Local 896

Good five-year contract at A-B/InBev

By a 95% majority, the employees at Anheuser-Bush/InBev across the country ratified a new five-year contract that’s the best in 20 years, reported Local 896 Secretary-Treasurer Rene Medrano.

"This long-time American company was bought out by the Belgian brewery InBev earlier in 2008, which meant that we didn’t know what to expect when we got to the table," Medrano said. "We took five chief shop stewards from Fairfield and three from Los Angeles to Cincinnati for a week of talks about local issues and they played a very important role. In the end, we got a good letter from the company that underscored the right for stewards to vigorously enforce the contract."

As for dollars and cents, wages will increase by 90 cents in year one, 80 cents in year two, and 75 cents in each of the final three years. Members also retained the cadillac health plan that they currently enjoy, retiree health and welfare and a pension increase. Health and welfare will be paid from day one, instead of having a three-month waiting period, and everybody got a $1,000 signing bonus.

"When asked what we had to give up to get this deal, the only thing I could think of was that the new CEO is into making beer and not running theme parks, so we lost our Sea World tickets," Medrano explained. "Our members will have to pay to see Shamu from now on."

While Medrano couldn’t be more positive about this contract, he warns members to be aware that when the next contract comes due in five years, the union will most likely be dealing directly with InBev in Belgium. "The International is working to create an alliance with union leaders around the world, because both Anheuser-Busch and Miller were acquired by foreign companies."

Medrano wanted to especially thank the stewards from Fairfield for their participation in the talks: Chris Barngraph, Bob Litke, Johnnie Johnson, Fred Gutierrez and Kevin Koehler as well as Business Agent Dan Valencia.

Local 856

Unique open house for Teamsters at United

 

On Sunday, October 12, 2008, Local 856, Local 986 and United Airlines co-hosted an open house at the company’s SFO Maintenance Base.

Approximately 10,000 employees—union members and families—strolled through the maintenance hangers to view numerous exhibits.

In addition to the two Teamster tractor/trailers on display. Officer Gus Vasquez, a Teamster member from the Broadmoor Police Department, brought the Department's 1949 Chevy patrol car to the event. Another 100 or so other classic cars and trucks were also on display.

A special event highlight was that U.S. Navy Blue Angels had parked their jets at the Maintenance Base for everyone to inspect prior to taking off for the air show over San Francisco.

Everyone was entertained by Funnybones the Clown and the children had the opportunity to have their faces painted by an artist.

There were many smaller airplanes, as well as a jet pull contest. Food vendors offered a delicious variety of taste treats.

"The day was a huge success enjoyed by all," said Secretary-Treasurer Joe Lanthier. "We hope this will become an annual event for our Teamster members."

Local 287

Teamsters win major legal victory against Granite Rock

NLRB and court litigation involving Local 287 and Granite Rock that has been going on since 2004 came to a very satisfying conclusion on October 22, with a resounding win for the Local Union. A federal court of appeals reversed a jury verdict against Local 287 handed down in May, 2007, and directed that the case be heard and decided in arbitration, rather than by a jury.

"Unions are better off in arbitration than in court," said Local 287 Secretary- Treasurer Bill Hoyt, who was pleased with the court decision. "Professional labor arbitrators have a much better understanding of labor relations than juries. We expect to win in arbitration."

The back story

Back in 2004, Local 287 members who worked at Granite Rock in San Jose, went on strike for a new contract. In early July, 2004, after several weeks of striking, the parties reached a tentative agreement after an all-night bargaining session. At the end of the session, George Netto, Local 287’s business agent, became aware of disciplinary and other issues that arose during the strike. He explained to the membership, at a meeting later the same morning, that before the tentative new agreement could be ratified, there would have to be an acceptable "back-to-work" agreement protecting the job rights of Local 287 and the rights of sister Teamster Locals. Accordingly, the Local did not hold a ratification vote at that time.

In the jury trial, the 20 members who attended the meeting testified that there was no ratification vote taken. One member, who had abandoned the strike and had taken a job at another Granite Rock location, and had crossed the picket line daily, testified that the tentative new agreement had actually been ratified. Since the new contract had a no-strike clause, the employer argued that the continuation of the strike violated the new agreement.

Separate trials were held before the NLRB and in federal court. The NLRB agreed with the union that the new contract had not been ratified at the July meeting. The jury, on the other hand, believed the scab’s testimony and found a violation of the nostrike clause.

Bruce Woolpert, owner and CEO of Granite Rock, claimed that the employer lost millions of dollars as a result of the strike. He used his jury "victory" as leverage in an ongoing campaign to defeat union representation in other Granite Rock facilities, including those represented by Locals 853, 890 and 912.

Local 287 had insisted all along that the dispute with Granite Rock should not be decided by a jury, but in arbitration. The appellate court has now agreed. Meantime, Granite Rock has asked for reconsideration in the appellate court.

Hoyt says that his attorneys have told him that such requests are very rarely granted, and they anticipate Granite Rock will be turned down. The law firm representing Local 287 is Beeson, Tayer & Bodine.

Our work is not done

Membership participation in this year’s election was outstanding. Congratulations to Marvin Jones for his efforts to register voters. Because Marvin signed up the highest number of new voters in Joint Council 7, he will take home the first place prize of $1,000. Great job! Thanks goes out to all who gave up their nights and weekends to phone bank and precinct walk.

Even with numerous electoral victories under our belt, political action never ends. Just days after this historical election mandating change, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger wants to stimulate the economy on the backs of working families. He is again proposing to cut workers’ overtime pay and take away meal periods. We are asking all members to contact your legislative leaders ASAP and tell them that working families cannot afford any more take-aways and the Governor’s proposals are not the changes that we are looking for.

Note: Local 287 December Stewards meeting is cancelled.