Local 856

Teamsters rally for public safety jobs
Local 856 members rally on August 26 to save public safety jobs.

The combination of proposed layoffs of dozens of Alameda County probation officers and the governor’s plan to give early release to thousands of prisoners led Local 856 members to take to the streets on August 26. The noontime rally, outside the Alameda County Administrative Building in Oakland, brought out probation officers and community members to protest the planned cut of 20-35 probation officers.

“The local is still in negotiations with the County Supervisors,” explained Local 856 Business Agent Joe Martinelli. “We understand that the county is in a bind, and that’s why we’re working to come up with solutions. We’ve proposed about one million dollars in givebacks through furlough days. The supervisors won’t address the issue.”

Laying off dozens of probation officers will result in the unsupervised placement of more than 2,500 adult criminals in Alameda County’s communities, and for the first time, juvenile offenders will be released unsupervised. Currently, 14,000 adults on probation have their cases “banked.” This means that their file is put in a drawer and they get no probation services. No juvenile cases are banked, but if the layoffs go through, the union estimates that more than 500 juveniles will have no support or supervision.

“You’re just asking for more crime with less people to do something about it,” explained Ray Mizyed, a 12-year probation officer in San Francisco and Oakland. “The supervising deputies used to have 70-80 cases each. Now they’ll have 150 cases. That means they won’t be able to go into the field. That adds a lot of stress, and the whole community will suffer.”

Probation officers are looked at as mentors and teachers, explained former probationer Serena Veo, who’s currently in school to become a medical assistant. “I was on probation after finding my way to too much trouble as a kid,” she explained. “I don’t know where I’d be without my probation officer. Now I’m successful; I have a job and I’m in school for a career. Public safety is one thing; being able to turn a person’s life around is another. That’s what the probation officers do.”

Local 665

Local 665 pickets “shadow” parking companies

Local 665 pickets “shadow” parking companies

Members of Local 665 have begun picketing at a notorious parking operation in downtown San Francisco, hoping to stem the loss of jobs that is plaguing the industry.

“This operator broke the contract in June, laid-off members, and set up a dummy corporation to avoid paying area standards,” explained Local 665 President Mark Gleason. “We intend to show that this sort of behavior is unacceptable in San Francisco.”

The picketline is set up during the morning commute, Monday thru Friday, at the location known as 900 Folsom, which is at the cross street of 5th and Folsom in the South of Market area.

Gleason says the response from commuter traffic has been good. “Many people who arrive are union members. They give us the thumbs up, and park somewhere else,” Gleason said. “We are grateful for their support.”

Local 315

Local 315 shop stewards attended the private sector training on September 19.
Local 315 shop stewards attended the private sector training on September 19.

Training stewards is essential to building
union’s strength

Local 315 is holding a series of three stewards’ training and grievance handling workshops.

The first, held on Saturday, September 19, was designed for members who work in the private sector in various industries. The second workshop, held on September 26, was designed for our public sector members who work for cities, water districts and other public municipalities. Attorney Sheila Sexton from the Beeson law office conducted both of these training sessions.

The third workshop, to be held in October, has been scheduled for approximately 1,800 UPS members and will be conducted by Attorney Ken Absalom from the Nevin and Absalom Law firm.

“Good, experienced, well-trained stewards, and an informed membership are essential to the growth and strength of the local union,” Secretary- Treasurer Dale Robbins explained as he opened the first session.

Also attending the training event was Joint Council 7 President Rome Aloise, who received a cheerful welcome and spoke on a variety of issues facing our union today. Aloise told the stewards how much he appreciated the important, and sometimes thankless, job they all carry out at their workplace. He also commended them for their continued commitment and dedication to the union.