately 100 drivers are covered representation for a long time,” said
ments of San Mateo, Marin and the County appreciated these unsung
by collective bargaining rules and the Local 70 Business Agent Bob Aiello.
Alameda Counties. heroes.”
company must come to the table. “The companies are now on notice
Mendocino Probation Officers Local 856 is currently in the process
Friendly Cab drivers have formed that they cannot skirt the law by mis-
would like to see higher wages, a bet­ of negotiating on behalf of Marin
the East Bay Drivers Association classifying their employees as inde­
ter medical plan, and enhanced safety County District Attorneys and has been
(EBDA) and, through the EBDA, pendent contractors. We look forward
retirement. contacted by public attorneys in Lake
have sought out the Teamsters to rep­ to getting a good contract for the driv­
“We are very committed to seeing County who are seeking representation
resent them. Teamsters Local 70 in ers at Friendly Cab now that the com­
that this law enforcement group gets as a result of the Local’s victory in
Oakland has worked tirelessly to pany’s been ordered to bargain, and
the respect they deserve as an equal Mendocino County.
have the workers properly classified we‘11 begin organizing other taxi com­
partner in the criminal justice system,” —By Nicole Casey, Local 856
as employees. panies as well.”
News
Executive Board
Chuck Mack ..................Secretary Treasurer
Joe Silva...........................President
Milton Lewis...................Vice President
from Rob Dias..........................Recording Secretary
Larry Aiello.....................Trustee
Tim Mosier ......................Trustee
Felix Martinez.................Trustee
Business Agents
lo c a l 70 Bob Aiello Martin Frates
Dominic Chiovare Lou Marchetti
Lawrence Dias
Luis Magallon.................Conductor
Jim Davis.........................Warden
70 Hegenberger Road, Oakland, CA 94621 February/March 2008 Phone [phone]
local 70 officers are sworn in for
OnMUtixituy
3-year term Bob Aiello
longtime coming for taxi drivers
After more than five years of trying independent contractors and must be
every tactic in the book, the 100 or so classified as employees. This ruling is
taxi drivers at Friendly Cab will be monumental.
starting to negotiate their first union With this decision, the drivers are
contract with Local 70 as their union now covered by collective bargaining
representative. rules, thus requiring the company to
Teamsters Local 70 and the East meet with the Teamsters and begin the
Bay Taxi Drivers of Oakland forged a collective bargaining process.
relationship about five years ago as a Over five years, with many ups and
result of the abuse and exploitation downs, the East Bay taxi drivers never
bestowed on taxi drivers by the lost hope or faith in the Teamsters.
On January 24, 2008, Local 70’s Officers, Business Agents and Trustees were wealthy cab companies operating in They have participated in so many dif­
sworn in at the Local. Most of the officers were elected by "white ballot” in
the City of Oakland. ferent actions, from work stoppages
November, but the election for the three Trustee positions required a mail ballot.
In October of 2002 the taxi drivers and demonstrations that have disrupt­
The term runs from 2008 through 2010.
elected to go union and to be repre­ ed the Oakland Airport, to shutting
(L to R) Business Agent Dominic Chiovare, President Joe Silva, Business Agent
sented by Teamsters Local 70. How­ down Oakland City Hall. They have
Lou Marchetti, Vice President Milton Lewis, Business Agent Bob Aiello, Business
Agent Marty Frates, Business Agent Larry Dias, Trustee Larry Aiello. (Back row: L ever, this battle was just beginning. attended numerous City Council meet­
to R) Recording Secretary Rob Dias, Trustees Tim Mosier and Felix Martinez. (Not The cab companies refused to recog­ ings and have done whatever it takes
pictured is Secretary-Treasurer Chuck Mack.) nize the Teamsters as the bargaining to expose the horrendous conditions
agent, claiming the drivers were inde­ that taxi drivers must endure.
UPS Freight employees sign cards pendent contractors and not employees. To quote Anwar Zadran, President
Two years later, in July 2004, the and Founder of the East Bay Drivers
to loin local 70 National Labor Relations Board ruled Association, “This now gives us a
in favor of the taxi drivers, stating that voice and power with the company to
In 2005, UPS bought Motor Cargo unions to accelerate their organizing they were, in fact, employees. The negotiate a collective bargaining agree­
and Ovemite Transportation; in 2006, drives. companies still refused to bargain and ment that will give us far better work­
they closed the two company’s respec­ Next, the Joint Council initiated its requested an appeal. ing conditions and raise our economics.
tive Newark and Hayward facilities own organizing program, and called in After appealing us to death, in This has been a long time coming.”
and consolidated into UPS Freight— IBT organizers to support the San October, 2007, this case was presented Local 70 will begin working with the
San Leandro. Business Agent/Orga- Leandro campaign. Our team included to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. drivers at other companies to have them
nizer Bob Aiello had been meeting Bob Aiello, Joint Council 7 organizer On January 8th, 2008, a three-judge seek union representation, as well.
with employees at the two companies, Pilar Barton, rank and file members panel ruled that these drivers are not
engaging them about critical labor Jim Davis and Mike Fitzgerald, and
issues and starting to build a relation­ retiree Joe Villareal. Starting on January 15, IBT Orga­ Agreement using the IBT Local 135
ship and support base. With these resources in place, the nizer Eddie Muhammad joined with Indianapolis Agreement as a template.
That work paid off in January, when organizers met with the UPS Freight Aiello and Barton to begin soliciting In the meantime, a majority of
during a six day period, more than 150 employees in San Leandro to create a cards from the San Leandro UPS UPS Freight workers in Louisville and
of the 200-plus employees in San comprehensive organizing plan. Unfor­ Freight employees. They worked Lexington, Kentucky, Milwaukee,
Leandro signed cards to request Local tunately, implementation of the plan around the clock and by January 20, Minneapolis, Southern California,
70 be their union representative. was delayed so that the IBT and UPS they had secured cards from 68% of Seattle, New England, Memphis and
This effort came about as a result of could complete early negotiations on the the 218-employee roster. Detroit have also submitted cards to
several factors. The first was that national and supplemental agreements. The IBT will file the cards with become Teamsters.
Local 135 organized 125 workers at Once the UPS contract was ratified, UPS for verification. When the San Local 70 thanks all of the organizers
the Ovemite facility in Indianapolis the campaign geared up again. The Leandro UPS Freight recognition is and volunteers who worked tirelessly
in August, 2006 and negotiated a ten­ IBT sent organizers to work with approved, the IBT National Negotia­ with the UPS Freight employees, gain­
tative agreement a year later. This locals at several UPS Freight facilities tion Committee for UPS Freight will ing their trust and support. Local 70
development encouraged other local around the country. negotiate the Collective Bargaining looks forward to representing them.
Page B February/March 2008
President’s Report
Members in freight industry review i
tyoe Sitvti
Being prepared to meet new opportunities
tional, Joint Council and Local 70—were able to get
Stewards Council
a large majority of the drivers at UPS Freight in San
The featured speaker at the December 8 Stew­ Leandro to sign cards saying that they wanted to be
ards Council meeting was Sharon Cornu, Executive represented by Local 70. The brief round-the-clock
Secretary of the Alameda County Central Labor drive was a great success, but like all overnight suc­
Council. We have worked closely with Sharon on cesses, it came after months of organizing.
issues affecting Local 70’s members, as well as on In 2006, Motor Cargo (Newark) and Ovemite
campaigns affecting union members from other Transportation (Hayward) were targeted for an organ­
local unions throughout Alameda County. izing campaign. Prior organizing drives had not been
Comu opened with the announcement that the successful, but a new effort brought new energy.
Labor Council will be honoring our brothers and sis­ Business Agent/Organizer Bob Aiello, Joint
ters of Waste Management at its COPE dinner in Council 7 Organizer Pilar Barton, retiree Joe Vil­
April. She congratulated our leadership, but especial­ lareal, and rank and file members Jim Davis and
ly our Waste Management members, for their dedi­ Mike Fitzgerald volunteered their time and energy Members assembled in the auditorium on January 12 to review the
cation and endurance during the lockout. She also to this new campaign. They met with Motor Cargo cil 7 Supplement.
recognized the efforts of the ILWU, the IAM and the and Ovemite workers in both locations and engaged
On Saturday, January 12, members in the freight indus­ thin
Operating Engineers who supported our cause. the workers about critical labor issues—wages,
try assembled in the Local 70 auditorium to review the carr
Getting down to the heart of her presentation, hours and conditions. They built solid relationships,
proposed Master Freight Agreement and the Joint Council pad
Comu identified the difficulties and opportunities developing a strong support base. Over many
supplement. Members came from Yellow Freight, Road­ P
that confront unions and our members. The litany of months, Aiello maintained these relationships by
way, ABF and a number of smaller companies. recc
problems include stagnant wages, loss of jobs, updating the workers regularly. The process moved
Secretary-Treasurer Chuck Mack reviewed both the Frei
health care costs that exceed twice the minimum forward slowly but steadily.
revised National Master Freight Agreement and the Joint Hov
wage, elimination of defined benefit pensions and Over the course of the year, other developments
Council 7 Supplement. He explained that the changes 7 Si
the proliferation of 401k programs. On top of that, brought new members and accelerated the process.
and additional flexibility reflect the significant difficul­ quej
the money spent on the war causes a loss of rev­ First, UPS purchased Ovemite. Then, Teamsters
ties that the freight industry is facing, adding that this unw
enues that would have been earmarked for building Local 135 organized Ovemite’s 125 workers in
was the most challenging freight contract in his more of b
roads, hospitals and schools. Indianapolis and negotiated a contract in Septem­
than 30 years of experience in freight negotiations. A
However, there are opportunities as well: the ber, 2007.
“Three stages have brought the freight industry to this Join
Employee Free Choice Act has gained support and In Local 70’s jurisdiction, UPS Freight closed
point,” he explained. “One, for years the industry was P
health care proposals may finally provide benefits Motor Cargo (Newark and Benicia) and Ovemite,
fully regulated and rates were set for all competitors. The frei|
to the underinsured and uninsured. Hayward, consolidated these facilities into UPS
second stage came in 1980 and 1981, when deregulation Mer
In order to make those opportunities a reality, Freight, San Leandro, and immediately accelerated
forced fierce competition between union and non-union calh
stewards need to be prepared to “mobilize, mobi­ hiring in an effort to both discourage and derail our
carriers and consolidation was the name of the game. The
lize, mobilize,” Comu suggested. “We need to be organizing efforts. Instead, this tactic focused our
on the ground with ‘street heat’ to achieve our efforts and redoubled our commitment to the UPS
goals.” Freight workers. We broadened committees, com­ ■ r political /ictii
mitted additional staff and developed a comprehen­
Heviewing the freight agreement Lou Man
sive strategic organizing plan.
Members from Yellow Freight, Roadway, ABF However, we put the process on hold when the
and a small number of companies who are also sig­ Teamsters and UPS agreed to commence early nego­ Democratic candidates are far del
natory to the Master Freight Agreement met on Jan­ tiations for the National Master UPS Agreement and
Bush and the Republii
uary 12 to learn about the revised national agree­ the subsequent ratification process. Despite the
ment and the Joint Council Supplement. delay, in January 2008, IBT General Secretary Trea­ Although the International Executive Board has he 1
Secretary-Treasurer Chuck Mack discussed the surer C. Thomas Keegel and IBT Vice President not endorsed a candidate, it will obviously back who­ corf
difficulties in the industry, ranging from capital Ken Hall authorized the restart of organizing UPS ever gets the Democratic nomination. When they that
problems to consolidation and intense competition Freight under the direction of the IBT. interviewed Edwards, Clinton and Obama, all three Is
from the non-union sector. On January 14, Local 70 was authorized to committed to sign into law the Employee Free Choice hole
After answering questions from our members, accelerate the UPS Freight campaign in San Lean­ Act. This is the most important piece of labor legisla­ papi
Mack recommended a “Yes” vote on the National dro. The IBT sent Organizer Eddie Mustaffa tion in decades. Any of the three will be a great Con
Master Freight Agreement, despite the new utility Muhammad to work with Barton and Aiello. The improvement over the Bush Administration and any Tra<
positions. However, he recommended a “No” vote next day, this team started to solicit cards from the of the three are head-and-shoulders above any of the you
on the Joint Council 7 Supplemental due to many San Leandro UPS Freight employees. The days and Republican candidates. alw;
unanswered questions and the lack of full mainte­ nights were long, sometimes 16 to 18 hours per day. While I understand the position the International on s
nance of benefits for Locals 85 and 287. Mack cau­ They completed the process on January 20 when Executive Board has taken, I believe that former Sena­ \
tioned our members that a rejection of the Joint 68% of the employees signed their union cards. tor John Edwards should have received our endorse­ to tl
Council 7 Supplement may cause a strike in Joint The campaign has now shifted to the IBT, who will ment. His commitment to restoring the working middle bad
Council 7. Ballots will be counted in mid-February. oversee the card verification process and begin nego­ class in America is the centerpiece of his campaign. On \
Stay tuned. tiations for the Collective Bargaining Agreement. all of the issues, whether it is health care reform, taxa­ D.R
While the process is not yet finished, I again want tion, the war in Iraq or the economy, his first concern is be s
UPS Freight organizing blitz
to thank Joe Villareal, Jim Davis, Mike Fitzgerald, how it affects working families. He is so pro-labor that C
For six days in January, a collaboration of Team­ Milton Lewis, Eddie Muhammad, Pilar Barton and
ster organizers and volunteers—from the Interna­ Bob Aiello for their hard work on this campaign.
LOCAL 70 NEWS Page C
Secretary-Treasurer's Report
eview national and local agreements
Stalling the year witti union victories
UPS Freight workers say Union Yes! loin us—Say No to cross homer trucking
Drivers and dock workers at UPS Freight in San Speaking of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals,
Leandro have overwhelmingly opted for Teamster they’re going to hear our lawsuit opposing the
representation. More than 150 of the 200-plus per­ Bush Administration’s Mexico Cross Border
son workforce signed pledge cards during an Trucking Program on Tuesday, February 12, 2008
organizing “blitz” in mid January. in San Francisco.
Local 70, along with Locals in Boston, Detroit, We have joined with the IBT, Sierra Club, Pub­
Memphis and Southern California, are the first lic Citizen and even the Owner Operators and Inde­
wave of UPS Freight organizing. pendent Drivers Association to bring this action
A special thanks to Local 70 Business Agent and put an end to an outrageously unsafe and unfair
Bob Aiello, who has been meeting with the UPS program.
Freight workers for the past six months. He laid the If at all possible, please join us on the morning
foundation. of February 12 from 8:00-9:00 a.m. at the Federal
o review the National Master Freight Agreements and the Joint Coun-
The cards were collected over a four day period Courthouse, 95 7th Street in San Francisco. We’ll
of around-the-clock action in a truly collaborative rally to send a message to the Court and the public
effort. Working with Aiello was Joint Council 7 - stop this Bush scheme to benefit big business at
idus- third and current stage is consolidation and unification of
Organizer Pilar Barton and Eddie Mustafa Muham­ the public’s expense.
v the carriers who provide a full logistics system, including
mad from the International Union.
until package, air, and freight components,” Mack explained,
toad- After answering questions from our members, Mack And it couldn’t have been done without rank Contract unUate
and file members. Thanks to retiree Joe Villareal,
recommended they vote “Yes” on the National Master
Local 70 Conductor Jim Davis, Rich Evans, The National Master Freight ballots will be
h the Freight Agreement despite the new utility positions.
Quiona Anderson from UPS, Vice President Milton counted in mid-February. Members will vote on
Joint However, he recommended they reject the Joint Council
Lewis and Mike Fitzgerald from Yellow Freight. both the National and Supplement Agreements. If
mges 7 Supplemental Agreement, pointing out the unanswered
We hope to have a contract in place by March. accepted, we move on; if rejected, it’s back to the
Picul- questions that surround “four-hour casuals” and the
table.
t this unwillingness of the parties to provide full maintenance
more of benefits for Locals 85 and 287. Court rules taxi Uriversc an orgDanHiLz enegotiations will resume shortly and prob­
Mack cautioned our members that a rejection of the ably will occupy a good part of this month. Sup­
3 this Joint Council 7 Supplement may lead to a strike, For several years now the Local has been work­ plemental talks will be the focus early on, with
was At presstime, ballots have gone out to members in the ing with taxi drivers at the Oakland Airport. The economics to follow.
.The freight industry and will be counted in mid-February, goal—giving them the right to organize and then
ation Members will be informed of the final tally, and will be bargain collectively. Short notes...
mion called together to plan the next steps. What had been a real struggle became a real vic­
.The tory in early January when the Ninth U.S. Circuit The property search continues. Joe Silva has
Court of Appeals ruled that the drivers are not inde­ been working almost full time to find a location. It
pendent contractors and must be reclassified as hasn’t been an easy or pleasant task but we’ve
l Action IRefe&it employees. The decision means that more than 100 made some progress. Not only will we keep mem­
>u Marchetti drivers are covered by collective bargaining rules. bers informed, we’ll give you the opportunity to
Bob Aiello, who represents this group too, has approve the deal when it’s completed.
already sent a letter demanding negotiations.
e far bener for working people than
The struggle here is not over but we’re commit­
ted to achieving economic justice by improving the
Republican candidates
wages and benefits of these workers.
1 has he has refused contributions from Wall St. and their
who- corporate interests. Unfortunately, in today’s politics, 2008 lames R. Hoffa Scholarship Fund
they that is why he is running third in the primaries,
three Now, more than ever, it’s time for organized labor to The James R. Hoffa Scholarship Fund will award 100 scholar­
hoice hold politicians accountable. In the last edition of the ships for the 2008 program year. These will include thirty-one
gisla- paper, I published the names and phone numbers of five $10,000 grants and sixty-nine $1,000 grants. Eligibility require­
great Congressmen who voted against us on the Peru Free ments and application procedures are the same for all awards. Appli­
j any Trade Agreement. Hopefully you called them to express
cants compete in one of the five geographic regions where the
)f the your displeasure. These are politicians that we have
Teamster parent’s local union is located.
always supported and rightly expect their support back
Recipients will be selected by an impartial committee of universi­
tional on such a core labor issue.
ty admissions and financial aid directors based on academic achieve­
Sena- With three elections this year we have to put the fire
ment, SAT/ACT scores, character, potential and financial need. The
lorse- to the politicians’ feet. We can’t afford these stabs in the
liddle back. committee considers all applicants without regard to race, religion,
n. On We need to be registered to vote, participating in the gender, disability, or any other legally protected status.
taxa- D.R.I.V.E. program and be willing to spend the time to To get the application and info about the requirements, contact
JAMES R. I fOFTA
em is be successful in the political process. Local 70 or go to: www.teamster.org/resources/students/ schol-
>r that Our jobs and quality of life depend on it. ••i! % • • ■ ; .n arship/scholarship.htm
Applications must be submitted to Local 70 by March 30,2008.
Page D LOCAL 70 NEWS February/March 2008
Local Union 70, City of Oakland, CA
Teamsters Local 70
International Brotherhood of Teamsters
TRUSTEES REPORT
2008 MEETING SCHEDULE
DECEMBER 2007
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS INCOME
Membership Dues $217,783.94 Contributions 2,375.00
February 28 .........................................................4th Thursday 7:00 p.m. Initiation and Re-initiation Fees 18,715.18 Benefits Paid 47,350.47
March 8 ..................................................................Saturday 10:00 a.m.** Withdrawals and Transfers 5.00 Funds for transmittal 11.05
Assessments & Fines 1,015.00 Refunds-Dues 396.32
April 24..................................................................4th Thursday 7:00 p.m.
Non-member fees 4,441.97 Refunds-Ini & Reini 150.00
May 22 ..................................................................4th Thursday 7:00 p.m. Funds for transmittal for members 691.05 Office and Administrative 26,247.51
June 14....................................................................Saturday 10:00 a.m.** Other Receipts (Schedule A) 25,646.68 Legal Fees 4,056.76
Mandatory Drug Test 99.80 Other Professional Fees 12,300.00
July-August...........................................Meetings suspended for Summer
Total Income $268,398.62 Taxes 8,423.43
September 13 ...........................................................Saturday 10:00 a.m.** EXPENSES Meeting and committee expenses 1,473.67
October 23..............................................................4th Thursday 7:00 p.m. Salaries $99,468.59 Auto expenses 4,042.43
November 18..................................................................Tuesday 7:00 p.m. Expense allowances 7,025.00 °ut of town travel exPenses 902J0
Per capita tax 60,243.20 Other expenses (Schedule B) 7,260.65
December 13 ...........................................................Saturday 10:00 a.m.**
- **Membership Meetings follow immediately after the Saturday Steward Total expense $281,726.78
Council Meetings. Net income ($13,328.16)
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES
STEWARD COUNCIL MEETINGS
As of December 31, 2007
| March 8 .........................................................................Saturday 8:00 a.m.
Assets Dec. 31, 07 Nov. 30,07 $ Change
■ June 14 ......................................................................Saturday 8:00 a.m.
General Fund-Checking Acct. 17,239.35 (193,943.00) 211,182.35
_ September 13................................................................Saturday 8:00 a.m. Petty Cash 850.00 850.00 0.00
General Fund-Savings Acct. 14,471.11 14,421.67 49.44
December 13................................................................Saturday 8:00 a.m.
General Fund-CD 5,226,876.53 5,503,544.85 (276,668.32)
Cash in Special Funds 33,488.00 33,407.37 80.63
Land 0.00 0.00 0.00
SICK BENEFIT MEETINGS Buildings 250,000.00 0.00 250,000.00
Office Fumiture/Equipment 24,873.04 22,452.96 2,420.08
2nd Tuesday of the Month
Other Assets 0.00 200,000.00 (200,000.00)
Call for more information: 800-243-1350 or 510-569-9317 Total Assets $5,567,798.03 $5,580,733.85 ($12,935.82)
Liabilities & Equity
Credit Cards/B of A 0.00 0.00 0.00
• Unless notified otherwise, all meetings are held at Teamsters Local 70.
Payroll Liability (156.28) (548.62) 392.34
Long Term Liabilities: Obligations 0.00 0.00 0.00
Total Liabilities ($156.28) ($548.62) $392.34
Equity
Opening Balance Equity 5,735,968.53 5,735,968.53 0.00
Net Income (168,014.22) (154,686.06) (13,328.16)
Total Equity $5,567,954.31 $5,581,282.47 ($13,328.16)
For updates between newspapers, go to the Local Total Liabilities & Equity $5,567,798.03 $5,580,733.85 ($12,935.82)
70 Website: www.teamsterslocal70.org
SCHEDULES
Schedule A—Other Receipts Schedule B—Other Expenses
What’s new?
Sale of Supplies 260.00 Sick Benefit Payments 5,000.00
Membership Application Fee 25.00 Building Maintenance 440.56
Visit the site frequently for current announcements as Interest-General Fund checking 9.57 Bank Error (144.00)
new information is posted on a regular basis. Interest-Citizens Funds 49.44 Pest Control Services 120.00
Interest-Washington Mutual Savings 0.80 Janitorial Supplies 9.70
Interest-McM Funds 23,331.68 Gardening Service 325.00
Interest-ULB Sick Benefit Fund 79.83 Northern Calif. TeamsterN ews 1,000.00
Reimbursements/Other Receipts 350.36 Bonus/Christmas, Etc. 509.39
Insurance (Benevolent) 1,180.00 Total Other Expenses $7,260.65
! ‘In ‘Memoria | Joint Council 7 Reim for Secty 360.00
Total Income $25,646.68
! Local 70 Obituaries S
j -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I
] ABBEY, Howard, Jr., November, 2007 J
| ANDRADA, Lawrence, December 12 j
For Local 70 members who are sick or hurt.
| CESAR, Ronald E., October, 2007 1
j I
DURKIN, Kevin, December 6 We want to hear from you—you may have benefits coming.
3 GLAESER, Robert, November 19 |
SICK BENEFIT FUND
| HEMPY, Fritz H., November, 2007 j
| PITTS, Thomas, November, 2007 | Monthly Meetings—2nd Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
1________________________________________________I
1-800-243-1350 or 510-569-9317
To be eligible for Sick Benefits, claims must be filed at Local 70’s office with­
Did you moveP Tell us your new address! I
in thirty (30) days of disability. Also, dues for the previous month must have
Don’t miss out on important information distributed to members by been paid on time.
mail—give Local 70 your new address and telephone number. We offer Sick Benefit Fund Bylaws, Section 4: A member depositing an Honorable With­
drawal Card or Transfer Card, or who is reinstated, shall not be eligible for any dis­
three easy ways to update your address:
ability benefits due to injury sustained or illness suffered within a six (6) month
A By Phone: Call Local 70 at 800-243-1350 or 510-569-9317
period after said Card is deposited, or after said reinstatement; that is, there will be
A By Internet: Submit form online at www.teamsterslocal70.org no liability for payment of benefits for any disability having its inception during the
A By Mail: Send in a completed Status Change Form (obtain from six (6) month period. All claims must be filed within thirty (30) days after the date
your Shop Steward) to: PO Box 2270, Oakland, CA 94621-0170. of eligibility. All claims must be filed previous to transferring from Local No. 70.
The Northern California Teamster Page 5
TH E LOCALS
local 896 History made as first woman is elected Coca Cola Chief Shop Steward
Local 896 members who work at Lobao says that she really enjoyed
the Coca Cola plant in San Leandro being a shop steward. “I love doing
have elected their first female Chief what I’m doing and the employees
Shop Steward since the company was have a lot of respect for me.” She said
unionized 43 years ago. that many members encouraged her to
“That’s history right there. I said run for the Chief position. “My mem­
2008 will be the woman year: Hillary bers come first, so I ran for my people
Clinton will be the president and I’m and I’m proud to say that I won by a
chief shop steward!” says Deborah longshot.” Four members were run­
Lobao with pride. ning for the position.
Lobao works second shift as a bot­ The election takes place over a 24-
tler. “I drive a forklift.” A union mem­ hour period, and results were an­
ber for about 20 years, she’s worked at nounced on January 10. Five days
Coca Cola for the last five. She first be­ later, Lobao was at her first Labor- Coca Cola Chief Shop Steward Deborah Lobao sits proudly on her Harley
came a shop steward in 2005 and was Management meeting that lasted for
elected in January to serve as Chief more than three hours. Local 278
Shop Steward for calendar year 2008. “My job is to make sure the compa­
The 138-member plant has three ny does not violate the contract. They
Blanche! testifies before Congress about
shop stewards, one for each shift. “The worry that I beat them up with griev­
shop stewards only take care of their ances, but I tell them if the supervisors on-going port safety and security problems
own shifts,” Lobao explains. “The would just do right, I wouldn’t have to
On October 30, Local 287 Presi­ cial Drivers’ Licenses. Homeland Se­
Chief Shop Steward takes care of the file grievances.”
dent and Teamster Port Representative curity set up the Transportation Work­
whole plant. They go to more meetings The five-year contract doesn’t expire
Bob Blanchet testified before the er Identification Credential program,
and have a lot more responsibilities. until 2009, but Coca Cola and the mem­
House Committee on Homeland Se­ but it hasn’t yet been implemented in
The Chief appoints the shop stewards: bers can be sure that Lobao will make
curity’s Subcommittee on Border, all ports. Drivers have already devised
I can hire them and I can fire them, if I sure that the contract is fully enforced in
Maritime and Global Terrorism. The work-arounds, finding ways to trans­
don’t feel their doing their duties.” her year as Chief Shop Steward.
issue was whether our ports are more fer containers to non-certified drivers.
Local 853 secure one year after passage of the “The ports look the other way be­
SAFE Port Act. cause moving containers trumps secu­
locals 78 and 853 merge to create largest According to Blanchet, while some rity,” Blanchet testified.
improvements have been made, secu­ Blanchet closed by reiterating that
Local in Northern California rity is severely lacking in several “security at the ports has improved
areas. He was particularly concerned somewhat as a result of enactment of
that port drivers are issued one-day the SAFE Port Act. But much more
passes, circumventing the need for needs to be done to address the huge
permanent credentialing and that they gaps that still exist.”
have easy access to forged Commer­
Members at VSS play Santa to families in Dixon
Local 78 members vote to merge into Local 853
Members of Teamsters Local 78 Merging would increase the Local’s
voted by an overwhelming 95.5% size and assets, putting the union on a
margin to approve the merger of their more equal footing with these corpo­
Local into Local 853 on January 5. rations.
The merger has since been approved Before the vote was taken, Local 78
by the Executive Boards of both Lo­ Secretary-Treasurer Steve Mack and
cals and by the Joint Council and In­ Local 853 Secretary-Treasurer Rome
ternational Union. It will take effect Aloise reviewed the benefits of the
Members of Local 490 who work at Vacaville Sanitary Service wanted to have a hol­
on February 1, 2008. merger for the members of both Lo­
iday celebration that captured the spirit of the season. They contacted Dixon Family
The merger came about because the cals and answered questions.
Services and were put in touch with two families who were in need of extra help. Em­
Local is being forced to deal with in­ As a result of the merger, Local 853 ployees took donations amongst themselves and then paid surprise visits to the fam­
creasing numbers of national and will have about 12,000 members. ilies. In a procession of trucks, the drivers visited one Dixon family with Santa and his
multi-national corporations. Local Aloise remains Secretary-Treasurer many helpers. Office employees paid a surprise visit to another family. “This was en­
78’s leadership determined that as cor­ and Principal Officer of Local 853; tirely our employees’ idea, and they put the event together,” said VSS General Man­
porations consolidate, so must unions, Mack became the Local’s President. ager Ed Farewell. “Our employees are always finding ways to give back, but this ef­
fort was truly touching for us all. ”
to more effectively deal with them.
Page 6 February/March 2008
TEAMSTERS JOINT COUNCIL 7
Your Local Union Phone Numbers
70 ......... 510-569-9317 624 ......... 707-542-1292
Executive Board Delegates' Meetings:
85 ...........415-344-0085 665 ......... 650-991-2102
Chuck Mack—President The regular delegates’ meet­
Steve Mack—Vice President ings are held the first Tuesday 278 ......... 415-467-0450 853 ......... 510-895-8853
Robert Morales— in February, April, June, Au­
Secretary-Treasurer gust, October and December. 287 ......... 408-453-0287 856.............650-635-0111
Rome Aloise—
Recording Secretary Please aow: The Bulletin Board is in­ 315 ......... 925-228-2246 890 ......... 831-424-5743
Ernie Yates — Trustee cluded in the paper only once each year,
350 ......... 650-757-7290 896 ......... 707-644-8896
Carlos Borba — Trustee in the Feb/March issue. We print address
Franklin Gallegos — Trustee and meeting changes on an ongoing basis.
490 ......... 707-643-0387 912 ......... 831-724-0683
Q n M e m o n a m Joint Council 7 officers extend condolences to the family and friends
of the following Teamster members who died recently
Local 70 Local 85 Local 315 Local 890
ABBEY, Howard, Jr. ARIETTA, Peter A. AGOSTINO, Charles BANDA, Victor C.
ANDRADA, Lawrence BOYD, Ronald BROWN, Lee Roy CORONA, Clementina
BEARDSLEY, Russell ORTIZ, Ramon CORREIA, Merlin COX, Dale
CESAR, Ronald E. RODRIGUEZ, Peter 1., former officer ESPINSOSA, Frank ESPINO, Santos
DURKIN, Kevin RAMON, John LAWRENCE, Bob HERNANDEZ, Leon
GLAESER, Robert ROSSI, John MCGRILL, Bill MACIEL, Ruben Z.
HEMPY, Fritz H. SOLA, Gus, former officer MCKINNEY, Ray PENA, Jaime
PITTS, Thomas MULENBURG, Ray SALGADO, Ramiro
Local 216
RAMSEY, Louis SEPULVEDO, Bernard
Local 78 LEONARD, Donald
ROYBAL, Larry VILLA, James P.
VALENCIA, Ernesto P,
Local 278
RUBIO, Michael ZEPEDA, Brijida
SELLECK, Richard
DUCOUSSO, Paul Andrew
THOMAS, Simuel Local 896
NEWLAND, Grant
Local 350 FARR, Russell
Local 291
COLLINS, Timothy, Local 9 n
VELNER, Carl
MARTIN, Enc STEPHENS, Paul
ERICK, Richard
RETIREE CIUBS
local 85 Retiree Club “Hitchin’ Post" local 921 Retiree Club North Coast Teamster Retiree Club
Weekly meetings/home-cooked luncheon - every Monthly luncheon—second Tuesday, 12 Noon at the MeetingsAuncheons held third Friday of the month at
Thursday, 12 Noon Pinch Hit, 6251 Third Street, San Francisco Labor Center, 1710 Corby Avenue, Santa Rosa, 12 Noon
Pacific Rod and Gun Club, 520 John Muir Drive, San Vic Sangervasi, Chairman Warren Sallady, President
Francisco
Central Coast Retiree Club Sacramentu Teamsters Retiree
local 278 Retiree Club Last Thursday of the month at Local 890, 207 North Association
2008 luncheon schedule: Sanborn Road, Salinas. Meets last Wednesday of each month, 1 p.m. at Local
March 11, June 10, September 9 and December 10, 12 Don Smith, President 150’s Hall, 7120 East Parkway, Sacramento, upstairs.
Noon, at Elk’s Club, 920 Stonegate (off Hillside Blvd.),
Eddie Bedrosian, President
South San Francisco. last Bay Teamster Retirees
August 22 - picnic at Coyote Point, San Mateo, 12 Monthly meeting third Saturday of the month, 11 a.m. Teamsters Retiree Club of Santa Clara
Noon at Local 70 Hall, 70 Hegenberger Road, Oakland.
County
John Casaccia, President Wine raffle held prior to lunch. Member dues $26 year­
Monthly meetings are third Thursday, 10:30 a.m. at
ly. Spouses included and welcome. Colombo Club
Local 287, 1452 No. 4th Street, San Jose.
Local 315 Retiree Club luncheon will be held April 12, 2008. 11 a.m. cocktails,
Ray Corrie, President
Third Thursday of every month, 10 a.m. at Local 315’s 12 Noon lunch. Donation $34; retirees half price.
Hall, 2727 Alhambra Avenue, Martinez Tickets sold at the door.
Wine and Spirits Retiree Club
Carolyn Robinson, President Ernie Freitas, President
A letter will be sent out to members with meeting info.
Local 490 Retiree Club ATTENTION All Retired Safeway Art Royce, President
Second Thursday of every month, 10 a.m. at Local Drivers & Mechanics
Teamsters Retiree Association of Local
490’s Hall, 445 Nebraska Street, Vallejo
Annual Reunion • August 9, 2008
137, Eureka
John Donahue, President
Napa Elks Lodge Meeting every second Monday, 2 p.m. at Laborer’s
Hall, 840 “E” Street, Eureka.
To make reservations, please call: Angelo Spera @
John Stewart, President
707-942-5266 or Bob Whitley @ 707-987-0885