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INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS MARCH/APRIL 2008

Full Steam Ahead At UPS Freight Thousands of Workers Join the Teamsters from Coast to Coast

nnn%k\Xdjk\i%fi^ in this issue 2 teamster News l Carhaulers Seek 8 Full Steam Ahead Job Security Thousands Of UPS Freight Workers l Allied Waste Teamsters Join The Teamsters Secure Contracts l Teamsters Assist Flood 14 Drive For Victims In Washington l Fighting Free Improvements Trade Agreements More First Student And First l New Construction Transit Drivers Join Teamsters Division Director Named 18 18 New Addition Local 117 Focuses on 20 organizing Representing And Building l Tollbooth Operators Existing Units Join Four Locals l Hotel 22 Everyday Heroes Employees Join Union MV Transportation Workers l Local 671 Welcomes Organize, Ratify Strong Contract Transit Workers l Peter Pan Bus Workers Join Local 25 32 Dr. King’s Legacy l BMWED Welcomes Memphis Workers Emulate Oklahoma Rail Employees 1968 Sanitation Struggle

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26 National Strike Averted BMWED, Rail Coalition Achieve Tentative Agreement With Amtrak

www.teamster.org

International Brotherhood of Teamsters 25 Louisiana Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20001-2198 202-624-6800

The Teamster (ISSN 1083-2394) is the official publication of the International Brotherhood of Teamster, 25 Louisiana Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20001-2198. It is published six times a year in January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August, September/ October, November/December. Periodical postage paid at Washington, DC and at additional mailing offices. march/april 2008 / Volume 105, No. 2 © 2008 International Brotherhood of Teamsters. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without writ- ten permission is prohibited. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Teamster, Affiliates Records Department, 25 Louisiana Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20001- 2198. Subscription rates: $12 per year. Single copies, $2. (All orders payable in advance.) Members should send address changes to their local union. A MESSAGE FROM THE GENERAL PRESIDENT 503&REIGHT#AMPAIGN-OVES&ORWARD

s this edition of Teamster magazine the years of struggle many of these workers went to press, more than 6,000 work- endured. For more than half a century, work- ers at UPS Freight (formerly Overnite ers at Overnite had struggled to become Transportation) had joined our union, Teamsters and win a Teamster contract, cul- a phenomenal success in a phenomenal minating in an unfair labor practices strike campaign.You may recall that during from 1999 to 2002 when Overnite was owned the 27th International Convention by Union Pacific railroad. Jimmy Jenkins, a back in June 2006, we announced that dockworker at UPS Freight in Memphis, has we had won a card-check agreement worked for the company for nearly 11 years. with UPS Freight. The plan was to Upon submitting his authorization card, he negotiate a strong contract at one location— said, “I’m glad to finally see this day!” Jimmy, Indianapolis—and use that winning contract we’re glad to finally see this day as well. 8as a model to negotiate contracts at other locations. After the Indianapolis work- Positive Changes ers voted to ratify their contract 107-1 last UPS Freight employees work hard every October, we prepared for the campaign that day to handle and move freight across the is under way. International Vice President . For far too long, they have Ken Hall has been working closely with the been lacking the strong voice necessary to local unions and the Organizing Department make improvements in their work lives. That to coordinate the card signings. Organizing is changing now, and thousands of families through card-check is an efficient, smart way will be far better off because of it. When we to grow our union and increase Teamster ended the strike against Overnite and its Power. Thousands more UPS Freight work- parent company, Union Pacific, back in ers will join the union in the coming weeks 2002, I pledged to continue to work with and months. Our goal is to provide the Overnite workers to help them make positive 12,600 UPS Freight workers who are eligible changes. That day has arrived, and justice is to become Teamsters with a brighter future prevailing at UPS Freight terminals all over and a stronger voice at work. the United States. A Core Industry This campaign involves a core Teamster industry, and is especially gratifying given K<8DJK

try Negotiating Committee union. The agreements also reviewed contract proposals established a two-tier wage 0RIORITY*OB3ECURITY in late January. National con- structure that pays new work- Carhaul Teamsters Want Jobs, Benefits Protected tract talks were expected to ers less than current ones and begin around March 1 (go diverts COLA payments into to www.teamster.org for the paying for health-care benefits. latest update). The National For example, GM’s new Master Automobile Transport- contract with the UAW ob security and protect- security, and we will address ers Agreement, which covers reduces its health-care obliga- ing pensions and health- those concerns in the contract about 10,000 Teamster car- tions by $47 billion and cuts Acare benefits are the top negotiations,” said Fred Zuck- haulers, expires May 31, 2008. new worker compensation in concerns of Teamster Carhaul erman, Director of the Team- Rising gasoline prices and half. Instead of a defined pen- members as talks for a new sters Carhaul Division. “We the growing financial crisis sion benefit, new hires will national contract get under way. will also address their pension battered the U.S. car market in have contributions paid into “The U.S. auto industry and health-care concerns.” 2007. Sales fell by 2.5 percent a 401(k) and will have to con- is facing very difficult times, Contract-proposal surveys to 16.15 million vehicles—the tribute to their health-care pre- and that directly affects our were returned in January, and lowest level seen since the end miums. GM’s U.S. hourly labor carhaul members. They are the union’s National Auto- of the 1990s. The Big Three costs dropped to $10.1 billion concerned about their job mobile Transporters Indus- automakers—GM, Ford and in 2007 from $12.6 billion in Chrysler—are seeing 2006, and will decline “signifi- their market shares cantly” from 2008-2011. dwindle and are With the U.S. economy trying to lower all slowing down significantly, the their costs including auto sector is not expecting any what they pay com- improvement in 2008. Experts panies to haul their expect to see car sales in North new cars. America hovering between 15.5 and 15.9 million cars. Recent At this rate, the world’s Agreements biggest car market could soon The recent conces- have to hand over the title to sionary UAW agree- Europe with its growing ments with GM, eastern regions. It is within this Chrysler and Ford difficult environment that the allow the companies Teamsters Union will fight to to turn over respon- protect carhaul jobs as well as sibility for retiree pensions and health benefits in health care to the the upcoming negotiations.

GENERAL EXECUTIVE BOARD

James P. Hoffa 7*$&13&4*%&/54 Fredrick P. Potter Jr. 5&".45&34$"/"%" $&/53"-3&(*0/ &"45&3/3&(*0/ 4065)&3/3&(*0/ 53645&&4 General President "5-"3(& 3400 Highway 35 Robert Bouvier John T. Coli Jack Cipriani Tyson Johnson Ferline Buie 25 Louisiana Ave. N.W. Randy Cammack Executive Plaza, Suite 7 President 5940 W. Montrose Ave. P.O. Box 35405 1007 Jonelle Street 2120 Bladensburg Washington, D.C. 20001 845 Oak Park Road Hazlet, NJ 07730 Teamsters Canada Chicago, IL 60634 Greensboro, NC 27425 , TX 75217 Rd. N.E. Covina, CA 91724 2540 Daniel Johnson Washington, D.C. 20018 C. Thomas Keegel Fred Simpson Suite 804 Patrick W. Flynn Daniel J. Kane Sr. Ken Wood General Secretary- Fred Gegare 20300 Civic Center Dr. Laval, Quebec 4217 South Halsted St. 1308 Pierce Street 5818 E. MLK Jr. Blvd. Frank Gallegos Treasurer 1546 Main Street Suite 320 Canada H7T 2S3 Chicago, IL 60609 Rahway, NJ 07065 Tampa, FL 33619 207 North Sanborn Rd. 25 Louisiana Ave. N.W. Green Bay, WI 54302 Southfield, MI Salinas, CA 93905 Washington, D.C. 20001 48076-4169 Tom Fraser Cheryl Johnson John Murphy 8&45&3/3&(*0/ Ken Hall 1890 Meyerside Drive 25 Louisiana Ave. N.W. 348 D Street J. Allen Hobart Henry B. Perry Jr. 267 Staunton Ave. S.W. George Tedeschi Mississauga, Ontario Washington, D.C. 20001 , MA 02127 14675 Interurban Ave. S. 976 E. Brooks Ave. South Charleston, WV 25 Louisiana Ave. N.W. Canada L5T 1B4 Suite 301 Memphis, TN 38116 25303 Washington, D.C. 20001 Walter A. Lytle Tukwila, WA 98168 Don McGill 2644 Cass Street Carroll E. Haynes 490 E. Broadway Fort Wayne, IN 46808 Chuck Mack 50 Calhoun Avenue Vancouver, B.C. P.O. Box 2270 New Rochelle, NY Canada V5T 1X3 Gordon Sweeton Oakland, CA 94621 10801 1601 Maiden Lane Joplin, MO 64802 Jim Santangelo 818 S. Oak Park Road Covina, CA 91724 ) K<8DJK

Shield PPO was retained. As this PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEF BOND.

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hen recent flooding in A parade of relief trucks the Pacific Northwest organized by KOMO-TV and Nhit area homes and the Salvation Army drove businesses, Teamster Joint to Centralia, Washington to Councils, locals and members deliver donations. The Local sprung into action to help 174 truck led the charge, those in need. unloading donated goods for “I came home from work, those affected by the floods. turned the TV on and saw The 53-foot truck was filled been devastated by this act of Washington Locals 231 in that the flooding had started. with items from the commu- nature. We are doing all that we Bellingham and 763 in Tukwila A local TV station was hav- nity, including clothing, food can to let them know that they donated cribs, play pens and ing a drive to collect items and other necessities. The are not alone and that we are supplies, while the Joint Coun- for people, so I called my Teamster truck was one of here to help,” said Al Hobart, cil 28 Women’s Caucus pur- principal officer, Rick Hicks seven trucks carrying an esti- International Vice President and chased supermarket gift certifi- at Local 174, and he said, ‘We mated $750,000 in supplies. Joint Council 28 President. cates for members. Centralia, need to help out,’” said Gary Countless Teamster locals where Local 252 is located, was Ploegsma, an eight-year mem- Reaching Out throughout Washington and one of the most heavily affected ber of Local 174 in Tukwila, “We feel for the Teamster mem- Oregon worked together to areas. Local 252 received dona- Washington. bers and their families who have reach out to those in need. tions from Joint Council 28,

he tide of public opinion Teamsters are fighting on the against unfair trade is front lines of the battle against Kturning slowly, but after such job-killing policies as new more than a decade of NAFTA free trade agreements, cross- 4RADE7INDS disasters, it’s decidedly turning. border trucking and weak Fighting Against Bad Trade Agreements Some of the Teamsters Union’s enforcement of intellectual most important new allies on property theft. Capitol Hill got there because they campaigned in the 2006 Free Trade Agreements elections against free trade Late last year, Congress passed policies. They include Sen. Jon what will probably be the Bush Tester of Montana, Reps. Betty administration’s last so-called Sutton of Ohio, Nancy Boyda free trade agreement. The of Kansas, Phil Hare of Illinois Teamsters strong fight against and Dale Kildee of Michigan. the Peru Free Trade Agree- Sen. Barack Obama believes ment made it far less likely that that NAFTA needs a major another will be brought before overhaul and has said that Congress. when he is president, he will In the run-up to the House work with the leaders of Can- and Senate votes on the work- ada and Mexico to fix NAFTA. er-unfriendly deal, Teamsters Most startling, a recent poll in General President Jim Hoffa The Wall Street Journal showed met with members of Con- 59 percent of Republicans— gress, held press conferences, and a similar number of wrote letters, appeared on Democrats—believe free trade television and issued statement policies hurt the economy. The after statement. He reminded

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4IME&OR#HANGE Future of Camp Cars in the Balance After U.S. House Vote

ecently, representatives in Safety Bill of 2007 this past fall, had plans of its own and member from Virginia, who the U.S. House passed the anti-union lobbyists from Nor- brought in seven NS members spoke anonymously because IRailroad Safety Improve- folk Southern (NS) railroad and other volunteer political of concerns about retaliation ment Act, eliminating camp were pounding the halls of coordinators. by the employer. “I’ve traveled cars and decreasing limbo Congress. Their mission: try to “We came to D.C. to wake in camp cars for rail work for time, both important issues convince members that camp up our legislators about the the past three years in Ohio, for Teamsters Rail Conference cars, the mobile dormitories horrible conditions that NS Virginia and even down to members. The vote was an used to house rail crew mem- puts us in every day we are Jacksonville, Florida. These overwhelming 377-38. bers while on assignment, were on the job,” said a Brother- cars are cramped. There are As the U.S. House prepared good for members. The Team- hood of Maintenance of Way eight men to each car.” for a floor vote on the Rail sters Rail Conference, though, Employes Division (BMWED) “Our rail members, the engineers, trainmen and maintenance of way workers who ensure that this nation’s rail system runs safely, won a “We came to major victory with the passage D.C. to wake up of H.R. 2095,” said Jim Hoffa, Teamsters General President. our legislators The conditions are cramped about the horrible and filthy. The rail supervisors are supposed to taste the food conditions that to make sure it is edible, but NS puts us in apparently they don’t eat it. every day we are Instead they go to a restaurant. on the job.”

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E+BDPCTPO UIF8FTUFSO3FHJPO%JSFDUPSGPSUIF#VJMEJOH.BUF Seeing the Light &SJBMBOE$POTUSVDUJPO5SBEF%JWJTJPO XBTOBNFEUIFEJWJTJPOµT About a dozen members of OFX%JSFDUPSCZ(FOFSBM1SFTJEFOU+JN)PGGB SFQMBDJOH3JDIBSEOF the BMWED and BLET spent 4UFSO XIPSFUJSFEJO%FDFNCFS4U a week in Washington, D.C. 4UFSO XIPIBEXPSLFEGPSUIF5FBNTUFST6OJPOGPSNPSFUIBO speaking with members of UXPEFDBEFT TFSWFEBTEJWJTJPO%JSFDUPSGPSFJHIUZFBST4UFSOUX TBJE Congress about the need to POFPGIJTNPTUNFNPSBCMFBDDPNQMJTINFOUTXBTNBLJOHSFUJSFPO retain language in House Bill NFOUBOEIFBMUICFOFGJUTBUUBJOBCMFGPSUSBWFMJOHQJQFMJOFXPSLN FST 2095 that eliminates camp cars. ²8IFO*GJSTUUPPLPWFS JUXBTOFBSMZJNQPTTJCMFGPSUSBWFMJOH Many Democrats were already convinced that camp cars QJQFMJOFSTUPTBWFGPSSFUJSFNFOUPSRVBMJGZGPSIFBMUICFOFGJUQJ T ³ needed to be eliminated, and 4UFSOTBJE²5IFZTJNQMZDPVMEOµUHFUFOPVHIUJNFJO5IFZIBE4U UP some Republican staffers, after DPOUSJCVUFUPMPDBMGVOET8IFOUIFKPCTXFSFPWFSUIFZNPWFEPDP O  initially rebuffing members’ CVUUIFJSDPOUSJCVUJPOTEJEOµUNPWFXJUIUIFN³5PEBZBMMQJQFMCV JOFST accounts of living in the cars, BSFDPWFSFECZUIF$FOUSBM4UBUFTCFOFGJUTGVOET"OEOPNBUUFSBS  soon began to see the light. XIFSFUIFZBSFJOUIFDPVOUSZ UIFJSCFOFGJUTBDDSVFVOJOUFSSVQUFE “You could see their eyes 4UFSOBMTPVTIFSFEJOOFXUFDIOPMPHJFT MPHHJOHKVSJTEJDUJPOBMCPVOE bug out when we told them BSJFT EBUBCBTJOHBSCJUSBUJPOEFDJTJPOT MFUUFSTPGBTTJHONFOUTBOEPUIFS “Construction is an about the conditions we endure EPDVNFOUTUPIFMQSFTPMWFEJTQVUFTCFGPSFUIFZCFDBNFNBKPSQSPCMFNT industry that stays within in the camp cars,” said a mem- ²5IBUNBEFVTNPSFFGGJDJFOUBOELFQU5FBNTUFSTXPSLJOH ³IFTBJE the confines of our bor- ber of the BMWED. “When I ders and it is part of the started on the rails I was young infrastructure that keeps and I didn’t know any better. Goals for the Division this country strong. I But it didn’t take long for me +BDPCTPOBMTPDSFEJUT4UFSOXJUIHSPXJOHUIFEJWJTJPO BOETBJEPOF believe we need to focus to get very tired of camp cars. PGIJTJOJUJBMHPBMTJTDPOUJOVJOHUIBUNPNFOUVN²3JDIBSEIBTEPOF on getting a larger per- They were always losing their HSFBUXPSLGPSUIJTEJWJTJPOGPSZFBSTBOEIJTMFBEFSTIJQXJMMCFNJTTFE* centage of that work, power, air, heat or water. And it MPPLGPSXBSEUPDPOUJOVJOHIJTHSFBUXPSLBOEEPJOHNZCFTUUPHSPXUIF is not a clean place.” and that means working EJWJTJPOBOEGJHIUGPSCFUUFSOBUJPOBMDPOUSBDUTGPSPVSNFNCFST “Norfolk Southern is the hand-in-hand with the ²$POTUSVDUJPOJTBOJOEVTUSZUIBUTUBZTXJUIJOUIFDPOGJOFTPGPVS last railroad to keep these sub- other crafts.” CPSEFSTBOEJUJTQBSUPGUIFJOGSBTUSVDUVSFUIBULFFQTUIJTDPVOUSZ standard accommodations and – ED JACOBSON, DIRECTOR, TUSPOH ³+BDPCTPOTBJE²*CFMJFWFXFOFFEUPGPDVTPOHFUUJOHBMBSHFS we will be glad to see them go,” BUILDING MATERIAL AND QFSDFOUBHFPGUIBUXPSL BOEUIBUNFBOTXPSLJOHIBOEJOIBOEXJUIUIF said Fred Simpson, Interna- CONSTRUCTION TRADE DIVISION tional Vice President and Pres- PUIFSDSBGUT³ ident of the BMWED. “Our "ZFBS5FBNTUFS +BDPCTPOCSJOHTBXFBMUIPGLOPXMFEHFBOE members should never have FYQFSJFODFUPUIFQPTJUJPO+BDPCTPOCFHBOIJTDBSFFSBTB5FBNTUFS had to endure the cramped JOBTBOFNQMPZFFBUBTDSBQZBSESFQSFTFOUFECZ-PDBMJO$FOUSBMJB 8BTIJOHUPO)FXBT and unsanitary conditions in FMFDUFEUPIJTGJSTUPGGJDFUISFFZFBSTMBUFS TFSWJOHBTBCVTJOFTTBHFOUBU-PDBMUIFO4FDSFUBSZ those cars.” 5SFBTVSFSJO±BQPTJUJPOIFIFMEGPSZFBST+BDPCTPOXBTOBNFEUIFEJWJTJPOµT8FTUFSO The Rail Conference and 3FHJPO%JSFDUPSJO)FJTBMTPUIFTPOPGBZFBSNFNCFSPGUIF5FBNTUFST#SPUIFSIPPEPG the legislative departments of .BJOUFOBODFPG8BZ&NQMPZFT%JWJTJPO the Teamsters, the BMWED ²&E+BDPCTPOIBTEPOFPVUTUBOEJOHXPSLGPSPVSVOJPOGPSNPSFUIBOUISFFEFDBEFTBOE*BNDPO and BLET will continue to work to keep the pressure on GJEFOUIFXJMMDPOUJOVFUPEPTPJOIJTOFXSPMFBT%JSFDUPS ³)PGGBTBJE²)FCSJOHTUIFDPNNJUNFOU Congress so that the elimina- BOEFYQFSJFODFUIBUXJMMTFSWFUIFEJWJTJPOGPSZFBSTUPDPNF³ tion of camp cars is secured.

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onnell Jefferson, a UPS Freight dockworker in Memphis, said it feels great being a Teamster after years of struggling to join the union and finally being on track to win a Teamster contract. D“I feel great—I feel like we’re going to the champion- ship game,” said Jefferson, a 10-year employee of UPS Freight and its predecessor, Overnite Transportation. “To me being a Teamster is about respect. I now know that I will be respected.” Jefferson and a majority of his 410 coworkers at UPS Freight in Memphis signed authorization cards to become Teamsters, part of a nationwide card-check agreement with UPS Freight. At press time, a majority of 6,000 workers had signed cards out of 12,600 prospective members. Workers are seeking fair wages, improved and more affordable health care, and a guaranteed pension, among other issues. For perspective on the size and scope of this campaign, look back four years ago to when 3,100 America West workers voted to join the Teamsters. That victory was the largest private-sector organizing victory in years. The UPS Freight campaign already far exceeds that victory and the campaign is far from over. Meanwhile, Jefferson’s coworker on the Memphis dock, Anthony Pope, said the Teamsters Union stood behind the workers during the workers’ fight for justice and a strong voice at work. “I thank God for the Teamsters,” said Pope, a 13-year employee. “The guys from Local 667 never let us down. They were with us from day one. They fought for us through thick and thin.”

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 nnn%k\Xdjk\i%fi^kk sD8I:?&8GI@C)''/ss D8I:?&8GI@C )''/ s K<8DJK>>>>>>>>> Improvements >>>>>> MORE FIRST STUDENT AND FIRST TRANSIT DRIVERS JOIN TEAMSTERS

ill Codick and Tameula Smith “You have a right to fair pay and ben- sidiaries of United Kingdom-based trans- have never met, but they have a efits, and to be happy at your job,” Smith portation giant, FirstGroup. Meanwhile, lot in common. Codick works said. “It’s about everybody being treated 320 First Student drivers, mechanics and for First Student in Tonawanda, fairly, and I knew the Teamsters could help fuelers voted overwhelmingly to join New York and Smith works for us make that happen.” Local 878 in Little Rock. These victories First Student in Little Rock, Arkansas. Both Recently, 130 First Student drivers, were the latest in a successful national are school bus drivers. That’s not all the mechanics and monitors who work for campaign to improve working conditions two have in common. They both recently First Student in Tonawanda joined 63 in the private bus industry. Since the cam- became Teamster members, along with First Transit drivers in Buffalo in becom- paign kicked off in 2006, more than 5,300 hundreds of their coworkers who are seek- ing members of Local 449 in Buffalo. First private school bus workers have joined ing improvements in their workplace. Student and First Transit are both sub- the Teamsters. PSL : X /F

5POBXBOEB Respect ference in their lives, and the lives of their ers’ campaign to join the Teamsters. They “The First Transit and First Student work- coworkers. also want safe buses that meet Transporta- ers came to me because our local repre- The workers didn’t rely solely on Team- tion Department standards, and better pay sents workers at two Laidlaw bus yards,” ster organizers to do all the work, and and benefits, such as paid holidays and said Richard Zak, President of Local 449. instead went above and beyond to win a sick leave. “They’re looking for respect and to feel landslide victory in just a few months. “We were being done wrong and we wanted in the workplace. And we are look- The new members, with their endless were fed up,” said Barbara Stewart, a ing forward to putting together a great excitement and enthusiasm for the union, driver. “We won because everybody stuck contract that will protect their rights and have injected a renewed energy at Local together. We stood together like never provide for what they deserve.” 878, said President Tim Nichols. The vic- before to get it done.” In New York, the First Transit drivers tory is the largest for the local in 20 years. The company miscalculated how close- transport students within the campuses “This is the most positive, enthusiastic, knit the workers are and how determined of the State University of New York, Uni- proactive group we’ve ever dealt with. They they were to become Teamsters, said Ste- versity at Buffalo, while the First Student are very eager and they are a pleasure to phen Hanson, a driver and new member drivers, mechanics and monitors transport younger, school-age students. Both sets of workers decided to form their union pri- marily seeking fairness on the job. “We felt we were being treated unfairly and knew we needed a union. We needed the Teamsters,” said Nicole George, a First Transit driver. George and her coworkers voted 39-1 to join Local 449. Taking the Initiative George and her First Transit coworkers were united from the very beginning. They approached Local 449 in October of last year, and within one week, 80 percent of the authorization cards had been signed. The workers cast their votes by mail-in ballot. The First Student workers in Tonawan- da also took the initiative to approach the local, seeking assistance in forming their union. “We weren’t being treated fairly,” Codick said. “There is another First Stu- dent terminal right down the street with  employees doing the same job and mak- work with,” Nichols said. “So many of our of Local 878. The overwhelming vote of ing more money. That’s because they’re members are under contracts that are very 243-3 sends a big signal to management Teamsters. That’s when we decided to get established, and sometimes we become that the workers are serious about improv- in touch with the Teamsters.” complacent and take things for granted. ing their families’ lives. Through joint efforts between the I’ve had several members tell me this has “We don’t just punch the clock, say ‘hi’ International Union and local organizers, given them a new appreciation for what and go home,” Hanson said. “We see each the First Transit and First Student workers they have as Teamsters in the workplace.” other after work at barbeques and pool were able to quickly join the Teamsters. “Almost every day you could bet there’d parties. Everyone knows each other’s kids. The First Student workers went to a vote be school bus drivers who would show up We’re a family.” one week after the First Transit workers at the local to work,” said Clint Shields, Even the workers were surprised at how voted “yes” for the union. Both sets of new a volunteer organizer at Local 878 who huge their victory was when the election members are now submitting proposals works for ABF. “I’ve never seen a group results were announced. and looking forward to gaining strong of people so enthusiastic about becoming “I was speechless,” said Lashe Watkins, a Teamster contracts. Teamsters. It was awesome.” driver. “The ‘yes’ votes kept coming and com- ing. When we won it was such a relief. I start- Going Above and Beyond Sticking Together ed crying. I knew we had it, but I just couldn’t Meanwhile, in Little Rock, First Student Addressing employee favoritism at First believe it. It shows that when we all come employees put their all into making a dif- Student was a big motivator in the work- together as one, we can get what we want.”

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CONTRACTS

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or chaplain Eric Askren, who counsels prisoners at a cor- Building by Blocks rections center, helping inmates reunite with their family or “This is a great approach to organizing,” said Jim Hoffa, Team- Fchange their ways can be trying but absolutely worthwhile. sters General President. “When one group of workers at a work- “I love seeing lives changed, the transformation that takes place are Teamsters, their power and voice increase as a second, place when families are reunited and when parents, now clean and then a third group of coworkers also join their union. Local 117 is sober, are reunited with their kids,” said Askren, a chaplain at Coy- helping current members and new members alike.” ote Ridge Correction Center in Connell, Washington. “I work with In recent months Local 117 has made steady efforts to help a great group here and when these things happen, we’ve helped unorganized employees at the DOC, the Pike Place Market in society and the world. We’ve made a difference. That’s important.” Seattle and other facilities to become Teamsters. Last year, Askren and 15 fellow chaplains also made a differ- “Building existing units, especially within the public sector, ence when they voted to join Local 117 in Tukwila, Washington. has been one of our goals for years,” said John Williams, Secre- The chaplains were far from alone: 66 other employees—includ- tary-Treasurer of Local 117 in Tukwila, Washington. “For work- ing psychiatrists and psychologists—also voted to join the local at ers, it’s important to be part of a union that has a strong presence approximately the same time. In total, more than 5,000 workers both at the facilities and in the halls of government where deci- throughout the Washington State Department of Corrections sions are made.” (DOC) system are members of Local 117. At the DOC, the newly organized workers were welcomed “The Teamsters have always been strong here at Coyote Ridge by thousands of corrections officers and sergeants, maintenance and throughout the system,” Askren said. “Whether the issue is workers, medical employees, administrative support, records pay, benefits, or the right or wrong of an issue, they are always specialists, kitchen employees and warehouse workers who were listened to. In a large system like this, having a voice that’s heard longtime Local 117 members. is important.” “Our power is in our membership,” said Tom Wright, a cor-

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Vice President and President of the workers form their union. Joint Council 25. “They have a lot of concerns 2OADTO3UCCESS “We’re happy as a Joint that they knew the Teamsters 244 Indiana Tollbooth Operators Join Four Local Unions Council that this came togeth- could back them with.” er so well,” said Brian Buhle, The tollbooth operators n any given day, hundreds Team Effort Vice President of Joint Coun- joined the Teamsters in order of drivers passing through Stewart is one of 244 workers cil 69. “We all worked well to address multiple issues. FIndiana come in contact at the privately run Indiana Toll together to make this happen. Safety is a major concern, with Margie Stewart. Stewart Road, who recently became This was truly only possible as with workers saying they have has worked for the Indiana Toll members of Locals 135, 142, a team effort.” to cross several lanes of traf- Road as a tollbooth operator 364 and 414. As members of fic and worry about working for the past 12 years. Stewart, the four local unions, the toll- Perseverance night shifts in isolated areas. and many of her cowork- booth operators fall within the The tollbooth operators were In upcoming negotiations the ers, felt they needed major jurisdiction of Joint Councils formerly state employees, until new members plan to address improvements in their working 25 and 69. Leaders from the Governor Mitch Daniels leased excessive work hours, job bid- conditions. Recently, they took Joint Councils and local unions the road in 2006. The toll road ding procedures, low wages the first step in making those joined forces to make the cam- is now operated by Indiana Toll and inadequate benefits. changes by voting to join the paign a success. Road Concessions Company, a Dennis Rose has worked Teamsters. “This campaign demon- private company based overseas. for the toll road for five years, “When I heard about the strates the remarkable work “These workers have been since before it was leased to a Teamsters, I decided to work that can be done when we through a lot with the change private company. really hard. I got a passion for come together as a union, in management, but they “People have been fed up it. I did house calls, passed combine our strengths and persevered,” said Russel Ryan, with everything that has been out fliers, made a lot of phone push for a positive change in a Joint Council 25 organizer going on here lately, with the calls, and really pushed for the lives of working people,” who worked tirelessly to help promises never fulfilled, with it,” said Stewart, a member of said John T. Coli, International mandatory overtime, and Local 142 in Gary, Indiana. “In changes to our insurance. I my previous jobs I had been hope to see that change,” said union. I knew the Teamsters Rose, a new member of Local were a good union and would 364 in South Bend, Indiana. help us.” “I’m glad to be a part of the Teamsters now.”

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efore joining the Teamsters, life ence of Teamsters Pension Plan,” said Bob to sit in the lunchroom and collect cards at ATC Vancom in Santa Clara Blanchet, President of Local 287 in San Jose. from a new group of workers who take County, California meant no Perteca said he joined the Teamsters veterans to VA facilities. This will mean lunch breaks, a constant change for three reasons: “Security, better pay and an additional 80 members for the local, in work schedules, bus routes better working conditions.” he said. and a constant denial to requests “The only guarantee working people Ignacio Beltran, a six-year veteran of for time off. have is to get involved and get united,” the company, said that before the Team- B“There was no job protection,” said Perteca said. “It’s so easy to see that, like sters stepped in, workers were in constant Reynaldo Perteca, a seven-year employee. two and two is four. The way to go is with fear of being fired. “So many drivers were “You were like a rabbit with a wolf.” the union.” let go for the smallest of things, like getting Tired of feeling like a hunted animal, a scratch on your bus,” Beltran said. “We Perteca and his colleagues banded together Help From the Union started to get together and look for union and voted overwhelmingly to join Local Blanchet said the contract would not representation. There was no hope the 287. That’s when life started to get better have been possible without the help of other way. for them. Then, in October, MV Transpor- Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa, “Now, with our contract, we have guar- tation, Inc. took over ATC Vancom. MV International Vice President Chuck Mack, antees of pay increases, days off, benefits Transportation and the Teamsters were and Industrial Trades Representative Rick and health care,” said Beltran. “We are so able to quickly negotiate a strong three- Middleton. Mack brought MV Transpor- much happier now.” year contract and workers voted 220-63 to tation CEO Jon Monson to Washington, ratify it. D.C. to meet with Hoffa and Middleton. Change for the Better The 325 members provide transporta- “If it wasn’t for Chuck and Rick, and Linda Vejvoda, a two-year employee, said tion services to disabled, mentally chal- especially Mr. Hoffa, breaking down being a Teamster has given the workers lenged and elderly people. the barriers, getting the union and the respect. “Not only was the vote a huge victory, employer both on the same page, this con- “Before, nobody in management would but we did get the employees a $1 wage tract would not have happened,” Blanchet listen, and now they listen,” said Vejvoda. increase, future wage increases thereafter, said. “I just wish we could do this more.” “We now have the chance to change and got them into the Western Confer- In July, Blanchet will have the authority things.”

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TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY CONTINUES ILLEGAL MEXICAN TRUCK PROGRAM

here was nothing subtle about Transportation Secretary Mary Peters’ deci- sion to break the law and keep the borders open to unsafe Mexican trucks. And there was nothing subtle about the Teamsters campaign to bring public attention to her lawbreaking ways. On February 7, the Teamsters launched a nation- T al grassroots, netroots “Fire Mary Peters” campaign. “Fire Mary Peters—Lawbreaker” advertisements appeared at the subway stop just across the street from Department of Transportation headquarters. A photo of one “Fire Mary Peters” poster flashed on a billboard in Times Square the next day. “Fire Mary Peters” radio ads and web ads ran. A “Fire Mary On December 26, President Bush signed a law that included Peters” whistleblower hotline was set up to report any other law a Teamster-backed provision cutting off money for the “pilot she’s broken (202-508-6439). Several people called on the first program.” The “pilot program” had started in September with day. Teamsters who drive trucks and Teamsters who live in bor- a handful of trucks. (One truck company, Trinity Industries de der states received direct mail, urging them to take action. And a Mexico, quietly dropped out of the program after it was revealed XXXGJSFNBSZQFUFSTDPN web site was launched. that the company had 1,123 safety violations the previous year. The campaign began just days before Teamster lawyers argued That’s 112 violations per truck.) in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco that Mary Secretary Peters chose to ignore that law. Under her direction, Peters broke the law. Teamsters rallied outside the courthouse the existing “pilot project” was not stopped. before the hearing began. Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa had already been at the The Teamsters initially argued that the “pilot program” to open forefront of the fight against unsafe trucks from Mexico. He led a the border to Mexican trucks breaks laws that require certain demonstration against unsafe trucks from Mexico on December safety standards be first met. Those standards were never met. 5 at the Otay-Mesa border crossing. The argument of the union was bolstered just after Christmas. “The big money boys want to have trucks coming through here that are dangerous,” Hoffa said over the roar of cheering mented,” Rep. Pastor told Peters during a budget hearing by the Teamsters and Mexican trucks leaving the U.S. inspection station. Transportation subcommittee of the House Appropriations “How many people have to die before the Bush administration Committee. takes highway safety seriously?” Rep. Ciro Rodriguez (D-TX) asked rhetorically, “Does the In February, he made a number of national media appearanc- department have the legal authority to disregard Congress’s es to draw attention to the arrogance and lawlessness of Peters. intent?” Rodriguez noted that Peters’ pilot program to open the The response was overwhelmingly positive as Hoffa appeared border to Mexican trucks continues. “The intent of the language on C-Span’s Washington Journal, on Bloomberg TV and on Lou was to prohibit that from occurring,” Rodriguez told Peters. Dobbs Tonight. It all helped to draw attention to the hearing in San Francisco and the court case. Chuck Mack, International Vice President and Teamsters Take Action Secretary-Treasurer of Local 70 in Oakland, California hosted the At the crack of dawn on February 7, Teamsters handed leaflets protest. Hundreds of Teamsters showed up. Speakers included local to Department of Transportation (DOT) employees on their politicians, local labor leaders and Bruce Hamilton, deputy director way to work. They were generally welcomed. DOT employees of the Sierra Club, which joined the Teamsters in the lawsuit. broke into smiles when they caught sight of the giant “Fire “We must not let this illegal program continue,” Mack said. Mary Peters” floor graphic, which had “Lawbreaker” stamped “Mary Peters and the Bush administration have violated the law on her face. by allowing this program to continue despite Congress pulling The media blitz, the advertising campaign, the Internet out- funding. The safety of American families is more important than reach and the direct mail campaign got an immediate reaction. their political agenda.” In the first two days of the campaign, 1,764 letters were sent to “The Teamsters Union will continue to pressure Mary Peters senators and representatives asking them to find Mary Peters in and the DOT with help from concerned citizens, ongoing legal contempt of Congress. actions and support from our allies in elected offices on both At Teamster headquarters, calls and e-mails poured in with sides of the aisle,” Hoffa said. requests for “Fire Mary Peters” bumper stickers. The initial print run of 20,000 was gone in a matter of days. As more were ordered, Teamsters began to send in photos of places they’d attached the bumper sticker. At a demonstration against a sweatshop construc- tion site, a “Fire Mary Peters” bumper sticker was attached to a giant inflatable rat in . It wasn’t long before Peters began to feel the heat. On February 8, during an appropriations subcommittee hearing, three members of Congress told Mary Peters to her face that she was breaking the law. Ohio Rep. Marcy Kaptur, a Democrat, said point blank, “You violated the law.” Peters’ fellow Arizonan Ed Pastor, a Democrat, cautioned her that the constitutional separation of powers means that she must follow the intent of Congress. “I advise you that the program as it is should not be imple-

“How many people have to die before the Bush administration takes highway safety seriously?” — GENERAL PRESIDENT JIM HOFFA

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fter eight grueling years without a contract, 2,000 rail Teamsters at Amtrak finally have a reason to celebrate. A strong tentative agreement on new contract terms, includ- Aing average retroactive pay of $12,800, was reached in January between Amtrak and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED) of the Teamsters Rail Conference. “After eight long years and all of the rallies I attended with my union brothers and sisters, it is a relief to finally have an agreement,” said Denny Bennet, a 30-year BMWED member at Amtrak. “It’s been a long time coming,” said Renato Rufo, an 18-year member in the Boston area. “And we appreciate all of the time and effort our side put into the negotiating meetings. Amtrak has so little regard for us. They’ve treated us more like a liability. To let us go this long without a contract was very tough.” The BMWED, along with the other unions that were part of the Passenger Rail Bargaining Coalition, was preparing for a possible national strike on January 30 if Congress didn’t impose the Presidential Emergency Board’s (PEB) report, or if Amtrak had not chosen to sign an agree- ment. Strength in Bargaining “The BMWED members have waited and worked for eight very long years without a contract,” said Jim Hoffa, Teamsters Gen- eral President. “It was a surprise to us that a board appointed by President Bush, one of the most anti-labor presidents in history, decided upon a resolution to the Amtrak contract that awarded most of what we in rail labor had been fighting for.”

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confident that Amtrak will be the Atlantic City region. “Our negotiators able to keep improving the really did their best.” service on trains that run on “Even during these difficult eight years time.” our members retained their work ethic,” said Stuart Hurlburt, General Chairman Membership Wins of the Northeastern System Federation. Due to substantive gains “Our members have performed their work in wages and a payout for safely every day for the past eight years retroactive pay, BMWED and kept the integrity of the tracks at the members will reap immedi- speed that Amtrak wanted. Our members ate benefits from the new understood the battle and still did the Amtrak agreement. The PEB job—complying every day with their work recommended that “nothing orders and keeping the tracks safe for pas- “This is another example of how join- short of full retroactivity is fair and equi- senger trains.” ing with the Teamsters Rail Conference table and appropriate to begin to restore “I was surprised by the PEB’s deci- has provided strength in bargaining for to employees the lost wages that resulted our members,” said Fred Simpson, Inter- from their inability to obtain a successor national Vice President and President of agreement over the unprecedented eight- the BMWED. “Once again, coordinating year period that these employees have bargaining among the rail unions suc- continued to work without a new agree- ceeded.” ment.” Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA), Provisions include wage increases who was present at the tentative contract that average 35.2 percent over the life of signing, said, “It’s a great day for the the agreement, which is January 1, 2000 country, the workers and the passengers. through December 31, 2009, or 3.1 per- This agreement gives respect to the work- cent compounded per year. Retroactive ers. This agreement is important for our pay averages $12,800, which will be paid in economic growth and stability. After eight two installments. long years without a pay raise, Amtrak’s “The new contract will restore the employees have finally won a contract that buying power of our members,” said Jed sion,” said James Fay, a BMWED member grants them the fair wages and benefits Dodd, General Chairman of the Pennsyl- since 1975. “I thought it wouldn’t have they deserve and which reflects their indis- vania Federation. “And it will significantly gone as much in favor with us. Although pensable contributions to Amtrak and the increase the take-home pay of our mem- after reading the very general testimony nation. The leaders standing here today bers. We had two major stumbling blocks of Amtrak’s management it seemed like were serious about negotiating a contract in our negotiations. One was Amtrak’s they really would decide in our favor. I was that both sides can be proud of. insistence in draconian work condi- shocked that Amtrak’s testimony was so “The union leaders held their ground tions and the second was their insistence general, and yet our case was presented so and they have delivered an agreement that there would be no retroactive wage professionally.” worthy of the hardworking men and increases. We won on both issues.” women who keep trains running every “We couldn’t believe our eyes when the No Work Rule Changes day,” Kennedy said. “And the agreement is Presidential Emergency Board decision The new Amtrak agreement also proposed also a victory for the Amtrak passengers, came out,” said Bennet, a member who no work rule changes, another huge ben- the commuters and the public who can be has worked in New York, and efit to members.

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REPORT 106 TO ALL MEMBERS of approximately 15 years. The charges and allegations contained in the indictment relate to Hobbs Act extortion OF THE INTERNATIONAL and embezzling assets of a labor organization. Mr. Rumore BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on bail. As a background, the proposed charges against Mr. FROM: Independent Review Board Rumore similar to those in the indictment were included Benjamin R. Civiletti in the IRB’s 2004 report to Mr. Hoffa. The IBT filed the Joseph E. diGenova charges and held a hearing. In his final report, Mr. Hoffa William H. Webster permanently barred Mr. Rumore from the IBT and IBT- affiliated entities on July 28, 2004, and on September 10, DATED: January 31, 2008 2004, the IRB notified Mr. Hoffa that it found the decision to be not inadequate.

I. INTRODUCTION This is the Independent Review Board’s (“IRB”) One III. PROGRESS OF EXISTING CHARGES Hundred and Sixth Report to you on its activities conducted pursuant to the Consent Order. In this Report, we will dis- A. DON HAHS - BLET HEADQUARTERS, cuss matters that have currently come before us, including CLEVELAND, OHIO action on prior IRB-recommended charges and the prog- We have previously informed you that Don Hahs, an ress of pending charges about which we have previously officer of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and informed you. Trainmen (BLET), a Division of the Teamsters Rail Con- ference, allegedly violated his fiduciary duties to the BLET and its members, embezzled and converted BLET funds and II. ACTION ON PRIOR IRB-RECOMMENDED property to his own use and the use of others, and brought CHARGES reproach upon the IBT while President of the BLET by embezzling over $58,000 from the BLET. A. WILLIAM T. HOGAN, JR. – FORMER General President Hoffa adopted and filed the charges PRESIDENT OF JOINT COUNCIL 25 AND and a panel was appointed to hear the charges against Mr. INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE Hahs. Prior to his scheduled hearing, Mr. Hahs signed an We have previously informed you that William T. Hogan, agreement which the IRB did not approve. The IBT subse- Jr., a former President of Joint Council 25 and an Interna- quently rescheduled the hearing for February 4, 2008. tional Representative, was charged with criminal contempt of the court-ordered Consent Decree. Among other things, B. GLENN TEOLIS - LOCAL 251, EAST the Consent Decree permanently bars all Union members PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND and officers from “knowingly associating” with any person In the last issue of the Teamster magazine we reported barred from participating in Union affairs. that Glenn Teolis, a Local 251 member and former Interna- It is alleged that even after Mr. Hogan was permanent- tional Project Coordinator, while a member of Local 251 and ly barred he nevertheless continued to knowingly associ- an employee of the IBT, allegedly brought reproach upon the ate with various Union members and officers on at least IBT, violated his fiduciary duties to the members, and embez- 150 occasions, in person and by telephone. In so doing zled IBT funds of $2,209 to his own use and the use of others; Mr. Hogan is charged with having aided and abetted those and while a member of Local 251 he failed to cooperate with members and officers in violating the Consent Decree, and the duties of the IRB by delaying his sworn examination and thereby acting in criminal contempt of the Consent Decree. then failing to appear for his scheduled examination. The matter is before Judge Preska. Mr. Hoffa filed the charges, a panel was appointed to hear the charges and a hearing was held on January 3, 2008. B. ANTHONY RUMORE – FORMER PRESIDENT On January 16, 2008, Mr. Hoffa issued his decision that Mr. OF LOCAL 812 AND JOINT COUNCIL 16 Teolis is permanently barred from holding membership and On December 18, 2007, the United States Attorney for seeking or holding office in the IBT. The IRB has the matter the Southern District of New York and the Deputy Assistant under consideration. Secretary of the United States Department of Labor, Office of Labor-Management Standards, announced the arrest of C. JAMES D. JACKSON – LOCAL 299, DETROIT, Anthony Rumore on charges stemming from the extortion MICHIGAN of personal services from Local 812 employees over a period We have previously informed you that James D. Jack-

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son, a member of Local 299, allegedly brought reproach Hoffa and Mr. Keegel notified Mr. Gillen that the General upon the IBT and violated his membership oath when from Executive Board, by a two-thirds vote of the uninvolved July 26, 2001 to January 19, 2006, while an IBT member, he members hearing the charges, adopted the recommenda- had knowing and purposeful contact with Michael C. Bane, tions of the hearing panel which were that he be barred who had been permanently barred from the IBT on July 17, from holding office for five years and from membership in 2001. General President Hoffa adopted the charge, a panel the IBT for three years. was appointed to hear the charge against Mr. Jackson, and a The IRB found the decision to be not inadequate. After hearing was held on April 5, 2007. counsel for Mr. Gillen advised the IRB that they wished to On May 23, 2007, Mr. Hoffa permanently barred Mr. file an appeal with Judge Preska, the IRB made Application Jackson from the IBT or any other IBT-affiliated entity or 128 to Judge Preska. Counsel for Mr. Gillen, by letter of Fund, from participating in the affairs of the IBT, and from January 7, 2008, requested that Judge Preska allow him to contact and association with officers, members, employees, issue his papers by February 8, 2008. representatives and agents of the IBT or any other IBT-affil- iated entity or Fund. F. JOHN CLANCY – LOCAL 705, CHICAGO, On September 11, 2007, the IRB notified Mr. Hoffa, Mr. ILLINOIS Jackson and counsel for Mr. Jackson that it found the IBT In the last issue of the Teamster magazine we reported decision to be not inadequate. When counsel for Mr. Jackson that John Clancy, International Organizer and member of advised the IRB that they wished to file an appeal to the dis- Local 705, allegedly brought reproach upon the IBT and trict court, the IRB made Application 129 to Judge Preska. By violated his membership oath by, subsequent to Dane Pas- letter of January 4, 2008, counsel for Mr. Jackson filed with so’s permanent bar from the IBT on May 29, 2002, having the court his objections to IRB’s Application 129. knowing and purposeful contact with Mr. Passo. On Octo- ber 29, 2007, Mr. Hoffa notified the IRB that he adopted D. JOSEPH PIRRO - LOCAL 456, ELMSFORD, and filed the charge. A panel was appointed to hear the NEW YORK charge and the hearing scheduled for December 18, 2007, We have previously informed you that Joseph Pirro, a was canceled when Mr. Clancy signed an agreement in member of Local 456, allegedly brought reproach upon which he agreed to be barred from the IBT for 10 years. On the IBT and violated his membership oath when he, from January 22, 2008, the IRB notified the IBT that it should at least 2003 to approximately January 2005, knowingly clarify whether the proposed agreement includes a suspen- associated with Gregory DePalma, a member of organized sion from membership. crime. Mr. Hoffa filed the charge against Mr. Pirro and referred the matter back to the IRB for a hearing. The IRB G. ROBERT A. HOGAN - LOCAL 714, BERWYN, held a hearing and on June 28, 2007, issued its decision ILLINOIS that the charge against Mr. Pirro was proved and that Mr. We have previously informed you that Robert A. Pirro has been permanently barred from the IBT. By way Hogan, Joint Council 25 Vice President and Local 714 Sec- of Application 127, the IRB’s decision was forwarded to the retary-Treasurer, allegedly brought reproach upon the IBT, District Court for review. By Order of December 26, 2007, breached his fiduciary duties and interfered with the union’s Judge Preska granted IRB’s Application 127. legal obligation to comply with the March 14, 1989 Con- sent Order when he failed to act appropriately after he cre- E. FRANCIS J. GILLEN – LOCAL 500, ated a situation likely to result in a violation of the Consent PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA Order when he rehired Robert Riley to work at Local 714 We have previously informed you that Francis (Frank) J. and failed to take any action to prevent, and, after learn- Gillen allegedly brought reproach upon the IBT and failed ing, to address Mr. Riley’s ongoing contact with William T. to cooperate with the IRB while International Vice Presi- Hogan, Jr., a prohibited person under the Consent Order. dent, Joint Council 53 President, Pennsylvania Conference On September 12, 2007, General President Hoffa adopt- of Teamsters President and Local 500 President, when dur- ed and filed the charge and a panel was appointed to hear ing his sworn examination on February 1, 2007, he gave the charge against Robert A. Hogan. A hearing was held on intentionally false testimony concerning his association with November 28, 2007. permanently barred member Thomas Ryan. In his sworn On December 11, 2007, Mr. Hoffa issued his decision testimony he lied about his numerous contacts with Ryan that Mr. Hogan be suspended from office in Local 714 for after Ryan was barred. six months. On January 23, 2008, the IRB notified Mr. Mr. Hoffa adopted the charges, a panel was appointed Hoffa that it found the December 11, 2007, decision to to hear the proposed charges against Mr. Gillen, and a hear- be inadequate both as to the fact finding and the sanction ing was held on July 11, 2007. On August 3, 2007, Mr. imposed.

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H. LOCAL 714 - BERWYN, ILLINOIS K. ROBERT D’ANGELO - LOCAL 813, LONG We have previously informed you that the IRB rec- ISLAND CITY, NEW YORK ommended to General President Hoffa that Local 714 be We have previously informed you that the IRB issued placed in trusteeship. The report concluded that the Local an Investigative Report to General President Hoffa who is being conducted in a manner to jeopardize the interests of adopted and filed the charges against Local 813 member the Local, the Local is not being run for the benefit of the Robert D’Angelo for knowingly associating with members members, and at five Local 714 employers the Local failed of organized crime. He then referred the charges back to the to perform duties of a bargaining representative. The report IRB for a hearing which was held by the IRB. On October further concluded that Local 714 principal officer Robert 19, 2006, the IRB issued its decision permanently barring A. Hogan and President James M. Hogan jeopardized the Mr. D’Angelo from Local 813 and the IBT. By order of Local’s interests by failing to monitor, investigate and take December 26, 2007, Judge Preska affirmed the IRB’s deci- appropriate action regarding the likelihood of Robert Riley’s sion and granted its Application 124 to the Court. violation of the Consent Order by continuing his lifelong, close relationship with William T. Hogan, Jr. after hiring IV. TOLL-FREE HOTLINE Mr. Riley following William T. Hogan, Jr. being barred from Since our last report to you, the hotline has received the union. By their conduct, Robert and James Hogan put approximately 95 calls reporting alleged improprieties. As the interests of William T. Hogan, Jr. and family friend Mr. in the past, all calls which appeared to fall within IRB juris- Riley above the interests of the Local which required that diction were referred for investigation. Activities which the Local and its employees comply with the Consent Order should be reported for investigation include, but are not which prohibited IBT members from knowingly associating limited to, association with organized crime, corruption, with a barred person such as William T. Hogan, Jr. racketeering, embezzlement, extortion, assault, or failure to In addition, by failing to perform the duties of a collec- investigate any of these. tive bargaining representative at five companies, there were To assure that all calls are treated confidentially, the sys- non-union workers performing bargaining unit work. The tem recording hotline calls is located in a cipher-locked IRB Local acquiesced in the employers’ use of the non-union room on a dedicated line and accessed by IRB staff only. It workers for whom no dues were paid to the Local and no is not manned by an investigator; however, the recorded employer benefit fund contributions were made. information if complete and within IRB jurisdiction is for- In lieu of establishing a trusteeship, Mr. Hoffa appointed warded directly to the Investigations Office. a Personal Representative who is responsible for reviewing Please continue to use the toll-free hotline to report all Local Union matters requiring Executive Board approv- improprieties which fall within IRB jurisdiction by calling al. On December 21, 2007, Mr. Hoffa appointed a hearing 1-800-CALL-IRB (1-800-225-5472). If you are calling from panel to determine whether a trusteeship should be imposed. within Washington, DC, dial 202-434-8085. A hearing scheduled for January 29, 2008, will be continued in approximately two months. V. CONCLUSION As always, our task is to ensure that the goals of the I. CASSANDRA MOSELY – LOCAL 743, Consent Order are fulfilled. In doing so, it is our desire to CHICAGO, ILLINOIS keep the IBT membership fully informed about our activities In the last issue of the Teamster magazine we reported through these reports and also through use of the website at that Local 743 member Cassandra Mosley allegedly brought www.irbcases.org. reproach upon the IBT by failing to appear for her sched- If you have any information concerning allegations of uled in-person sworn examination. After Mr. Hoffa took wrongdoing or corruption, you may call the toll-free hotline jurisdiction over the charge, a hearing panel was appointed. noted above, use the IRB facsimile number 202-434-8084, On January 14, 2008, a hearing was held. or write to either the IRB Chief Investigator or the IRB office:

J. MARK JONES – LOCAL 743, CHICAGO, Charles M. Carberry, Chief Investigator ILLINOIS 17 Battery Place, Suite 331 In the last issue of the Teamster magazine we reported New York, NY 10004 that Local 743 organizer Mark Jones, while a member of Local 743 and the IBT, allegedly brought reproach upon the Independent Review Board IBT by failing to appear for his scheduled in-person sworn 444 North Capitol Street, N.W. examination. After Mr. Hoffa took jurisdiction over the Suite 528 charge, a hearing panel was appointed. On January 14, Washington, DC 20001 2008, a hearing was held.

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uring his all-too-short lifetime, Dr. King was assassinated, he delivered a campaigns waged by the Teamsters Union. Martin Luther King Jr. worked tire- speech in support of the striking sanita- When a worker’s rights are trampled on, %lessly for equality. The Teamsters tion workers in Memphis. In that speech, the Teamsters Union tries to make sure it Union celebrates that legacy. he said, “We’ve got to give ourselves to this will never happen to them again through “The labor movement is a logical heir struggle until the end. Nothing would be collective bargaining,” Hoffa said. to accomplish what Dr. King fought for his more tragic than to stop at this point,” Dr. An example of how hard the Teamsters entire life,” said Jim Hoffa, Teamsters Gen- King said. “We’ve got to see it through. And Union will work to right the wrongs of eral President. “He worked closely with when we have our march, you need to be unscrupulous employers is evident in the labor unions throughout his career and there. Be concerned about your brother. union’s handling of UPS Freight, formerly was, in fact, assassinated while supporting You may not be on strike. But either we go known as Overnite Transportation. the rights of striking sanitation workers in up together, or we go down together.” Memphis, Tennessee in 1968.” “The basics of what Dr. King fought so Memphis Teamsters On April 3, 1968, the day before Dr. hard for are evident in most organizing In Memphis recently, a majority of the 411 workers at the UPS Freight terminal signed authorization cards to become Teamsters. “One of the UPS Freight workers had these shirts made up that say ‘I Am A Man,’” said Charles “Hollywood” Watkins, an International Union Organizer who worked at Overnite for 10 years. “It means the same now as it did when the striking Memphis sanitation workers used the slo- gan in 1968. We’re just trying to get what’s right for these workers. They’re not just a piece of machinery. They’re people.” In talking about the civil rights move- ment, King once said, “Our needs are identical with labor’s needs: Decent wages, fair working conditions, livable housing, old-age security, health and welfare mea- sures, conditions in which families can grow, have education for their children, and respect in the community.”

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You can help build Teamster political power by joining the thousands of Teamsters who already contribute to DRIVE.

By joining DRIVE (Democrat, Republican, Independent Voter Education), the Teamsters Union’s political action committee, you are supporting grassroots action by Teamster families to fight for legislative action to help working Americans. DRIVE has given the Teamsters clout in Washington to help pass legislation in the House of Representatives that will make it easier for workers to join a union, and is actively fighting for legislation to protect your pension and health care benefits. Politicians supported by DRIVE contribu- tions voted to keep unsafe Mexican trucks off American highways, blocked changes to hours-of-service rules that would force drivers to work longer hours, and stopped American ports from being sold to foreigners.

Find out more about this exciting program by talking to your local union, or on the web at www.teamster.org/drive