Around the Locals
December 2010 - January 2011
Newsletter Volume 55, Number 5
Local 150
Coca-Cola Bottlers Join Teamsters
A week before the case was set to go before an administrative law judge from the National Labor Relations Board, the Sacramento Coca-Cola Bottling Company agreed to recognize their workers as members of Teamsters Local 150.
The 310 workers have been members of a small, independent union for more than 40 years. But when they decided to merge with the larger Teamsters Local 150 back in April, the management at the factory refused to recognize their newly-affiliated union as a bargaining representative.
But that changed as the NLRB suit drew near. According to the settlement, the Coca-Cola Bottling Company must bargain in good faith with the Teamsters, process union grievances, and pay the union dues for which the employees had authorized payroll deduction. In other words, it’s got to follow the law.
Local 150 is proud to welcome these new members.
Local 601
Local Launches Health Screening Program
Local 601 was proud to launch a new member benefit in 2010: the My Health IQ health screening program. The program enables members to learn about their health through a wellness exam and selfadministered health survey. The exams are conducted at worksite locations in newly purchased stateof- the-art trailers.
The My Health IQ service includes Lifestyle Management Health Advisors. These health educators, dieticians, nurses, and other certified health professionals review the exams and surveys to determine if members are at risk for particular health issues. If so, the appropriate advisor calls the member once a month and works with the member to address the problem. The conversations are completely confidential between the member and their advisor.
“This is a great opportunity for all of us” says Secretary-Treasurer Lucio Reyes. “Be sure and take part when the Health Service trailers come to your plant. Join the more than 3,000 members who took an active part in 2010.”
Locals 2010 & 386
CUE Teamsters rally in Berkeley where the Chancellor is holding a breakfast.
Rallying for a Contract at UC
More than 14,000 UC Clerical and Allied Support employees represented by CUE/Teamsters Local 2010 have been working without a contract since 2008 and have not had a wage increase since 2007. UC has been stonewalling negotiations and failing to bargain in good faith with the CUE Teamsters. The previously independent union affiliated with the Teamsters in the spring, and has stepped up their actions to push for a contract.
Taking it to breakfast
On October 22, in a strong turnout for a 7:45 event, about 30 CUE Local 2010 Teamsters gathered at the Revival Restaurant in Berkeley to greet the attendees of the Chancellors Breakfast carrying signs that said, "No more UC delays, Contract Now!"
The demonstrators handed out Payday candy bars wrapped in a leaflet that asked Chancellor Birgeneau to “Stop the Discrimination. UC Berkeley Staff Deserve Respect.” As the Chancellor’s group met inside, they covered the restaurant’s windows so that the demonstrators could not see inside and they did not have to face the picket signs.
“Neither the Chancellor nor the UC Regents will be able to eat or meet in peace until they start bargaining in good faith with us,” says CUE Teamsters 2010 Statewide President Anytra Henderson. “We need a contract and it’s past time that they start talking with us.”
Rally at UC Merced
On November 1, Teamsters Local 386 Secretary-Treasurer Gaylord Phillips, and his staff attended a rally at UC Merced to support CUE/Teamsters Local 2010. UC Merced is the newest campus of the UC system and employs 74 CUE Teamsters.
The rally was called for that day to get the attention of UC regents and UC President Mark Yudof during his visit to the campus for the first meeting of the new chancellor selection committee, union officials said.
Susan White, president of the UC Merced CUE, told the Merced Sun- Star newspaper that she was concerned that in the future, employees will have to contribute a higher percentage of their paychecks to their pensions without a wage increase.
Henderson told the paper that four other union groups within the UC system have received wage increases. “They can’t use the excuse that they don’t have any money," she said. “They gave UPTE a three percent wage increase.”
Local 2785 Retirees
Another Great Picnic
The Local 2785 Retirees Club picnic was a big success. The
crowd of 79 retirees and spouses at Coyote Point in San
Mateo had a great meal of steak and chicken. The Club
extends an open invitation to retirees from all Teamster
locals to attend monthly meetings and attend next year’s
event.
Local 853
More than 900 Local 853 members filled the John Muir Junior High School auditorium
for the Local’s annual membership appreciation day in November.
Record number of members attend annual meeting
Local 853’s member appreciation meeting, held on November 5 at the John Muir Junior High School auditorium in San Leandro, was another standingroom- only event. The total count was more than 900 members in attendance.
The meeting had two main events: the first was Secretary-Treasurer Rome Aloise’ annual State of the Local address, where he recapped recent contract settlements, reviewed the impact of economic changes on some of our employers, and assessed the election results. The second main event was that more than 100 members won prizes ranging from union jackets and paraphernalia to a 50” flat-screen TV.
In addition, Kaiser Permanente was on hand to give flu shots.
“Our local is great because of you and your willingness to support our officers and officials and shop stewards,” Aloise told the members. “Consistency, experience, and knowhow are what produces results, and our local has all three!”
Local 856
Union holds first Shop Steward Appreciation Day
Local 856 held its first Shop Steward Appre c i a t i o n Day on October 9 and more than 70 stewards came to San Francisco for the event. The union created the event to honor those members who take the extra step to serve as stewards and are essential to effective representation for all of our members.
Stewards who work at Delta Dental, the San Francisco Zoo, UPS and many other companies took time out of their busy schedules to join the festivities.
Local 856 Secretary-Treasurer Joe Lanthier and President Neil Saccoman welcomed everyone and thanked them for their dedication to upholding the rights of their fellow members in the workplace.
Saccoman, who was a 31-year steward told the crowd that he empathized with their trials and tribulations, but also knew that the sometimes thankless job of being a steward could be very rewarding as well.
Among the keynote speakers were Joint Council 7 President, Rome Aloise, UNITE HERE Local 2 President Mike Casey and IBT Western Region Organizing Coordinator Manny Valenzuela. Aloise thanked the stewards for their commitment to the Union and stressed the necessity of electing laborfriendly candidates into office. Casey underscored the importance of Local 856’s support in Local 2’s current contract negotiations with several San Francisco hotels, and Valenzuela updated the stewards on the IBT’s recent organizing campaigns.
The day also consisted of educational workshops taught by labor attorneys designed to help stewards be successful in their duties.
Several members were recognized for the unique qualities they demonstrate in their roles as stewards. They include: Kathleen Romero, who works at Westin Market Street, who received the “Solidarity Award;” Jim Evangelist and Ken Hall from the City of San Bruno, who each received the “Teamwork Award;” Paula Arnett from the UFCW Trust Fund who was the recipient of the “Teamster Tenacity Award;” Will Ward from Marin General Hospital was given the “Billy Campbell Award,” named for 30-year Shop Steward Billy Campbell, who was a member at the San Leandro Unified School District and recently passed away.
The day closed with Susan Korth of Washington Hospital winning the 50/50 raffle, which benefited the Solidarity Fund, and Annette Kenney from Beeson, Tayer and Bodine winning the door prize: an Ipod Touch!
“Stewards play a critical role in the advocacy of our members day-in and day-out. Their dedication is the backbone of our Union,” said Lanthier. “Their passion and commitment makes the Teamsters Union the finest in the world. It’s important that we take this time out to appreciate them for all they do for their fellow union members and the labor movement as a whole.”
Local 912
Good Contract at Watsonville Hospital
Local 912 settled a new three-year contract with Watsonville Community Hospital in November for its 55 members who work in the business office, administration, records and registration. The agreement includes increases in each year of the contract, “and we maintained all of the good benefits that were in there,” says Secretary-Treasurer Brad Sebring.
Copyright ©2010 by Teamsters Joint Council 7