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JAMES R. HOFFA’S 100TH BIRTHDAY INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS WINTER 2013

www.teamster.org

THE WAR ON WORKERS FIGHTING BACK MOVES TO 74432_Layout 1 1/25/13 8:50 PM Page 2

IN THIS ISSUE 2 TEAMSTER NEWS 8 War On Workers • UPS, UPS Freight Moves To Michigan Negotiations Conservatives Ram Right To Work • James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Winners Through Legislature • Local 100 Victories 10 Teamsters Help • Remembering Tommy Re-Elect Obama O’Donnell • “Tomatoland” Book Review Union’s Largest GOTV Effort Leads To Victories 8 • Raising Spirits At Local 174 12 Teamsters Elected 20 ORGANIZING • Genesys Workers Join To Office Teamsters Members Who Won Their Elections • Local 777 Welcomes 14 State Legislative Victories Bus Drivers • Allegiant Air Workers California And Colorado Teamsters Win Join Local 986 16 School Bus Movement • Teamsters Welcome Roesel-Heck Workers Teamster School Bus Workers Make History • Clean Harbors Workers 10 Join Teamsters 22 After The Storm • Local 170 Welcomes Teamsters Key In Hurricane First Student Workers Sandy Recovery • New Hampshire Correc- tions Workers Join Union 26 A New Standard More Than 300 Parking 30 COURT MATERIAL Workers Join Local 25 28 Teamsters Celebrate TEAMSTER James R. Hoffa Centennial www.teamster.org International Brotherhood Visionary Labor Leader Born of Teamsters 16 25 Louisiana Avenue, NW 100 Years Ago Washington DC 20001-2198 202-624-6800

The Teamster (ISSN 1083-2394) is the official publication of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, 25 Louisiana Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20001-2198. It 28 is published four times a year. Periodical postage paid at Washington, DC and at additional mailing offices.

WINTER 2013 / VOLUME 110, NO. 1

© 2013 International Brotherhood of Teamsters. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Teamster, Affiliates Records Department, 25 Louisiana Avenue, NW, 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.

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Sore Losers’ Vendetta of Political Payback A MESSAGE FROM GENERAL PRESIDENT JAMES P. HOFFA

he war on workers is alive and well. The reelection the-vote drive. Republicans lost by 10 points in Michi- of President Barack Obama was a blow to those gan, Romney’s childhood home. Twaging the war, but as we watched the events in After suffering a humiliating defeat in a presidential Michigan recently unfold, it is clear that anti-worker election they thought was all but theirs, extremist factions will stop at nothing until all the power is in the Republicans decided to take out their frustration on hand of CEOs. Michigan labor. This was not a random target. It was Extremist billionaires have achieved what seemed organized labor that made the difference in , Wis- unthinkable only a few years ago. They rapidly forced consin and Michigan, decisively winning those states through union-busting laws in Michigan, the birthplace for President Obama. of the modern American labor movement. The passage The right-wing elite know they cannot win without of right-to-work-for-less in Michigan wasn’t driven by destroying unions. That’s why they are willing to spend the desire to grow jobs or boost the state’s economy. It so much money funding the war on workers. will do neither. The record on these laws in other states is But Teamsters aren’t fooled. We know the value of a clear. Right to work leads to lower wages, fewer benefits, contract and organizing new members and we recognize increased poverty, more dangerous workplaces and have when they are trying to take our rights away from us. no credible effect on job growth. They can cloak it in a deceitful name, but we aren’t The forces that rammed the union-busting law fooled. Right-to-work laws mean fewer benefits and less through the Michigan Legislature had one thing in money. A Teamster contract means better benefits, wages mind: political payback. Since 2008, $18 million was and job security. It always has. spent in Michigan on propaganda deriding collective , 2013, is the 100th anniversary of the bargaining by the Koch brothers through their phony birth of my father, James R. “Jimmy” Hoffa. Through front group, Americans for Prosperity, and by Amway his hard work and Teamster contracts, hundreds of heir Dick DeVos through the Mackinac Center. Karl thousands of Americans joined the middle class. He was- Rove’s American Crossroads SuperPAC and casino n’t duped by right to work. As Teamsters, we shouldn’t mogul Sheldon Adelson joined the attack on Michigan’s be duped, either. middle class by pouring money into the state on behalf of Mitt Romney. While Republicans spent millions in Michigan alone, their money was no match for labor’s massive get-out- 74432_Layout 1 1/25/13 8:51 PM Page 4

UPS, UPS FREIGHT NEGOTIATIONS FOCUS TEAMSTER POWER AT THE TABLE

ON PROTECTING HEALTH CARE, PENSIONS

GENERAL EXECUTIVE BOARD

James P. Hoffa VICE PRESIDENTS Fredrick Potter TEAMSTERS CENTRAL REGION EASTERN REGION SOUTHERN REGION WESTERN REGION TRUSTEES General President AT-LARGE 3400 Highway 35 CANADA Brian Buhle William Hamilton Tyson Johnson Randy Cammack Ron Herrera 25 Louisiana Ave. N.W. Rome Aloise Executive Plaza, Suite 7 Robert Bouvier, 1233 Shelby St. 2845 Southampton Rd. 1007 Jonelle St. 845 Oak Park Rd. 880 Oak Park Rd., Washington, D.C. 20001 2100 Merced St., Hazlet, N.J 07730 President , IN 46203 Philadelphia, PA 19154 Dallas, TX 75217 Covina, CA 91724 Suite 200 Suite B Teamsters Canada Covina, CA 91724 Ken Hall San Leandro, CA 94577 Fred Simpson 2540 Daniel Johnson, John Coli Dan Kane Sr. Ken Wood Rick Middleton General Secretary- 41475 Gardenbrook Road Suite 804 1300 W. Higgins #220 1308 Pierce St. 5818 E. MLK Jr. Blvd. 460 Carson Plaza Dr. Jim Kabell Treasurer Ferline Buie Novi, Michigan 48375 Laval, Quebec Park Ridge, IL 60068 Rahway, N.J. 07065 Tampa, FL 33619 Carson, CA 90746 1850 E. Division 25 Louisiana Ave. N.W. 2120 Bladensburg Canada H7T 2S3 Springfield, MO 65803 Washington, D.C. 20001 Rd. N.E. George Tedeschi Becky Strzechowski John Murphy Steve Vairma Washington, D.C. 20018 25 Louisiana Ave. N.W. Stan Hennessy 1300 W. Higgins, 348 D St. 10 Lakeside Lane, Kevin Moore Washington, D.C. 20001 1 Grosvenor Square Suite 301 Boston, MA 02127 Suite 3-A 2741 Trumbull Ave. George Miranda Delta, B.C. Park Ridge, IL 60068 Denver, CO 80212 , MI 48216 110 Wall St., 3rd Floor Canada V3M 5S1 Sean M. O’Brien New York, N.Y. 10005 Gordon Sweeton 544 Main St. Craig McInnes P.O. Box 99 Boston, MA 02129 Al Mixon 275 Matheson Blvd. E. Saginaw, MO 64864 5425 Warner Rd., Unit 7 Mississauga, Ontario Cleveland, OH 44125 Canada L4Z 1X8

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rotecting health care and pensions, become more difficult as they continue to preventing subcontracting and talk about the serious priority issues for UPS Pending supervisor harassment are and UPS Freight Teamsters. priorities that the UPS and UPS Freight “There is a lot at stake with these con- National Negotiating Committees are tracts,” said International Trustee Ron Her- fighting for as negotiations resume. rera, also on the negotiating committee. “UPS and UPS Freight are successful “Everything hinges on member solidarity.” companies which, thanks to the hard work UPS has continually complained about of Teamsters, have weathered the recession health care costs at the bargaining table and in good shape,” said General Secretary- the company has notified retirees participat- Treasurer Ken Hall, Package Division ing in company plans that their share will rise Director, Co-Chair of the negotiating by as much as 10 times beginning in August. committees and lead negotiator. “Teamsters “This is unacceptable,” Hall said. “We will should share in that success.” not let the company put the entire burden NEGOTIATIONS The UPS contract is the largest collective on the backs of retirees.” bargaining agreement in the country, and all Unfortunately, negotiators also expect RAMP UP eyes are watching developments, including UPS to propose that Teamsters pay a sub- Wall Street analysts, CEOs, politicians and stantial portion of their monthly premiums Goal To Reach Tentative others. The contracts cover about 250,000 for health insurance. Hall said negotiators Agreements By March 31 Teamsters. The current five-year agreements will also fight any attempt by the company expire July 31. Preparations for negotiations to raise the cost of health care for actives. took place for much of last year and in- Hall and Hoffa also put the company on egotiations for UPS and UPS cluded surveys to UPS and UPS Freight notice that no tentative agreement would be Freight contracts have been tak- members and member focus groups. reached with UPS until supervisor harass- Ning place since last September, The first meeting held to prepare for ne- ment is addressed and there is consensus on with a goal for tentative agreements gotiations involved both UPS and UPS restrictions on the use of the U.S. Postal to be reached by March 31. The current Freight Teamsters from all over the country Service. And at UPS Freight, there will be no five-year contracts both expire who perform various jobs at both compa- agreement without addressing subcontract- on July 31. nies, including package delivery drivers, ing, they said. Negotiations opened early, trig- feeder drivers, loaders, unloaders and sorters “We will not tolerate UPS Freight sub- gered by the company’s strong finan- at UPS, as well as road drivers, city drivers, contracting our work,” Hall said. “Until this cial performance and record profits. dockworkers and clerks at UPS Freight. issue is resolved, this contract will not be re- Early negotiations should mean tenta- Both Hall and General President Jim solved either.” tive agreements will be reached early Hoffa attended the meetings, as did other An arbitrator recently denied a grievance as well, with a goal set for March 31 General Executive Board members and filed by Local 745 when UPS Freight used by the UPS and UPS Freight National union staff to make sure that members’ pri- subcontractors between Dallas-area termi- Negotiating Committees. orities were understood and recognized. nals and other cities when there was return “Early negotiations last time “We’ve assembled a great team and you freight to the Dallas area. The grievance had allowed us to reach early tentative can expect that all of the strength, power deadlocked at the National Panel, and the agreements,” General Secretary-Trea- and resources of the Teamsters Union are union filed for arbitration. The arbitrator surer Ken Hall said. “That allowed our focused on winning strong new contracts held three full days of hearings. The union members to be protected from the severe for our members at UPS and UPS Freight,” put on a strong case and is extremely disap- financial recession that followed.” said Hoffa, Co-Chair of the negotiating pointed in the arbitrator’s decision. Below are the dates and locations committees. “We disagree with much of the reasoning for the National UPS Negotiations “We know from listening closely to our in the decision and feel strongly that the com- currently scheduled through March. members that that protecting pensions and pany violated the collective bargaining agree- Additional locations and dates will be health care are top concerns, along with ment,” Hall said. “Fortunately, we received the added as needed. strong wages and more full-time jobs,” said decision during negotiations and we will ad- International Vice President Ken Wood, who dress the issue at the bargaining table.” February 25-28: Clearwater Beach, Fla. sits on the negotiating committee. International Vice President Brian Buhle March 4-7: Clearwater Beach, Fla. Supplemental negotiations also are occur- said UPS Freight negotiations have focused ring and progress is being made at the table, so far on non-economic issues, where March 11-14, 18-21 and 25-28: said International Vice President Sean progress is being made. O’Brien, who is on the negotiating committee “We look forward to concluding these is- For more information, visit and heading up supplemental negotiations. sues and moving onto the economic-related www.teamster.org/ups. “We are fighting hard at the table so our proposals that are most important to our members get their fair share,” O’Brien said. members, including the issue of subcon- But Teamster negotiators cautioned that tracting,” said Buhle, who sits on the negoti- while negotiations are progressing, they will ating committee. www.teamster.org | WINTER 2013 | TEAMSTER 3 74432_Layout 1 1/28/13 5:26 PM Page 6

TEAMSTER NEWS

Local 100 Caps Off Year with Two Organizing Victories

Trucking Company KRD Trucking, Petermann Bus Co. Join Union

ocal 100 in Cincinnati welcomed two 28 workers are now looking forward to enough was enough.” new units into the union recently, working with their business agent, Dave When the vote was held this time on Lsuccessfully organizing solid waste and Hibbard, and Local 100 President Butch October 25, there was little doubt about recycling drivers, loaders and mechanics Lewis to secure a first contract. the result as the group overwhelmingly at KRD Trucking and private school bus voted 39-16 to join Local 100. Swartz felt drivers, aides and mechanics at Petermann Second Try’s the Charm that their choice was clear. Bus Co. in Middletown, Ohio. Last year, school bus driver Linda Swartz “I think the Teamsters are our best Workers at KRD Trucking approached knew that joining the Teamsters was the partners because of their experience in the Local 100 in July after their concerns were only way she and the other 57 drivers, aides industry and when they tell us something, ignored by management. Driver Nash and mechanics at Petermann Bus Co. were I know it’s the truth,” Swartz said. “We have Poindexter felt that no matter how hard going to win respect on the job. She led a good relationship founded on trust. I’m they tried, the company was unwilling to the charge to unionize in 2011, but the glad we have the union, they are our only discuss issues like fair pay, consistent work vote fell short by a single vote after the hope for fairness on the job.” hours and safety on the job. company promised to make changes at Lewis, who described the group as “The company would make up our the 11th hour. “fun and feisty,” worked with business hours on the fly and you’d never know when However, a year later little had changed agent Tim Montgomery to make sure that you would be working or what you could at the company and Swartz was convinced this time, the group at Petermann got the anticipate being paid,” Poindexter said. “It it never would unless she and her co-work- representation they deserved. makes it so difficult to plan for the future.” ers took action. “Organizing great people like those at Poindexter, who is on the negotiating “I felt like after the first vote the com- KDR and Petermann is what motivates our committee, said that it only took a month pany didn’t follow through on their prom- entire staff to work hard every minute of and a half to get his fellow workers to sign ises to make things better,” Swartz said. “As every day,” Lewis said. “I am proud that cards and move forward with a vote. On soon as the time passed, we decided that it these workers decided to take charge of Oct. 17, the unit sent KRD Trucking a clear was time for a union—and everyone their future by organizing so they can fight message, voting 16-8 to join Local 100. The agreed this time around. We decided for respect on the job.”

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2012-2013 JAMES R. HOFFA MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Learning toLEAD

he memory of former Teamsters General President James R. Hoffa Tis honored each year when deserv- ing students across the country apply for and are awarded scholarships through a fund bearing his name. Established in 1999, the James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund ensures that the best and brightest students who are the children or grandchildren of Team- sters can attend college.

$10,000 Scholarship Winners

CANADIAN REGION Matthew Emig, West Grove, Pa., Local 701 Kerri Heidemann, Calgary, Alberta, Local 362 Brian Geiger, Brielle, N.J., Local 115 Alfred Jeffrey, North Vancouver, Lauren Haynes, Pratts, Va., Local 633 British Columbia, Local 362 Jonathan Hoh, Lititz, Pa., Local 61 Brooke Malinoski, Melville, Saskatchewan, Local 764 Hayley Price, Drums, Pa., GCC Local 735-S Brintha Sivajohan, Mississauga, Ontario, Local 938 Jaclyn Rambarran, Charlton, Mass., Local 170 Cassandra Sullivan, Melville, Saskatchewan, Local 764 SOUTHERN REGION CENTRAL REGION Robert Clever, Beddas, Texas, Local 19 Jenna Christofersen, Blaine, Minn., Local 289 Justine Giles, Naples, Fla., Local 79 Carlie Derouin, Rochester, Minn., Local 320 Jennifer Green, Southwest Ranches, Fla., Local 769 Emily Gerst, Waterloo, Iowa, Local 238 Caitlin Henley, Olive Branch, Miss., Local 667 Barrett Greenwell, Bardstown, Ky., Local 89 Seth Johnson, Adairsville, Ga., Local 528 Jeremy Herbert, Olmsted Township, Ohio, Local 2727 WESTERN REGION Andrew King, St. Paul, Minn., Local 320 Tsai Cheah, Alhambra, Calif., Local 572 Scott Miller, Louisville, Ky., Local 89 Andrew Dobbins, Santa Rosa, Calif., Local 856 Forrest Miller, Rosemount, Minn., Local 120 Mihail Eric, Van Nuys, Calif., Local 572 Manuel Franco, Avondale, Ariz., Local 104 EASTERN REGION Remy Fuentes, Santa Rosa, Calif., Local 856 Sanju Bose, New City, N.Y., Local 237 Blake Studiner, Laurel, Mont., Local 190

For more information or to see the $1,000 scholarship winners, visit www.teamster.org. 74432_Layout 1 1/25/13 8:51 PM Page 8

TEAMSTER NEWS

“TomaToland” Barry Estabrook, Tomatoland: How Modern Industrial Agriculture Destroyed Our Most Alluring Fruit (Kansas City: Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC, 2011, 2012) Food writer Barry Estabrook began his research with a simple question: Why do so many tomatoes lack taste and nutrition? Some $5 billion worth of “perfectly round, perfectly red, and, in the opinion of many consumers, perfectly tasteless” tomatoes found their way into Americans’ sandwiches, In Memoriam salads and other dishes in 2009. Why “can’t we walk into a supermarket in December Teamsters Mourn Loss of and buy the tomato of our dreams?” he asks. The answer, he learns, lies in the world of corporate agriculture in Thomas O’Donnell . The Florida Tomato Committee, an influential trade group, regu- lates the size and shape of the tomatoes produced in that state. While Es- tabrook attends at length to the genetics, breeding and history of tomatoes, eamsters recently lost one of their top a central thrust of his book centers on industrial and labor relations in the retired leaders when Thomas R. O’Donnell agribusiness sector. The picture he paints can only be described as disturb- Tpassed away. His career spanned more ing and depressing. than 60 years and his impact is still being Florida, as Estabrook shows, is hardly a natural place to grow tomatoes, felt today. with sandy soil without nutrients, unpredictable and damaging weather, and O’Donnell is considered one of the most an overabundance of fungal diseases and threatening insects. To make mat- influential men to ever work in the television ters worse, Mexican competition exerts heavy pressure on profit margins. and motion picture industry. However, his Growers also protect profit margins by squeezing their work force, true legacy may lay with the scholarship pro- composed largely of Hispanic migrants. The hiring and management of gram he launched in 1965 that pays for the labor has long been subcontracted to crew bosses, allowing corporate college tuition and board of every child of farmers “to avoid direct responsibility for day-to-day abuses.” Local 817 members. Those abuses, Estabrook shows, can be horrific. Crew bosses often “When it came to the members, my father house their migrant workers in substandard and even subhuman facilities. always believed in reaching for the stars,” said “Day in and day out,” farmworkers enter “poisoned fields and expose son Thomas J. O’Donnell, President of Local themselves to a witch’s brew of toxic chemicals.” And the subcontracting 817 in Lake Success, N.Y., during an event last system has resurrected a particular heinous form of labor—slavery—in year honoring O’Donnell. “And it was some- which migrants are beaten, imprisoned and essentially enslaved, forcibly where amongst the stars that he came up with prevented from fleeing through sheer violence. Wage rates for up to 12 the novel concept of sending the members’ hours of backbreaking labor allow migrant fieldworkers to bring home kids to college for free.” less than $12,000 a year. “Teamsters everywhere, especially those in the Given this state of affairs, it’s not hard to guess that migrant farm work- Motion Picture and Theatrical Trade Division, ers constitute a nonunion labor force. The landmark National Labor Rela- mourn the passing of a great Teamster leader,” tions Act of 1935, which affirmed workers’ right to organize and afforded said Jim Hoffa, Teamsters General President. legal protections of that right, specifically exempted agricultural workers Over his 62-year career as a Teamster, from its coverage (a condition of its passage imposed by Southern con- O’Donnell spent 50 years as the head of Theatri- gressmen invested in cheap farm labor and the Jim Crow racial system). cal Teamsters Local 817, served as Director of Answering his question about why contemporary tomatoes lack taste the Teamsters Motion Picture and Theatrical required Estabrook to enter the world of industrial agriculture, where Trade Division and was elected to two terms as he discovered the “tremendous human cost” of tomato production. A an International Vice President At-Large. moving, unsettling and, at times, uplifting book, “Tomatoland” is a highly engaging, fast-paced and informative exposé in the best muckraking journalistic tradition.

By Eric Arnesen, who teaches labor history at The George Washington University and serves as a member of the Teamsters Labor History Research Center Advisory Board. For the complete review, visit www.teamster.org. 6 TEAMSTER | WINTER 2013 | www.teamster.org 74432_Layout 1 1/25/13 8:51 PM Page 9

Raising spiRits Local 174 Racks Up Organizing and Contract Wins

ocal 174 is on a winning streak, scor- The 17 workers joined roughly 150 other ing organizing victories and CleanScapes/StreetScapes collection L negotiating solid contracts at workers who have been members of the warehouse and sanitation companies in local since 2009 and won a strong con- Washington state. The local organized tract last year. more than 150 workers at Southern Wine “The workers were emotional when and Spirits back in August and had two they ratified the agreement,” said Ken more victories at CleanScapes/StreetScapes Marshall, Local 174 Vice President. “They and Waste Management in . couldn’t believe that they no longer have At Southern Wine and Spirits, Local 174 to choose which of their children to cover negotiated a card-check neutrality agree- with health insurance—now they have the ment with the help of International Vice great knowing that we have the strength opportunity for all of their family mem- President and President of Joint Council 7, and power of the Teamsters Union looking bers to enjoy coverage.” Rome Aloise. A third-party arbitrator certi- out for us. And the fact that we were able The new contract for CleanScapes/ fied that a majority of warehouse workers to do it without going through an election StreetScapes workers includes significant signed cards, making Local 174 the official fight makes me even prouder as a Team- health and welfare improvements, wage bargaining agent of the workers. ster,” said Jean Casseus, a Southern Wine increases and other added benefits over the “This was an important organizing vic- and Spirits worker who was active in the three years of the contract. tory for us and it shows why we have been card-signing effort. Local 174 also organized 11 Waste Man- pursuing this model,” said Rick Hicks, Secre- The Teamsters represent more than agement dispatchers and is in the process of tary-Treasurer of Local 174. “Everyone wins 2,000 warehouse workers at Southern scheduling negotiations for a first agree- when management steps back and lets the Wine and Spirits of America, the nation’s ment. Despite the company’s anti-union workers decide for themselves. Now these largest liquor distributor. campaign which included mandatory meet- workers will have the strength of Teamster ings and film screenings, the workers voted representation that Southern Wine and Other Victories 9-2 in favor of Teamster representation. Spirits employees in other states enjoy.” Another victory for Local 174 came last “We knew what to expect from the com- Hicks credited Aloise and his skilled ne- summer when a newly organized group pany and our organizers were one step gotiating for winning the neutrality agree- of janitorial workers ratified their first ahead of them at all times,” Marshall said. ment at the company’s warehouse facility contract with CleanScapes/ StreetScapes, “We welcome Waste Management dispatch- in Tacoma, Wash. a company that provides solid waste collec- ers of Seattle and look forward to represent- “I am excited to be a Teamster. It feels tion and other cleaning services in Seattle. ing them at the bargaining table.”

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Conservatives Ram Right-to-Work WAR ON Through Legislature WORKERS MOVES TO MICHIGAN

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nions aren’t mourning right- Open Meetings Law Violated? hour-workday and child labor laws. Muse, to-work in Michigan. They’re Unions and supporters quickly mobilized, along with extremist millionaires from Uorganizing. organizing what would turn out to be the the North, also started a network of anti- A wave of shock and anger washed largest Capitol protest in history. It was worker front groups, which the Koch over Michigan’s working families when scheduled for the day the bill would pass. brothers ultimately took over. One of Gov. Rick Snyder suddenly rammed a Two lawsuits had already been filed those groups was the Christian American right-to-work-for-less bill through the challenging the laws’ legality. Detroit Association in Houston, which spear- Legislature in December. That soon gave activist Robert Davis and the Michigan headed anti-labor bills in state Legislatures way to resolve to overturn the anti-worker Education Association claimed Michigan’s while distributing anti-Semitic and anti- law and to punish the politicians who Open Meetings Act was violated because Catholic literature. voted for it. both chambers took action on the bills Union membership was increasing “We will fight this in the courts, in the while the Capitol was locked down. Other fast in Texas after the Wagner Act passed legislature and at the ballot box,” said legal challenges are likely. in 1935. That stopped in 1947, when a Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa. The bills include $1 million in appro- well-funded campaign led by the Chris- “This is not the end; it’s just the beginning.” priations, which means they cannot be tian American Association persuaded the The passage of the law in Michigan has repealed by referendum. But they can be legislature to enact right-to-work-for-less. long been the goal of CEOs and billion- overturned by a citizens’ initiative, which The racists and business leaders who aires who want more of workers’ income will require signatures equal to eight engineered the anti-union law in Texas for themselves. These laws weaken work- percent of the vote total for governor in set a precedent. They relied on smear ers’ rights, lower wages and make work- 2010 in order to get on the ballot. tactics and misleading propaganda, places more dangerous. Anti-worker extremists want to pass beginning with the name “right to work.” It’s part of a much bigger offensive more right-to-work-for-less laws in a bid “Right to work” confers no rights and against working people, according to Gen- to turn the Midwest into Mexico for provides no work. eral Secretary-Treasurer Ken Hall. “This is Canada. Other conservative governors ALEC, which brings together corpora- part of a well-funded, coordinated attack have said such laws are not on their tions and state lawmakers, drafted a on workers nationwide,” Hall said. “They agenda, but that’s what Snyder said. And model right-to-work-for-less bill 32 years are trying to throw middle-class jobs and an effort to collect enough signatures to ago. That’s the bill Michigan lawmakers pensions out like yesterday’s trash.” put right-to-work-for-less on the Novem- passed in December. There are now 24 ber ballot is already underway in Ohio. right-to-work-for-less states. Indiana Sneak Attack Hoffa predicted right-to-work-for-less passed the legislation in January 2012, Michigan’s billionaires wanted payback would tear Michigan apart. A historic day after Gov. Mitch Daniels had spent years, after their candidate, Mitt Romney, lost of action in Lansing proved him right, as like Snyder, pledging that he wouldn’t the state and the campaign for president. did the rallies and marches and flash mobs push it because it’s “too divisive.” It was now or never. Enough anti-worker that broke out all over the state. Hundreds Proponents of right-to-work are never lawmakers had lost or retired in Novem- of Michigan Teamsters marched to the honest about its impact. They claim it ber that right-to-work-for-less probably Capitol behind Hoffa on Dec. 11, the day will bring business to states, but that has wouldn’t pass in 2013. But there was still the bills passed. They were joined by been disproven over and over. The truth enough support to pass it in the 2012 brothers and sisters from Ohio, Illinois, about right-to-work is that it is a minor if lame-duck session. Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa and Pennsylva- nonexistent factor in attracting business, Unions knew the attack was coming. nia. In the days before and after the pas- according to the Economic Policy Insti- They tried to prevent it by putting a con- sage of right-to-work-for-less, Teamsters tute. EPI reports there is no relationship stitutional amendment on the November joined silent protests in Grand Rapids, between right-to-work laws and a state’s ballot. Millions, though, were spent to hand-billed in Marquette, marched in unemployment rate, per capita income or defeat it. Detroit and rallied in Troy. job growth. On Thursday, Dec. 6, Snyder an- Teamsters at all times remained peace- Right-to-work does, however, lower nounced he was reversing his position. ful, knowing that any disruption or vio- wages for both union and nonunion Two bills were railroaded through the lence would be used by billionaire-funded workers by an average of $1,500 less per Legislature over the angry protests of networks to smear union members. year. It threatens employment benefits and union supporters outside the chamber. workplace safety while increasing poverty One bill applied to private-sector work- A History of Racism and undermining education. ers, the other to public-sector workers, and Dishonesty That’s pretty much what Hoffa told the thousands of union supporters at the Dec. excluding police and firefighters. They Those smear tactics go back to the roots of 7 Day of Action in Lansing. He had a passed in 11 hours, with no committee the right-to-work movement in the early direct message for Gov. Rick Snyder: “We hearings, no public input and, during 1940s. It started with a racist lobbyist from found out that Snyder is for sale. Michi- part of the proceedings, behind locked Texas named Vance Muse, who lobbied gan’s not for sale! Governor, we’re going Statehouse doors despite a court order against women’s right to vote, the eight- that they be opened. to win this fight.”

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What Teamsters Did Tens of thousands of Teamsters volun- teered for the union’s massive member mobilization efforts. Hoffa and General Secretary-Treasurer Ken Hall barn- stormed key battleground states across the country, motivating Teamsters to vol- unteer and go to the polls for Obama. The Teamster Power 2012 program built on the strengths of previous cam- paigns and used new technologies to communicate with even more Teamsters at work and at home.

Teamster efforts included: • 400 Teamsters participated in the program full time • More than 500,000 worksite contacts; • 100,000 Teamster contacts through the national Teamsters phone bank; • 124 direct mail pieces developed and more than 3 million pieces of mail sent to Teamster members; • Hundreds of thousands of Teamsters TEAMSTERS MAKE contacted through additional phone programs; including state specific teleforums with General President A DIFFERENCE Hoffa and a national leadership call with Vice President Biden; and Union’s Largest GOTV Effort Helps Re-Elect President Obama • Social media outreach including text messaging notifications for volunteer opportunities, early vote programs Massive Program Leads to was aided by the International Brother- and voting reminders. Victories on Ballot Initiatives, hood of Teamsters’ largest political effort Additionally, Teamsters registered States and Federal Races ever. The Teamster Power 2012 program not only helped the president to victory, tens of thousands of new voters, con- Local 71 Teamster Michelle Little was but was instrumental in ballot initiative ducted precinct walks, canvassed neigh- given a once-in-a-lifetime opportu- victories in several states and the election borhoods, drove voters to the polls and nity…a chance to help in the reelection of pro-worker candidates at the state and countless other activities. of President Barack Obama. federal level. Living in North Carolina, Little knew “Working people proved something Teamsters in the Field both presidential campaigns would be mak- last night: When they fight, they can win Little was one of thousands of rank-and- ing an aggressive push to win the state. She against a corporate, anti-middle-class file members and Teamster leaders who realized what was on the line so, as a proud candidate, even after the Citizens’ United did all they could to re-elect Obama. Teamster who cares about other working decision,” said Jim Hoffa, General Presi- She’s a proud, motivated Teamster. families, she signed on to drive the Obama dent. “President Obama stood up for From the middle of September right up RV around the state. The RV was embla- working families during one of our nation’s to Election Day, Little drove the Obama zoned with campaign logos and informa- most difficult economic times. That’s RV around the state. She said the RV was tion on how to vote early. why he won wherever unions put their intended to get people hyped up about Little is one of thousands of Teamsters resources. I congratulate President Obama early voting and was also a reminder that across the country who volunteered their and Vice President Biden on their well- people could register to vote and early vote time and energy to re-elect the candidate best deserved victory, and our Teamster mem- at the same time. “It’s a big yard sign,” Little for the middle class, and best for the country. bers who worked tirelessly on their behalf.” said. President Barack Obama’s re-election

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Unfortunately, we live in an era where The highlight of the campaign was Hampshire, Missouri and Indiana they those who oppose President Obama will when First Lady Michelle Obama per- worked extremely hard to defeat anti- do all manner of crass behavior to voice sonally boarded the bus in Raleigh and worker extremists. their opposition, so the bus had to be gave it her stamp of approval. “Everyone “We didn’t win every election, but we parked at pre-determined “safe houses” was chanting, ‘Four more years, four made progress on behalf of the middle in neighborhoods where supporters live. more years,’” Little said. class with a renewed energy, focus and “We protect this RV as if it were our As the campaign came to a close, Lit- organization,” Hoffa said. “In Wisconsin home,” Little said. tle said she enjoyed her front-row view to and in Ohio especially, we helped put The excitement factor when Little pulled history. “This is how progress happens,” Obama over the top and won Senate the RV into a town or event was palpable. she said. “People get involved in the victories because of our experience in “Everyone comes up to the RV, they’re process and vote. I’m just glad I could be past battles. clapping their hands, taking pictures. Some a part of it.” “Now let us all come together and people even think they can vote on the RV. support the president in order to continue At stoplights, people roll down the win- Ending Gridlock to create good-paying jobs in America,” dows and give us a thumbs up. I pull up to Teamsters fought successfully against Hoffa continued. “The gridlock in Wash- the gas station and people run up to take Prop 32 in California, which would restrict ington must end. I call on the Republican pictures. We keep a computer with early union money in politics but exempted leadership to stop opposing efforts to vote information and plenty of literature billionaires. They also defeated the voter create jobs. Instead of trying to thwart on board so that we can always tell people suppression amendment in Minnesota. the president, I hope they will work to where to go vote early,” she said. In states such as Massachusetts, New find common ground.”

www.teamster.org | WINTER 2013 | TEAMSTER 11 74432_Layout 1 1/25/13 8:52 PM Page 14 TEAMSTERS ELECTED TO TEAMSTERS GOT PLENTY OF GOOD NEWS ON Election Day, but one of the bright spots was the six Teamsters elected to office around the country. In the war on workers, it has become increasingly clear that many politicians, particularly conservatives, don’t understand OFFICE what unions do. The Teamsters Union has been encouraging members to run for office to get some pro-worker voices in positions of power. The following Teamsters won their elections for state and national office.

RICK NOLAN, tection, for single-payer U.S. HOUSE OF universal health care, and REPRESENTA- for an end to the right wing TIVES FROM war on workers that in- MINNESOTA cludes ‘right to work for In one of the most hotly less,’” Nolan said. “I worked contested Congressional my way through college as a races in the U.S., former Teamster at UPS. This is my Teamster Rick Nolan de- union.” feated incumbent Republi- Nolan is now the repre- can (and Tea Partier) Chip sentative for Minnesota’s Cravaack. 8th District. He is a former “My commitment to [the three-term congressman Teamsters], and to all work- recognized for his battles on ing families, is to return to behalf of working families, Washington and lead the farmers, small businesses fight for the Employee Free and rural communities. Choice Act, for pension pro- STEVE BULLOCK, group of state attorneys MONTANA general in cracking down GOVERNOR on FedEx Ground’s illegal Steve Bullock, previously the misclassification of 13,000 Montana Attorney General, drivers, in addition to taking won his election to become on the Supreme Court’s governor of Montana. The controversial Citizen’s former labor attorney for United decision. Local 190, who was raised in As governor, Bullock said Helena, defeated former Re- he is committed to rebuilding publican Congressman Rick Montana’s manufacturing Hill in the race. base and creating good, Bullock led a bi-partisan middle-class jobs.

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CLINT ZWEIFEL, Zwifel, now 39, spent his first BOB BURNS, MISSOURI MISSOURI STATE term expanding Missouri’s STATE REPRESENTATIVE TREASURER small-business loan program, Retired Teamster Bob Burns won his race to repre- Clint Zweifel, who served as the managing the state’s invest- sent Missouri’s 93rd District in the state’s House of Education and Research Direc- ments and getting a rating of Representatives. Burns was a beer and tor at Local 688 in St. Louis, “excellent” from the state audi- member of Local 600 in St. Louis for 34 years. won reelection as Missouri’s tor, a Republican. In his second Burns defeated his Republican opposition with treasurer. term, he plans to continue in- 65 percent of the vote and he was sworn into office He was first elected to this of- vesting in small business and on January 9, 2013, in Jefferson City, Mo. fice in 2008 when he was 35, be- improving the Missouri entre- “My Teamster brothers and sisters in our state gave coming the state’s youngest preneurial environment. me a great deal of support,” Burns said after the elec- treasurer in more than a century. tion. “Everything I have I owe to the Teamsters.”

STEVE SODDERS, IOWA STATE SENATOR Steve Sodders was reelected to his position as state senator for Iowa’s District 22. Since then, he was chosen to be the Senate president pro-tem. Sodders is a deputy sheriff in Marshall County who has been working in law enforcement for 20 years. He’s actively involved in the Teamsters Law Enforce- ment League. He is a DARE instructor and has served as a detective on the Mid-Iowa Drug Task Force. He has also worked as a volunteer fire fighter and is active with the Iowa Rivers Red Cross. “It’s been a great experience working with the Teamsters Law Enforcement League,” Sodders said. “It’s given me leadership skills that helped me in DAVE HANSEN, former Green Bay Department the Iowa Senate.” WISCONSIN of Public Works employee and He and his wife, Carrie, have been married for 18 years. STATE SENATOR 20-year member of Wisconsin’s They live in State Center, Iowa with their two children. Dave Hansen has been a tireless Local 662. advocate for workers’ rights for “We’re going to work real decades and was just reelected hard in the next four years. It’s as a state senator in Wisconsin. not going to be easy, but it’s a Hansen was one of the fa- special time. The president get- mous “Fab 14” state senators ting elected, my election, and who left Wisconsin in 2011 in for all the people that didn’t a show of solidarity against vote for me, I’m going to keep Gov. Scott Walker’s attacks working for you too,” Hansen on collective bargaining and said during his victory speech. working families. He is also a

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Southern California held a huge kick-off event in April which drew more than 1,400 Teamsters from across Los Ange- les, Orange and San Diego counties. July saw Joint Council 7 in Northern Califor- nia rally more than 1,000 members about the dangers of Proposition 32. Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa barnstormed the state in October. Starting off in , Hoffa brought the crowd to a roar with his proclamation that Propo- sition 32 had to fail. “Proposition 32 is an attack on union workers by the same anti-union, corpo- rate special interests that have waged war against organized labor across the country since the beginning of 2011,” Hoffa said. “Everything that Prop. 32 represents must be defeated here and now. California is the front line of this battle.” Thwarting an Attack on Working Families “Prop. 32, at its core, was an attack on workers, plain and simple,” said Randy VICTORY IN Cammack, International Vice President and President of Joint Council 42. “Prop. 32 supporters disguised their legislation CALIFORNIA! as a ‘reform’ measure, but everyone from newspaper editorial boards to good-government groups all agreed TEAMSTER MEMBERS FROM all over Hobo entertained the crowd and speakers that Prop. 32 was not what it seemed,” California volunteered thousands of included politicians running for local of- said Rome Aloise, International Vice hours of their time to defeat anti-union fice. Eighteen-wheelers flanked the podium President and President of California’s legislation—and won. Proposition 32, a and hot dogs and hamburgers were served Joint Council 7. bill prohibiting unions from a voice in to the hungry crowd. With the support of Joint Council 7 politics while creating exemptions that Pushed under the guise of campaign fi- in San Francisco, Teamsters and other would give more power to corporate in- nance reform to “stop special interests,” labor unions did numerous precinct walks terests, had a bulls-eye on it ever since it Proposition 32 was specifically aimed at throughout Stockton and the surrounding was introduced in the state legislature. crippling unions while allowing corporate area for months in order to educate people Measures similar to Prop. 32 had been special interests to continue their free- about Prop. 32. Similar walks were under- brought up in the legislature twice be- wheeling spending through supers PACs. taken by local unions in Joint Council 42’s fore. Both times, they failed to pass. area of Southern California. “We fought back against Prop. 32,” Locals Step Up to the Plate Geraldine Coseip, a member of Local said Sam Rosas, Secretary-Treasurer of From the beginning of the election season, 439 and an employee of LePrino Foods Local 439 in Stockton. “It was written to local unions across California had rallied agreed, saying, “Prop. 32 would have limit the voice of union workers.” support to defeat this anti-union legislation paralyzed our ability to fight for work- Rosas brought together Teamster and re-elect President Barack Obama. The place safety. I count on the union to brothers and sisters from the five counties most successful voter registration drive in represent our interests in the state legis- his local union represents in the Central their history, locals registered more than lature and defeating Prop. 32 will help Valley and Stockton for a huge outdoor 23,000 new voters at numerous events. ensure that the union has the power it rally the night before the election. Rapper For example, Joint Council 42 in needs to get things done.”

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SERVING THE COMMUNITY Denver Teamsters Help Pass Measure Supporting Public Services, Jobs

VOTERS IN DENVER DRIVE,” the union’s political action fund. restore library hours that had been reduced recently approved a “With the help of Joint Council 3 and as a cost-cutting move.” ballot measure that DRIVE, we were one of the largest contrib- If it seems sensible that the city of frees up $68 million for utors to the ‘Yes on 2A’ effort. Now we Denver should be able to spend tax the city to spend on have a big seat at the table with the city revenue on public services, that’s because infrastructure, removing mandatory to represent our members.” it is. But since 1992, local governments furlough days affecting nearly 1,000 This victory by Local 17 shows why in the state have had to abide by a state- Teamster city workers. so many city workers have chosen to be mandated spending cap under the Tax- Called Measure 2A, this lets Denver represented by the Teamsters. While the payer Bill of Rights, or TABOR. spend tax money collected under the cur- local does not have a formal collective bar- The conservative-backed TABOR law rent rates, allowing the city to improve po- gaining agreement with the city of Denver, prohibits spending revenues that exceed lice and fire protection, repair roads, and more than 800 city workers voluntarily the rate of inflation and population restore public library hours. The addi- pay dues because they see the power of growth. Thanks to Measure 2A, Denver tional public funds will end Denver’s Teamster representation. can spend its “TABOR surplus” on public budget deficit and put furloughed city And the benefits of 2A will also be felt jobs and community needs including workers back to work. well beyond the ranks of Local 17. Accord- replacing 1,000 public service vehicles As part of “Yes on 2A,” a coalition of ing to the Denver Post, “Denver has strug- and providing $7 million for child city residents and groups in support of gled the past several years with an out-of- services. An additional $1 million will the initiative, Denver’s Local 17 played a balance ledger, forcing cuts, furloughs and also go toward property tax credits for huge role in the measure’s passage. service reductions. The city has had to slice low-income senior citizens. Local 17 Secretary-Treasurer Mike $540 million over the past five years be- As Local 17 wrote on Facebook, “Now Simeone said Teamster members will cause expenses exceed revenues from sales all city employees can join Teamsters Local now get back 5 unpaid furlough days. and property taxes…The extra $68 million 17 and say in a loud voice, IT PAYS TO And he said the support from the Inter- that the city will be allowed to keep will go BE UNION AND IT IS THE TEAMSTERS, national Union was crucial. to hire 100 more police officers and fire- WE BELIEVE, THAT MAKE OUR “We couldn’t have done it without fighters, repave 300 lane miles of roads and WORKPLACE BETTER!”

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SCHOOL BUS MOVEM

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EMENT 2012 Teamsters School Bus Workers Congress Makes History

AZURÉ HILLS-WILSON FELT a part of a community recently when she and more than 200 Teamsters from around the country gathered in Chicago for the 2012 Teamsters School Bus Workers Congress. “Since we’ve become Teamsters, we’ve been able to stop fa- voritism and the morale at work has changed. We are happier, feel safer and we are not afraid to speak up,” said Hills-Wilson, a First Student driver in Glen Ellyn, Ill., and a member of Local 777 in Lyons, Ill. “I’ve gained so much knowledge here from other Team- sters to take back to my location and share with my fellow drivers.” AHills-Wilson is one of the more than 35,000 school bus workers who have organized with the Teamsters since the union’s Drive Up Standards campaign to improve safety, service and working condi- tions in the school bus industry began in 2006. Her employer, First Student, is the nation’s largest student transportation company, and now the third-largest Teamster employer. The two-day Teamsters School Bus Workers Congress provided the opportunity for school bus drivers, monitors and Teamster local union representatives from around the country to participate in a national dialogue, learn more about the school bus industry and the Teamsters’ role in driving up standards, all in preparation for a year of increased activity. The event also featured the opportunity for

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education through dozens of workshops, the United Kingdom-based National Ex- as well as an impressive lineup of speakers press Group, parent company to Durham from around the globe. School Services in the U.S. and Stock “There is a war on workers being waged Transportation in Canada. by anti-worker politicians and employers, The event hosted global partners from but Teamsters are fighting back. While we Teamsters sister union Unite the Union in have a lot more work to do, we’ve built a the U.K. and the International Transport movement of school bus workers across Workers’ Federation, and even included a North America who are gaining the re- video teleconference with trade unionists spect, dignity and working conditions that in Australia. they deserve,” said Jim Hoffa, Teamsters TEAMSTER General President. Speaking Up SEAMSTER Rick Middleton, International Vice Teamster school bus workers know first- President and chair of the union’s national hand the difference a union makes. School school bus campaign, pointed to the bus workers are required to have profes- LETTIE NASH has given a gift to all union’s success in protecting workers’ sional licensing and training in order to 40 of the elementary school students rights at First Student as having laid the skillfully and safely transport children to who ride her bus. “They get excited groundwork at other private, multina- and from school. If you ask a nonunion and say, ‘Thank you, Miss Lettie.’ It tional school bus companies, noting that school bus worker what he or she needs makes me real happy that they love what started in local bus yards became a most, the likely answer is respect, fairness them,” said Nash, a member of Local global movement of school bus workers, and safe buses to transport the kids. Mean- 191 in Bridgeport, Conn. an unstoppable force for change. while, many bus workers barely scrape by, Nash, who has been a school bus John T. Coli, International Vice Presi- working split shifts, receiving paychecks driver for more than 30 years, made dent and President of Joint Council 25, that oftentimes do not accurately reflect all each of the students who ride her bus welcomed the participants to Chicago and of the hours that they’ve worked. a handmade hat to keep their heads gave a warm welcome to the 268 Alpha At the Congress, many workers shared warm this winter. Blue, orange, pink School Bus drivers and attendants in stories of unsafe buses, poverty-level wages, and purple, she’s made one in almost Crestwood, Ill., who joined Local 777 unaffordable health insurance, even home- every color. during the event. Alpha is a subsidiary of lessness. The Teamster drivers talked about The project began when one of the Cook-Illinois Corporation, the nation’s how their lives and working conditions the Cranbury Elementary School sixth-largest private provider of student have vastly improved since they became students saw Nash crocheting and transportation. Cook-Illinois workers have Teamsters, and how they are helping others asked for a hat. formed the Cook Action Network and achieve the same improvements. “I made a hat here and there, then engaged in a long-term campaign to bring Speakers included school bus workers started making three or four hats a day. workers’ rights and school bus safety to from a number of companies, including I made hats for all 40 kids, and for their the company. First Student, Durham, STA, Latino siblings, too,” Nash said. “Last year, I The national gathering also looked at Express, Illinois Central, Cook-Illinois, made a hat and a blanket and donated workers’ rights abuses and safety issues at Baumann Bus and more. it to a homeless shelter.” Nash is humble and never ex- pected all the attention over her proj- ect. A parent told a reporter about Nash’s gifts and she was featured in the local newspaper. Donations of yarn and needles promptly arrived at Nash’s school bus yard in Norwalk. “She didn’t think about the cost. She’s very giving and generous, a re- ally great person,” said Theresa Taylor, Nash’s manager at First Student. “She’s a wonderful lady and a great Teamster,” said Bobby Flynn, Presi- dent of Local 191. When asked what new projects Nash might take on in the future, she replied, “I haven’t thought about it. I crochet wherever I go.”

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“If it wasn’t for the union, I don’t know anti-worker management, but they perse- what we would have done,” said Martha vered in forming their union, and stand as Swiatkowski, a driver with Baumann Bus an example for what workers can achieve on Long Island, and a member of Local when they vow to never give up. 1205 in Farmingdale, N.Y. “We’ve gotten Drivers and attendants at Alpha had 20-percent increases in wages, we have been working to organize since 2010. The seniority and we get paid for all our time company resisted their efforts, setting up a worked. You have to really stand strong, fake “union” called the Executive Commit- and show the company you’re not going to tee, and despite an internal vote by the let them push you over or mow you down. workers in 2011 to affiliate with Local 777, Those days are over.” the company did not respect the workers’ “Being a school bus driver is not sim- decision and refused to recognize Local ply driving around; it’s getting involved 777 as their union. The workers were in a child’s life, getting to know the par- determined to have a real union, reorgan- ents and becoming an important part of izing and filing for an NLRB election in that child’s day,” said Cindy Knittig, a June 2012. member of Local 610 in St. Louis and a “I am excited. I am just so excited,” said 20-year Teamster driver with the Special Olivia Morris, an Alpha driver. “A Teamster School District of St. Louis County. “I’ve contract will give the Alpha drivers and at- learned so many things here, enjoyed the tendants an equal voice and the confidence BILL OF RIGHTS workshops, and am motivated to be more to speak up without fear of discipline.” active in my union.” Recently, in Waukegan, 220 drivers and ROBERTO RODRIGUEZ, an Illinois “The wonderful thing this Congress has monitors joined Local 777 in a re-run elec- Central school bus driver, was termi- shown me is the diversity of the union and tion. The company’s conduct during the nated suddenly. Not coincidentally, he how far reaching this international broth- initial organizing campaign led the local had just stepped up as an outspoken erhood is,” said Tom White, a member of to file more than 20 unfair labor practice supporter of joining the Teamsters. Local 777 in Lyons, Ill., who drives for Illi- charges and seven objections to the Rodriguez said he was persecuted for nois Central School Bus in Mt. Prospect, election. The NLRB found merit in the organizing, and he knew that his Ill. “Whether you’ve been a Teamster for a charges and advised the company that it rights had been violated. while, or working on your first contract, would pursue a bargaining order. “All of this happened because I was like me, we can all learn from and encour- The company came to a settlement willing to do whatever it takes because age each other.” agreement to have a re-run election, rein- we needed a union,” Rodriguez said. state two workers who had been fired “We have rights as workers and they School Bus Sweep during the campaign with full back pay can’t violate our rights. I am thankful While workers at companies around the and compensate seven other workers with there is justice.” country are organizing with the Teamsters, back pay owed to them. Rodriguez and his co-workers at Joint Council 25 local unions 179 and 777 “These are great victories for these Illinois Central in Waukegan, Ill., now in Illinois are organizing school bus work- workers, who had the courage and dedica- finally have their union. They’re mem- ers at a record pace. Since late April, more tion to fight for what is right,” said Jim bers of Local 777 in Lyons, Ill. For many than 580 workers have joined the Team- Glimco, Local 777 President. workers around the country who do not sters at six Illinois Central School Bus loca- “School bus workers in Illinois and have but want union representation, it tions, and 268 workers have joined Local around the country are building power is a constant struggle to maintain their 777 at Alpha School Bus. The workers and driving up standards in the school bus rights in the work environment. united seeking respect and fairness from industry by joining the Teamsters. We look Recognizing this, hundreds of their employer. forward to representing these hardworking Teamster school bus drivers and moni- At Alpha School Bus in Crestwood and school bus members,” said John T. Coli, tors recently unanimously ratified a Illinois Central in Waukegan, workers International Vice President and President “School Bus Workers’ Bill of Rights.” faced uphill battles against anti-union, of Joint Council 25. The document was announced at the recent School Bus Workers Congress. Among those rights are the right to good faith collective bargaining, Teamster School Bus Workers: freedom of association, due process to resolve workplace issues, dignity and STAY IN THE LOOP! respect on the job, freedom of speech, Text BUS to 86466 a safe workplace, fair and honest treat- ment, protection from discrimination Your carrier’s standard message and data rates may apply. and more.

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ORGANIZING ROUNDUP

142 GENESYS CONVALESCENT CENTER WORKERS JOIN LOCAL 332 IN MICHIGAN PICTURE OF HEALTH

hen it comes to patient care, ing and maintenance workers voted every day. Our union is a powerful Tonya Chin-Kee-Fatt wants 87-18 in favor of joining Local 332. voice for patient care, nursing stan- Wthe very best for her residents “Many of us have been talking dards and fair conditions for all work- at Genesys Convalescent Center, where about needed changes for a long time. ers in health care settings,” said Nina she works as a certified nursing assis- We decided it was time for us to take Bugbee, President of Local 332. tant. That’s why she and her fellow the ball and run with it,” said Annette Chrissy Cates, business agent with health care professionals at Genesys re- Burman, a 10-year registered nurse. Local 332 and a former registered nurse cently voted overwhelmingly to join “The level of care which all nursing at Genesys Regional Medical Center, Local 332 in Flint, Mich. home residents need has skyrocketed. notes that half of Local 332’s member- “We want to truly be able to take We need to address our working con- ship is made up of health care workers, care of our residents and be able to ditions in order to protect our patients covering nearly every position in the in- spend quality time with them,” Chin- and community residents.” dustry. Often, the only person standing Kee-Fatt said. “We all stood together so The workers at Genesys Convales- between a patient, their families and the we can have a voice.” cent center join the 1,400 Teamsters health system is a Teamster. By fighting The 142 new Teamster members who already work in the Genesys for their members’ rights, Local 332 work as registered nurses, licensed Health System at the Medical Center fights for patient rights. practical nurses, certified nursing as- and Hospice. The Genesys Health Sys- With the addition of the Genesys sistants, and in the dietary, housekeep- tem is owned by Ascension Health, the Convalescent Center workers, Cates ing and maintenance departments. second largest not-for-profit health said, “We feel like the family has grown.” In two votes held the same day, reg- care system in the U.S. Chin-Kee-Fatt feels the same way. istered nurses and licensed practical “Ascension may be a massive force “The same care I would give a fam- nurses voted 22-3 in favor of represen- in the health care industry, but we ily member of my own, I give to my tation by Local 332, while certified fight for our members every day, and patients, and as Teamsters we will be nursing assistants, dietary, housekeep- our members fight for their patients able to continue to do that,” she said.

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L O C A L 7 7 7 Griswold, Airline Division Coordinator of refineries and other industrial companies. Illinois Central School Bus Local 986 and International Representative of the Airline Division. L O C A L 1 7 0 School bus drivers and monitors at Illinois Central School Bus in Aurora and First Student Montgomery, Ill., have voted by an over- L O C A L 5 7 0 School bus drivers with First Student in whelming 4-1 margin to join Local 777 in Wayland, Mass., have voted overwhelm- Lyons, Ill. The 92 workers joined together Roesel-Heck ingly, 13-2, in favor of joining Local 170 seeking improved safety and working Drivers and warehouse workers with in Worchester, Mass. There are 17 drivers conditions at the nation’s fifth-largest Roesel-Heck Company, Inc. have voted in the bargaining unit. provider of school bus transportation. to join Local 570 in Baltimore. The 11 “I’m so excited. There’s a lot of fa- “It’s great that we won our union and workers united for dignity, respect and voritism, and we want to be treated equally I’m looking forward to a better life for all better safety on the job. They voted 10-1 and with respect. I can’t tell you how ex- of us. We need fair pay, sick time and safety in favor of Teamster representation. cited we are,” said Maria Abreu, a driver. issues to be resolved,” said Belarmino “I wanted to join the Teamsters because “The drivers banded together for all the Sagols, a driver. we have poor treatment and no job secu- right things. Collective bargaining with the This is the seventh Illinois Central rity,” said Leonard Bridgeforth, a ware- Teamsters at this company is the wave of location to join the Teamsters in recent house worker. the future,” said Michael P. Hogan, Local months. Since April, 673 workers at seven “The employees have shown that they 170 Secretary-Treasurer. “They wanted a Illinois Central school bus yards have trust Local 570 to get them the dignity, re- national contract to protect their rights on become Teamsters. spect, wages and benefits that a union con- the job, which is so vital in this economy.” “We welcome these hardworking tract can provide,” said Sean Cedenio, drivers and monitors to the Teamsters and Secretary-Treasurer of Local 570. look forward to negotiating a strong con- Roesel-Heck is a regional wholesale dis- L O C A L 6 3 3 tract that honors their service,” said Jim tributor of floor coverings for commercial Glimco, President of Local 777. and residential properties. New Hampshire Department of Corrections Corrections officers and corporals at the L O C A L 9 8 6 L O C A L 3 6 2 New Hampshire Department of Correc- Allegiant Air tions have voted overwhelmingly to join Clean Harbors Local 633 in Manchester. Flight dispatchers at Allegiant Air have Approximately 540 workers of Clean The new Teamster members, seeking voted to join Local 986. There are 21 dis- Harbors Industrial Services in Fort a strong voice on the job, work as patchers in the bargaining unit and the McMurray have chosen the Teamsters corrections officers and corporals at state vote was 15-5. Union to represent them. prisons, correctional facilities and transi- The flight dispatchers at Allegiant, a The organizing campaign launched tional units throughout New Hampshire. subsidiary of Las Vegas-based Allegiant in May by Local 362 had a happy ending The 331 officers were previously repre- Travel Company, are joining approximately when the Alberta Labour Relations Board sented by the New England Police Benev- 350 Allegiant pilots who voted to join the certified Teamsters following a majority olent Association. Teamsters in August 2012. vote in favor of the union. “We welcome these brave men and “We are excited to have the Teamsters “The workers made it very clear that women into the Teamsters,” said David with us to negotiate a strong, fair contract they had had enough of their employer’s Laughton, Secretary-Treasurer of Local and to make Allegiant more of a career air- arbitrary decisions,” said Richard Eichel, 633. line for dispatchers,” said Brian Moyer, an President of Teamsters Local 362 in Cal- “From the beginning, these state Allegiant dispatcher who was active in the gary, Alberta. “They want respect and an employees were motivated to have a organizing effort. end to favoritism. I think that’s a perfectly more powerful voice in the workplace “The Airline Division and Teamsters legitimate request.” and the Teamsters will provide that Local 986 welcome our new brothers and Clean Harbors provides hazardous and power,” said Roger Travers, Joint Coun- sisters to the Teamster family,” said Clacy non-hazardous waste disposal services for cil 10 organizer.

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26 TEAMSTER | WINTER 2013 | www.teamster.org 74432_Layout 1 1/25/13 8:52 PM Page 29 STAN-A NEW DARD

IN CONSECUTIVE VICTORIES, MORE THAN 300 PARKING WORKERS JOIN LOCAL 25

n consecutive victories two weeks apart, “During the past year, we have organ- Ethiopia, who works at Standard Parking more than 300 workers at Standard Park- ized nearly 650 parking workers and we at Boston University. “We know that with Iing in the Boston area joined Local 25. will continue to organize so that these the power of the Teamsters, we will get With these latest victories, Local 25 now hardworking men and women, who work management to listen to us. In the past, represents about one-quarter of the workers under challenging conditions, are treated we didn’t have any say in our jobs. I am in the Boston parking industry and aims to fairly,” O’Brien said. proud to be a Teamster.” organize more workers. In late October, 270 attendants, cashiers Unity, Strength Strong Momentum and valet workers employed by Standard at “We worked hard on this campaign and we In February 2012, 334 workers at Central 42 locations joined the union. Workers remained strong and united. We are happy to Parking in the Boston area joined Local 25. voted by a more than 2-1 margin to form be Teamsters and we look forward to negoti- The latest victories build even more mo- their union. ating a strong first contract with Standard mentum for the Boston campaign. Two weeks later, 35 bus and shuttle Parking,” said Mohamed Ibrahim, a Standard “It is great to have the parking workers drivers employed by Standard voted to join Parking worker originally from Somalia who part of our Local 25 family and we look Local 25. The drivers work at the Massa- works at a parking lot in Boston’s Back Bay forward to winning them a more secure chusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) neighborhood. future,” O’Brien said. and the Cambridge Health Alliance, which “We go to work every day and work Local 25 is part of the Teamsters Na- serves three hospitals. hard for the company and all we want is tional Parking Council, an organization “These latest victories at Standard illus- to be treated fairly,” said Tarik Farhat, a of local unions that represent Teamster trate how parking workers in Greater Boston worker at Standard Parking at Cambridge men and women employed in the parking want a strong voice on the job and want to Health Alliance who is originally from industry and related fields. The council is be treated with the r espect and dignity they Morocco. “Right now, we don’t have the part of the Industrial Trades Division and deserve,” said Sean M. O’Brien, President job security and fair treatment that we it helps local unions take on the domi- and principal officer of Local 25. deserve. We look forward to fairness and nance of several national parking compa- The Standard workers want job secu- respect as Teamsters.” nies in the industry. rity, respect, fair pay, full-time work and “As Teamsters, we have a brighter fu- The council has identified nearly 30,000 more vacation time. Many of the workers ture and soon we will have our rights and Teamsters employed in the parking indus- are immigrants, particularly from coun- protections in writing with a union con- try, while estimating another 60,000 work- tries in East Africa. tract,” said Biniam Meshesha, a native of ers who are unorganized.

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“While working men and women have long known the value of a dollar—it is a lesson well taught to one who labors for a living—it has taken a long, long time to teach employers the value of a human being, and in many cases has not yet been successfully taught. Few give thought to what happens to displaced workers, but they can analyze to the penny what the profits will be.”

–JAMES R. HOFFA

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VISIONARY LABOR LEADER BORN 100 YEARS AGO Teamsters Celebrate James R. Hoffa Centennial

ames R. Hoffa, born February 14, 1913, served as General President of the Teamsters Union from J1957 to 1971. In that time, he inspired thousands to stand up and let their voices be heard. As General President, Hoffa honed his well-earned reputation as a tough and effective bargainer, and gained the respect of labor and business leaders alike across the country. He worked hard to expand the number of working men and women who were protected by union contracts and, under his leadership, the union’s member- ship rose to include more than 2 million workers. Hoffa’s crowning achievement was the 1964 National Master Freight Agreement, which united more than 400,000 over-the-road drivers under one contract. This contract, a feat that had been declared virtually impossible by many, lifted more workers out of poverty and into the middle class than any other single event in labor history. “My father’s devotion to the Teamsters and their fami- lies was—and remains—legendary. His whole life was dedicated to bettering the lives of America’s working families,” said James P. Hoffa, General President of the Teamsters Union and son of James R. Hoffa. “I can think of no better way to honor his legacy than to continue fighting on behalf of working people everywhere.” One of the most important and long-lasting aspects of Hoffa’s legacy is to education. He strongly believed that a good education is the birthright of every American. In 1999, the James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund (JRHMSF) was established in his memory. The 2013/2014 scholarship application deadline for high school seniors is on March 31, 2013. For more information, visit www.teamster.org.

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IRB REPORT 1

REPORT TO ALL MEMBERS the Local would pay actual and defined contract costs plus a fixed OF THE INTERNATIONAL fee to the contractor, Stone Construction. The contract provided BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS a guaranteed maximum price of $3,091,524 for the building con- struction and could not be exceeded. If the fixed fee plus actual FROM: Independent Review Board costs were less, the Local would pay less. There were two change Benjamin R. Civiletti orders to the Stone contract which increased it to $3,185,429. To Joseph E. diGenova protect the Local from being charged for improper costs, the con- William H. Webster tract provided the Local with the right to audit the actual costs that the general contractor incurred in constructing the building. DATED: December 1, 2012 Although the Local paid the maximum price under the contract, the Secretary-Treasurer chose not to exercise the Local’s rights to I. INTRODUCTION audit costs. As a result, this could allow the contractor to make im- This is Report Number 1 of the Independent Review proper payments made from funds the Local caused to be sent to Board (IRB) for 2013 regarding activities conducted pursuant the contractor. For example, one of the costs the general contrac- to the Consent Order. In this Report we will discuss a recently tor charged to the contract was a $90,000 fee to Todd Chester, a issued report on the recommendation of a Trusteeship. In some close family friend of the Secretary-Treasurer and the President, detail, you were previously informed of prior charges against IBT for speaking to the Local’s Secretary-Treasurer about using the officers and members and recommended Trusteeships by IRB. Stone contractor. This allowed the contractor to make an im- This report will provide the status of those prior charges and proper payment to Mr. Chester. The Secretary-Treasurer admit- Trusteeships. ted he assumed Mr Chester would receive some payment from the general contractor. Under the contract the contractor’s own II. NEW REPORT fee for acting as general contractor was $135,282 under the con- A. TRUSTEESHIP – LOCAL 120, BLAINE, tract as opposed to Mr. Chester’s $90,000 for the introduction to MINNESOTA the Local’s principal officer. Local 120, which is located in Blaine, Minesota, has In addition to that questionable cost, over $30,000 approximately 11,600 members employed as drivers, helpers, which the contractor owed the Local was not paid. It was not and truck terminal employees, over the road, city transfer, cold clear from the records to whom or to what entity this money storage, grocery and market drivers. In addition to its location in went, or whether the contractor kept it improperly. By failing to Blaine, Local 120 has offices in Fargo, North Dakota; Des Moines, take necessary steps to protect the members’ money, the Secre- and Dubuque, Iowa; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and Mankato, tary-Treasurer, at a minimum, breached his fiduciary duties to Minnesota. the members. Trusteeship Recommendation Operating a For-Profit Bar In a report dated November 9, 2012 to James P. Hoffa, Since 2007 Local 120 has operated a for-profit Bar and IBT General President, the IRB recommended that Local 120 be a charitable gaming operation in Fargo, North Dakota. The fi- placed in Trusteeship. As detailed in the report, there is evidence nancial results of these operations as a subsidiary of the Local that the Secretary-Treasurer and President are corrupt and in- were included on the Local’s Form LM-2 ( U.S. Department of competent, the Local is engaged in financial malpractice and is Labor Annual Report) and the Bar and Gaming employees were not being conducted in the best interest of its members. listed as Local employees. During the years Local 120 controlled Brad D. Slawson, Sr. Secretary-Treasurer, and principal the operations, incorporated as “Teamsters,” it lost money and the officer of the Local, and his son Brad A. Slawson, Jr. President, Local subsidized this open-to-the-public for profit bar. have violated the Local’s Bylaws on numerous occasions, without The Local’s Bar and Gaming employees were non-union the required membership and Executive Board approval, by not workers. The only benefit they received was that after one year maintaining required records at the Local and paying themselves employment, they were entitled to one week’s paid vacation. out of Local funds without Executive Board approval. The President and Secretary-Treasurer have told others that these employees cannot receive benefits and their wages must The following are examples where this has occurred: be kept low in order for the union-owned Bar to be profitable. Buying Land and Constructing a New Building A self-appointed Local 120 Bar and Gaming Board, In 2007 and 2008, the Local spent over $4,000,000 to separate from Local 120 Executive Board, purports to control buy land and construct a new building. The Secretary-Treasurer, the Local-owned Bar and the funds it generated. Currently, the Brad D. Slawson, Sr. with the assistance of his son, Brad A. Slaw- Board consists of the Local’s Secretary-Treasurer, his son the Pres- son, the President, and another son, who was then an employee ident, and two at-will employees of the Local’s Bar who are not of the Local, together controlled the process within the Local. union members. Since 2007, the Bar and Gaming Board has The Local entered into a contract which provided that

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voted stipends, totaling $335,832 to its members paid from sporting tickets, as the Secretaryi-Treasurer testified, were a “hot operations. The Local’s President and Secretary-Treasurer have button” issue. received $72,700 and $68,100, respectively since 2007. Diverting Strike Funds The Bar and Gaming operations are a subsidiary of the In a letter dated October 11, 2012 after his sworn exami- Local. However, the Local Executive Board did not approve the nation, Mr. Brad D. Slawson, Sr. acknowledged that strike fund diversion of these Local funds to the officers as required by the money totaling $189,130 was used for building construction. Bylaws. These payments were a breach of their fiduciary duties. The use of strike fund money for the building construction Partly because of these stipends, the Local over the years has been violated the Bylaws of Local 120, which states that the strike fund forced to pay Bar and Gaming operations related expenses from money shall be used exclusively for the payment of strike benefits the general fund because the Bar had insufficient revenues to and strike expenses, as the Local Executive Board shall determine. cover costs. Other Inappropriate Activities Appointing a Family Friend as Consultant Other expenses at the Local appeared to be inappropri- In 2010 and 2011, the Secretary-Treasurer appointed the ate. For example, the President has submitted false expense re- family friend and father of his grandchild, Todd Chester, as a con- ceipts. The Local has also paid for food and alcoholic drinks for sultant to the Bar. The principal officer made Mr. Chester a part- the officers and business agents without a stated union purpose. time Local employee at $26,000 a year plus health insurance, a The President also has used the promise of future Local Business benefit denied the full time non-union Local Bar employees. He in an attempt to have Local vendors not press him to pay per- placed Mr. Chester in charge of the Bar, including its inventory. sonal debts. Mr. Chester, shortly after the Secretary-Treasurer appointed him, Trustee Appointed filed for bankruptcy. Mr. Chester recently admitted, contrary to On November 9, 2012, James P. Hoffa, based on IRB’s his sworn bankruptcy filing, that he owned a bar in Minnesota recommendation, determined that an immediate Trusteeship of during this period. Under the stewardship of the bankrupt bar Local 120 was necessary and on the same date appointed William owner, there were higher amounts of inventory which the Local Moore to serve as Temporary Trustee of Local 120. Bar records showed was used in comparison to what the Bar records indicated was sold to customers. This difference was un- III. PROGRESS OF EXISTING CHARGES explained. During this period, Mr. Chester misrepresented to A. LOCAL 82, STATUS OF REMAINING CASES several individuals that he was returning inventory to whole- salers. The records of the wholesalers who supplied the Bar liquor Mr. James P. Hoffa, IBT President, released Local 82 did not indicate any returns or credit received for any returns. from Trusteeship effective December 31, 2011. Based on the results of a hearing held on October 11, Entering Into Sham Contracts 2011, the IRB has rendered decisions and opinions on the then The Local currently has a sham contract with a group remaining unresolved cases for Local 82. These cases were dis- of companies under the umbrella of American Pride Home cussed in some detail in prior issues of this report. Services. This current contract is in effect from 2009 to 2013. The prior contract, which was identical, but for duration, was The current status of these cases is as follows: entered into between the employer and the Local with the current James Deamicis and Thomas Flaherty Secretary-Treasurer and principal officer as sole signatory. These On January 24, 2012, the IRB issued its opinion and de- contracts explicitly stated that there was no collective bargaining cision regarding charges against Messrs. Deamicis and Flaherty relationship between the Local and the employer. They permit- and, on this same date, submitted Application 156 on this matter ted the employer to impose discipline on member-employees in to Chief Judge Preska for review; and if affirmed, to be entered as its sole discretion, including termination of employees. The eco- an order of the Court. nomic arrangements between the employees and the company Mr. Deamicis has filed an appeal with Chief Judge Preska. were also excluded from the contract. The employer needed The IRB takes note that a of the District of the contract to represent itself as a union employer in selling Massachusetts returned a 30 Count against James products to union members, its target market. The Secertary- Deamicis, Thomas Flaherty as well as John Perry former Secre- Treasurer himself actively hawked the company’s products to tary-Treasurer of Local 82 and Joseph Burhoe, a former member the Local members, including sending solicitation letters on Local of Local 82. The indictment charges these individuals with acts letterhead to use its services. of racketeering based upon the same conduct at issue in Applica- Distribution of Tickets to Sporting Events tion 156, to wit, interfering with the right of certain members of From 2007 to 2012, the Local has spent at least $214,755 Local 82 to vote on proposed collective bargaining agreements in for tickets to sporting events. The President has been in charge 2009 as well as other charges. of the distribution of these tickets. The record keeping for who Leif Thornton, Cheryl Milisi, Francis Dizoglio, used the tickets, and for what union purpose the tickets were John Logan and Nicholas Murphy used was deficient. This was the case despite being aware that On January 25, 2012, the IRB issued its opinion and

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decision on charges against members of the Executive Board and, IV. TOLL-FREE HOTLINE on this same date, submitted Application 155 on this matter to Since our last report to you, the hotline has received Chief Judge Preska for review; and if affirmed, to be entered as an approximately 90 calls reporting alleged improprieties. As in the order of the Court. past, all calls appearing to fall within IRB jurisdiction were re- Mr. Murphy has filed an appeal with Chief Judge Preska. ferred for investigation. Lawrence Maguire Activities which should be reported for investigation On February 22, 2010 the IRB issued its opinion and include, but are not limited to, association with , decision on the charges against Mr. Maguire, and on this same corruption, racketeering, embezzlement, extortion, assault, or date, submitted Application 158 on this matter to Chief Judge failure to investigate any of these. Preska for review, and if affirmed, to be entered as an order of To assure that all calls are treated confidentially, the the Court. system recording hotline calls is located in a cipher-locked IRB Bernard Piscopo room on a dedicated line and accessed only by an IRB staff mem- On February 2, 2012, the IRB issued its opinion and de- ber. The recorded information, if complete and within IRB cision on the charges against Mr. Piscopo, and on this same date, jurisdiction, is forwarded directly to the Investigations Office in submitted Application 157 on this matter to Chief Judge Preska New York City. Please continue to use the toll-free hotline to for review; and if affirmed, to be entered as an order of the Court. report improprieties which fall within IRB jurisdiction by calling 1-800-CALL-IRB (800-225-5472). If you are calling from within B. PAUL KENNY, ABRAHAM MORENO, GARY Washington, DC, dial 202-434-8085. GUILLORY- LOCAL 630 – LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA V. CONCLUSION As always, our task is to ensure that the goals of the On September 21, 2011, the IRB found General Presi- Consent Order are fulfilled. In doing so, it is our desire to dent Hoffa’s decision concerning charges and penalties to be not keep the IBT membership fully informed about our activities inadequate. On August, 3 2012, letters from the Attorneys for through these reports and also through use of the website at Kenny, Moreno and Guillory were sent to the IRB requesting www.irbcases.org. The website also makes available a copy of reconsideration of its non-inadequate decision. On August 21, the Consent Decree. 2012, the IRB responded, denying the request. If you have any information concerning allegations In order to provide the proper avenue for Messrs. of wrongdoing or corruption, you may call the toll-free hotline Kenny, Moreno, and Guillory to submit their appeals to the number noted above, use the IRB facsimile number 202-434-8084, Court, the IRB on August 23, 2012, submitted Application 162 to or write to either the IRB Chief Investigator or the IRB office: Chief Judge Preska, United States District Court, S.D.N.Y. Charles M. Carberry, Chief Investigator C. TRUSTEESHIP- LOCAL 630, LOS ANGELES, 17 Battery Place, Suite 331 CALIFORNIA New York, NY 10004 In a letter dated September 27, 2011 from James P. Hoffa, IBT General President, to the Co-Trustees of Local 630, Independent Review Board Mr. Hoffa, decided to continue the Trusteeship. 444 North Capitol Street, N.W. IBT was to release Local 630 from Trusteeship after offi- Suite 528 cer elections were conducted in September 2012. However, soon Washington, DC 20001 after the election was held, an election protest was submitted to the IBT. On November 16, 2012 the IRB was advised that Presi- dent James P. Hoffa has appointed IBT International Trustee Ron Herrera, as Trustee over Local 630.

D. NICHOLAS BERNHARD, LOCAL 917, FLORAL PARK, NEW YORK An agreement was reached between the IRB and Mr. Bernhard and on July 31, 2012, the IRB submitted the Agreement by way of Application of 161 to Chief Judge Preska, for approval.

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+0*/5)064"/%40'05)&35&".45&34+645-*,&:068)0"3&1"350'5)&5&".45"3 130(3"."/%&/+0:1&"$&0'.*/%8*5)5)&*3)&"-5)$"3&$07&3"(&&7&3:%": 0QFO&OSPMMNFOU1FSJPE #FHJOT%FDFNCFS 

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters is proud to announce an open enrollment period for the TEAMStar Retiree Health Program from December 15, 2012 to February 28, 2013. During this period, all Medicare-eligible Teamster retirees, their spouses or surviving spouses are GUARANTEED ACCEPTANCE with no waiting periods regardless of preexisting health conditions! Here are some additional service features made available to all Teamsters and their spouses under the TEAMStar Retiree Health Program: t(SPVQ#VZJOH1PXFS‰TEAMStar rates are not available to the general public. ti"VUPNBUJDw$MBJNT'JMJOH1-6S® — Eliminate paperwork hassles associated with Medicare Part B claims filing and maximize eligible benefits. t'SFFEPNPG$IPJDF‰There are no provider lists or referral process. We believe it is important for you to choose your own doctors and hospitals. t/BUJPOXJEF"DDFQUBODF‰TEAMStar is recognized and accepted by providers nationwide. t$IPJDFPG1MBOT‰Choose a plan that fits your needs. TEAMStar offers various plans to supplement your Medicare. In some states, we offer plans with a deductible, designed to help save premium dollars for Teamsters.

1PMJDZIPMEFS5FTUJNPOJBMT “I have never had a problem with the “It is the best program, in all aspects. care and service I have received. It gives I recommend it to anyone.” me peace of mind.” - Vincent, Local 584 Member - Mario, Local 617 Member

“I rate your program and health service as “Our needs are always taken care of, in one of the highest standards. Thank you good time and accurately. We appreciate for being my provider over the years.” it more as we grow older.” - Thomas, Local 315 Member - Maxine, Spouse of Local 962 Member

To receive an enrollment packet or enroll immediately over the phone, call 1-800-808-3239. You may also visit www.teamstar.com for more information. RAEA1A56 GRP0925D 1212 74432_Layout 1 1/25/13 8:53 PM Page 36

TurboTax Discount For Teamsters

Teamster households now have access to a leading brand of tax preparation software, TurboTax, at a discount of up to $20 off the price for federal products. A portion of the price paid for the TurboTax product will be donated to the James R. Hoffa Scholarship Fund in honor of the 100th birthday of James R. Hoffa.

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Keep more of your hard-earned money this tax season. You can access the Teamster TurboTax website at turbotax.intuit.com/affilitate/teamster.

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