INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2006

United For A Secure Future UPS TEAMSTERS BEGIN NATIONAL CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS

www.teamster.org ININ THISTHIS ISSUEISSUE 2 TEAMSTER NEWS 8 United For l Teamsters Mourn Flight Attendant A Secure Future l Charity Event Teamsters Kick Off Contract Raises $1 Million Negotiations At UPS l Teamster Wins $675,000 On 14 Teamster Time Game Show At Miller l Local 200 Members Workers, Conference Secure Solid Make Snap-on Tools Wages And Benefits l TV Show Honors Teamsters 16 Making A Difference 8 750 Teamster Women Gather For ORGANIZING Women’s Conference 20 l Concrete Workers 22 Taking The Chill Join Local 745 Out Of AmeriCold l Local 747 Welcomes 100 Pilots 495 Warehouse Workers Now Represented By Local 528 l Deputy Sheriffs Join Local 633 24 Striking Oil l Local 439 Wins Local 120 Members Return Dual Campaigns To Work At Marathon Oil l 111 Nurses 26 Justice Delivered Join Local 690 After Long Delay, Supreme Court Sides 3030 COURT MATERIAL With Detroit Newspaper Workers 32 Breaking Away Motion Picture Industry Is 16 On The Upswing In Texas 28 Rail Maintenance Appalachian And Ohio Workers Vote “Yes” For BMWED 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 pub- lication of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, 25 Louisiana Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20001-2198. It is published eight times a year in February, March/April, May, June/July, August, September, October, and November/ December. Periodical postage paid at Washington, D.C. and at additional mailing offices. NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2006 / VOLUME 103, NO. 8 © 2006 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 Putting Workers First

n August, the U.S. trade gap widened Bad Solutions to a staggering $69.9 billion, a 2.7 per- Our elected officials continue to support cent increase over July’s record-setting trade policies that have displaced more than a $68 billion deficit. Our trade deficit million Mexican farmers and have impover- with China alone shot up by 12.2 ished millions more Latin Americans, forcing percent to a record of $22 billion. At these desperate workers to risk their lives to this rate, the U.S.-China trade deficit illegally migrate north and take menial jobs will blow away last year’s $202 bil- to support their families back home. Our lion, the highest deficit ever recorded government’s solution to illegal immigration between two countries. is not a re-examination of destructive trade IBut this is nothing new. Our government’s policies, but rather a 700-mile fence along the economic policies have led to record-setting Mexican border. trade deficits for five consecutive years. These Instead of passing more trade agreements policies have also cost the United States mil- modeled after NAFTA and CAFTA, Ameri- lions of jobs. Since 2001, 2.7 million U.S. jobs cans should demand real action that will have been outsourced to other countries and benefit workers both here and abroad. 3 million manufacturing jobs have been lost. The Teamsters have a strong, proud his- tory of opposing trade deals that are unfair to 10 Years Gone American workers. Let your elected officials Ten years of NAFTA have shown us that the know that you do not support padding Cor- only winners are multinational corporations porate America’s profits at the expense of our that move plants out of the United States to nation’s working men and women. We must pay a nonliving wage and re-import finished fight these unfair trade agreements. Our goods into this country. In other words, U.S. future depends on it. workers lose and foreign workers lose, but the CEOs and large shareholders of multina- tional conglomerates win. Our government promotes America as champions of liberty in one breath while promoting trade agreements that fail to safe- guard basic human rights, wage standards and environmental protections in another. TEAMSTER NEWS

In Memoriam: Kelly Heyer Teamsters Mourn Loss of Comair Flight Attendant

n August 27, flight atten- Heyer, 27, had been a mem- Slayback said that dant Kelly Heyer was ber of Local 513 in Florence, she had called Heyer Oamong 49 people killed Kentucky since beginning work last week, reporting in the crash of Comair Flight at the airline in July 2004. A that he had won his 5191 in Lexington, Kentucky. Florence resident, Heyer was first grievance, con- “On behalf of the Teamsters stationed at JFK Airport in New cerning a flight crew’s Union, our deepest sympathies York City and was selected as the rest time and report go out to the families, friends flight attendants’ New York rep- time. and coworkers of Kelly Heyer resentative earlier this summer. “Any time he and everyone who was on had a question or Flight 5191,” said Jim Hoffa, Devastating News thought the com- Teamsters General President. “We were devastated when we pany wasn’t inter- “This accident was a true trag- heard the news,” said Connie preting the contract edy. We mourn and honor the Slayback, Local 513 President correctly, he’d be on the once again to say one final lives lost.” and Comair flight attendant. phone, almost right after he goodbye,” an unidentified The aircraft was assigned the “Kelly always had the cour- was hired,” Slayback said. “He friend wrote on an Internet airport’s Runway 22 for the take- age to stand up and represent wasn’t argumentative, so much bulletin board. “My wife was off, but used Runway 26 instead. himself and our fellow flight as someone who wanted things so right when she said, ‘My life Runway 26 was too short for a attendants. He was popular at done right.” was just better because Kelly safe takeoff, causing the aircraft JFK and his coworkers always was a part of it.’” to depart the end of the runway had nice things to say about Remembering Heyer “His truly is a heartbreaking before it could become airborne. working with him.” “He was a dynamic person,” loss,” said Don Treichler, Air- It crashed just past the end of the “He was a stand-up individ- said Jim Hoeh, a friend of line Division Director. “Kelly runway, killing all 47 passengers ual,” said Tracey Riley, Comair Heyer’s. “He treated everyone was an upstanding profes- and two of the three crew. The flight attendant and Local 513 with the respect he believes sional. We extend our heartfelt flight’s first officer was the only business agent. “He was very they should be treated with.” condolences to Kelly’s family, survivor. professional, loved his job.” “I just wish I could see you friends and coworkers.”

GENERAL EXECUTIVE BOARD

James P. Hoffa VICE PRESIDENTS TEAMSTERS CANADA CENTRAL REGION EASTERN REGION SOUTHERN REGION WESTERN REGION TRUSTEES General President AT-LARGE Robert Bouvier, Patrick W. Flynn Jack Cipriani Tyson Johnson J. Allen Hobart Frank Gallegos 25 Louisiana Ave., NW Randy Cammack President 4217 South Halsted St. P.O. Box 35405 1007 Jonelle Street 14675 Interurban Ave. S 207 North Sanborn Rd. Washington, DC 20001 845 Oak Park Road Teamsters Canada Chicago, IL 60609 Greensboro, NC 27425 Dallas, TX 75217 Suite 301 Salinas, CA 93905 Covina, CA 91724 2540 Daniel Johnson Tukwila, WA 98168 C. Thomas Keegel Suite 804 Walter A. Lytle Ken Hall Ken Wood Henry B. Perry Jr. General Secretary- Fred Gegare Laval, Quebec, Canada 2644 Cass Street 267 Staunton Ave. SW 5818 E. MLK Jr. Blvd. Chuck Mack 796 E. Brooks Ave. Treasurer 1546 Main Street H7T 2S3 Fort Wayne, IN 46808 South Charleston, WV Tampa, FL 33619 P.O. Box 2270 Memphis, TN 38116 25 Louisiana Ave., NW Green Bay, WI 54302 25303 Oakland, CA 94621 Washington, DC 20001 Tom Fraser Dotty Malinsky John Steger Carroll Haynes 1890 Meyerside Dr. 9409 Yukon Avenue S. John F. Murphy Jim Santangelo 25 Louisiana Ave., N.W. 216 West 14th Street Mississauga, Ontario Bloomington, MN 348 D Street 818 S. Oak Park Road Washington, DC 20001 New York, NY 10011 Canada L5T 1B4 55438 Boston, MA 02127 Covina, CA 91724 Tom O’Donnell Garnet Zimmerman Lester A. Singer Richard Volpe 1 Hollow Lane 7283 149th A Street 435 South Hawley St. 6 Tuxedo Avenue Suite 309 Surrey, B.C. Canada Toledo, OH 43609 New Hyde Park, NY Lake Success, NY 11042 V3S 3H4 11040 Philip E. Young Ralph J. Taurone 1668 N.W. 1000 Road 47 West 200 South Creighton, MO 64739 Suite 300 Salt Lake City, UT 2 TEAMSTER | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER84101 2006 | www.teamster.org “In Search Of A Cure” Local 731’s Hancock, Charity Event Raises Over $1 Million

s President of Local 731 in the first few golf outings, but Chicago, Terry Hancock now he controls the micro- Ahas the leadership skills to phone and runs the raffle,” achieve victories for workers Hancock said. and their families. The same The money that Local 731 leadership qualities cross over raises goes to support a condi- into his personal life, allowing tion that is the nation’s fastest him to make a difference in the growing developmental disor- lives of thousands of people. der. An estimated one in 166 sibly within his lifetime. treat it, and hopefully one day, Hancock holds an admira- children are currently affected “There was a time when find a cure. That is what I’d ble distinction. He is the single by autism, up from 1 in 10,000 people were afraid of autism like to achieve.” largest individual fund-raiser children just 12 years ago. because they didn’t know what To learn more about autism for autism charities in the Hancock is thankful for the it was,” Hancock said. “The or to help out, visit Cure country. Hancock’s “In Search Chicago Teamster members more we can help understand Autism Now at their web site: of a Cure” golf event has raised and their families who have it, the more we can work to www.cureautismnow.org. more than $1 million for Cure come out to help his cause, Autism Now, a nonprofit orga- which has gained support nization that supports research beyond the local. leading to the prevention and Open Enrollment Period treatment of autism. Teamster Support Ends December 31, 2006! Hancock started the tour- Hancock serves as a Trustee on nament in 2002 with Chair- the Executive Board of Joint The open enrollment period for the TEAMStar Medicare Part D person Roberta Lester, and Council 25, which recently Prescription Drug Program will end on December 31, 2006. The they have had the full support raised more than $150,000 at next enrollment period will not begin until November 15, 2007. of Teamster members, their its third annual All Charity TEAMStar Part D Program participants enjoy the following families and friends with this Event. Through the success benefits: annual event. Most supportive of this event, Joint Council 25 of Hancock is his 12-year-old was able to contribute to over • Competitive group rates – IBT program not available son, Bryan. a dozen charities. This includes to the general public the 2006 “In Search of a Cure” • Comprehensive drug coverage and pharmacy A Great Kid event, which was the recipient network – over 2,100 drug prescriptions In most ways, Bryan leads a of a $12,000 contribution to available through over 50,000 normal life. He swims, plays on Cure Autism Now. pharmacies nationwide a basketball team and horses “We believe in the causes around with his two brothers. we support and in the impor- • Coverage options – two plans However, he also faces his share tance of working toward the to choose from of struggles. Bryan has been prevention and treatment of • No annual deductible – diagnosed with autism. While autism. We feel lucky to work plan begins paying immediately Bryan will always be affected by with people as passionate as autism, in-home therapy has Terry and Roberta when it For additional information, improved his condition greatly comes to helping others,” said or if you need an enrollment and he is now a vocal supporter John T. Coli, President of Joint packet, visit our website at of his father’s charity. Council 25. www.teamstarpartd.com or “Bryan is a gift from above. “Hancock believes in doing call 1-866-524-4173. He is a great kid and always whatever he can to get people RDL61103 amazes me. He was shy during involved in finding a cure, pos-

www.teamster.org | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2006 | TEAMSTER 3 TEAMSTER NEWS

Recognizing Those Who Serve “Helmets to Hardhats” Push States to Streamline CDL Rules

hen Army Sgt. Nathan Monroe was home on leave last year, he “For the sake of our Wneeded to renew his driver’s license. Because he had been trained veterans and their families, by the Army to drive tractor trailers, flatbeds and fuel tankers, he I ask that your state adopt thought he would use his military paperwork to get his commercial driv- similar measures based ers license. upon standards of military Instead, the 22-year-old Holt, Michigan soldier was told, “my military experience,” Hoffa told the paperwork was of no use, that I would have to start all over from the governors. “This would not beginning with state of Michigan testing and requirements to obtain my only help repay our debt certification and licensing.” to those who have served Michigan is one of 45 states that do not recognize prior military our country in a time of training and experience when granting commercial licenses. As these war, but would also ensure applicants have the skills necessary to safely state laws now stand, Monroe and military men and women like him handle commercial vehicles on our nation’s highways.” would have to wait through months of retraining and retesting before The letters are the first step is an ongoing Helmets to Hardhats they could re-enter civilian life in a commercial driving career. campaign to help transition veterans into commercial driving jobs. The The Teamsters are trying to change these rules. General President nonprofit organization was formed nearly four years ago to connect Jim Hoffa, a Trustee of the Helmets to Hardhats program, recently wrote former military members with career training and employment within the to the governors and transportation department administrators of each construction industry. of the 45 states that do not recognize military driving experience in Monroe, who has logged approximately 16,000 miles—in both hopes of loosening these undue restrictions. combat situations during two deployments to Iraq and on German auto- bahns—salutes the union’s efforts. “The military has given me more than Repaying Our Debt enough experience and mileage to be a fully licensed truck driver,” Mon- Federal regulations already give each state the ability to grant CDLs roe said. “I think what the union is doing is great. This makes me feel based on military experience. But only Florida, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio that the union does everything possible to help the truck drivers of the and Rhode Island “recognize the talent and skill our veterans achieve country do their jobs better and provide a qualified work force.” while serving our country,” Hoffa’s letter states.

A Really Big Deal Local 807 Member Wins $675,000 on “Deal or No Deal”

eamster Matthew “Matty” Sol- Howie Mandel, is a highly rated Tlena, a long-time member of prime-time game show in which Local 807 in Long Island City, New contestants choose one of 26 York, won a whopping $675,000 on sealed briefcases to keep, without the September 18 episode of NBC’s knowing the amount in each one, “Deal or No Deal.” ranging from one penny to $1 mil- Sollena has been a delivery truck lion. But on the day the Staten driver for Superior Printing Ink in Island resident appeared in the Teterboro, New Jersey for the past 10 show’s season premiere episode, years. Before that, Sollena worked as the top prize had tripled to $3 a Teamster for Capital Paper in Man- million. Sollena promptly selected hattan for 13 years. briefcase 23 from the 26 cases “Deal or No Deal,” hosted by after proudly proclaiming he has

4 TEAMSTER | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2006 | www.teamster.org Rhode Island Renaissance Film and Television Projects Flow into Ocean State

tephen Silva remembers the set of “Waterfront,” a the lean years. Warner Brothers television S Silva has been a series starring Joe Pantolia- member of Local 251 in no, Mary Stuart Masterson Providence, Rhode Island and Billy Baldwin. He credits since 1975 and remembers the leadership of Local 251, working on his first project and Steven Feinberg, head of in Newport, Rhode Island on the Rhode Island Film and the set of “The Great Gatsby” Television Office, with the starring Robert Redford. surge in television and film However, back then projects projects. Our members can now count on steady like “The Great Gatsby” were “Local 251 and Steven few and far between. Feinberg really worked close- work from this industry and a better life for “We hit a dry spell for ly with the state government their families.” awhile,” Silva said. “But since to create a film incentive — JOSEPH BAIROS, SECRETARY-TREASURER OF LOCAL 251 1997 I have had steady work program that would attract in this industry and we have studios to Rhode Island,” really seen a big increase in Silva said. “This program and projects recently.” similar programs in other With the help of the gov- on the set during production Silva is currently the states have really helped to ernment and the union, Fein- of the feature “Underdog” transportation captain on slow runaway production.” berg’s office spearheaded the starring Jason Lane as the passage of a competitive film voice of the title character. incentive program, brought Teamsters are now preparing more than $100 million in for their next Disney feature- revenue to the state, created length film, “Dan in Real been a Teamster for 23 years breaking offer of $675,000. 1,000 jobs and has renovated Life,” starring Steve Carell, and also married for 23 years. When asked what he is going three facilities in the state to Juliette Binoche and Dane Record Breaking Offer to do with his newly acquired handle film and television Cook. windfall, Sollena said he was going With the help of his wife Denise, production full time. “We worked very closely to take his family on a vacation to 40, his 16-year-old twin daugh- with Steve Feinberg at the Italy, make some investments and Getting the Job Done Film Commission to bring ters Alexandra and Ariel, and buy himself something he always brother-in-law James, Sollena “Rhode Island has done a production here to Rhode wanted: a yellow Corvette. great job getting projects Island,” said Joseph Bairos, then had the task of eliminat- “I am so thrilled. Not only ing the remaining 25 cases. into the state,” said Danny Secretary-Treasurer of Local am I a big winner on ‘Deal or No Allen, a member of Local 251. “Our cooperative efforts After a pre-determined number Deal,’ I am also a winner as a 251 who has been working led to our state’s film incen- of cases were opened, Sollena Teamster. As a member, I have a in motion picture and televi- tive program and we have was repeatedly offered sums of great health plan, strong benefits sion for 11 years. “Because seen an unprecedented influx cash in exchange for what might and job security,” Sollena said. of the film office’s and of film and television pro- be contained in the briefcase of “And whenever I have a problem union’s efforts, we have duction. Our members can his choice. To avoid the risk of on the job, I can always count on good-paying jobs right here now count on steady work pushing his luck too far, Sollena my local representatives to be in this industry.” from this industry and a bet- ended up accepting a record- there for me.” Local 251 members were ter life for their families.”

www.teamster.org | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2006 | TEAMSTER 5 TEAMSTER NEWS

orkers in Dallas and San “These were good deals,” hand and member of Local 745. Antonio employed by said Danny Carpenter, shop “I am happy to know that when Texas WGES Exposition Services steward for Local 745. I retire things will be a lot better and Dallas workers at Freeman Most of Locals 657 and 745 than when I started.” Companies unanimously rati- trade show members work part Triumph fied new contracts recently. The time with sporadic schedules Workers Covered three-year agreements cover dependent on the number of Local 745 members won a Big Benefits for Members about 181 workers in Dallas trade shows or conventions in health care plan where the and 100 in San Antonio. The town. Previously, they did not company contributes a set bargaining units include driv- have employment-based health amount per hour worked ers, warehouse workers, check- insurance or a retirement savings and workers can make pre- ers, helpers and forklift opera- plan. For this round of negotia- tax contributions. Coverage tors. Locals 745 in Dallas and tions it became critical for them includes medical care, vision, 657 in San Antonio engaged in to secure these benefits. dental, disability and group joint negotiations with GES, “We were committed to mak- term life insurance. Employers’ while Local 745 negotiated ing significant improvements,” payments to the health plan with Freeman Companies. said Don Prda, a 37-year freight are $0.50 per hour worked in

Made In America TV Show Honors the American Laborer

ohn Ratzenberger’s name may not be familiar, but everyone Jknows the loveable, know-it-all postal worker named Cliff Clavin he played on the hit show Cheers. And Ratzenberger knows a thing or two about the American worker. The Emmy-nominated actor now crisscrosses the country, explor- ing American-made products for the Travel Channel’s Made in Amer- ica. Each episode of Made in America spotlights the wide variety of products made in the U.S.—from snow blowers to rubber bands—and the workers who make them. we’re all connected in the great tapestry of America,” Ratzenberger Ratzenberger has always had a fondness for labor. Growing up, said. “We need to take action for the sake of our kids and grandkids.” his mother worked in a factory and his father was a Teamster who Hidden Costs drove a truck for Texaco. Ratzenberger grew up appreciating his par- Ratzenberger is concerned that Americans don’t often think about the ents’ work, and this appreciation has stayed with him over the years. implications of their purchasing decisions, and this can have a major Teamsters in the Spotlight effect on communities across the country. “Factory workers and other manual laborers really are the backbone “When someone buys a T-shirt that’s a few dollars cheaper of our civilization and I felt there should be an audience applauding because it was made in China, they don’t realize that it ends up cost- them,” Ratzenberger said in an interview with Teamster Magazine. ing them more,” Ratzenberger said. Made in America has showcased many union companies over “It’s a domino effect. People need to know that it’s not a few the past few seasons, including Teamster sites like Sikorsky, Pepsi, bucks saved. It’s going to have an impact. But people aren’t yelling Budweiser, Louisville Slugger, Tillamook Cheese and others. Ratzen- loud enough so politicians can hear. We need to make sure it doesn’t berger is moved by the spirit of the American worker, but is deeply reach a point where it’s too late, where we’ve become completely concerned with the recent surge in outsourcing and what this may dependent upon Chinese manufacturing,” Ratzenberger said. mean for the future. Made in America airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on the Travel Chan- “Whether you’re a bricklayer, a carpenter, or a construction worker, nel. His new book, “We’ve Got It Made in America,” is in stores now.

6 TEAMSTER | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2006 | www.teamster.org the first year, $0.90 per hour worked in the second year and $1.25 per hour worked in the third year. Local 745 members can also participate in a 401(k) through payroll deductions. “This is the biggest gain in 40 years for Dallas area trade- show workers,” said Randy Thorn, a business agent for Local 745. “We have longed to get a 401(k),” said Paul Cruz, Trust- a retirement plan.” tive days of work. GES wanted ence Grievance Committee. ee of Local 657. “Given how Local 657 prevailed in two premium pay to be based The company wanted to move the industry functions in San other areas. First, members on a workweek. Also, Local to an arbitration system that Antonio, it made more sense preserved premium pay start- 657 ensured that grievances would have been less desirable to concentrate on establishing ing on six and seven consecu- remained in the Texas Confer- for members.

TEAMSTER-MADE Local 200 Members Make Snap-on Tools

isconsin is well-known as the home to a variety of classic to putting out a high quality product,” said Dan Campbell, a business WAmerican products—like Harley-Davidson motorcycles and agent with Local 200 in Milwaukee. Miller beer—but Milwaukee, Wisconsin is also home to some lesser- known products that have a reputation within the industry for reli- Superior Workforce ability, strength and power. More than 330 Teamsters with Local While the products are known in the industry for their quality, it’s the 200 in Milwaukee manufacture these powerful products at Snap-on workers behind these products that make them superior. Incorporated. “We take a lot of pride in what we do,” said Rich Paul, Chief Snap-on Incorporated, headquartered in Milwaukee, was founded Steward with Local 200 and a machine operator at Snap-on for 24 in 1920 and is now a $2.4 billion, S&P 500 company whose products years. “We formed a union with the Teamsters almost a decade ago can be found in more than 150 and we’ve seen nothing but improve- countries. Snap-on specializes in ments ever since,” Paul said. the manufacture and marketing of Paul recalls that in his years with power tools. Sockets, wrenches, Snap-on, three non-Teamster union spark plugs, air ratchets and campaigns took place with no results. more are made in Snap-on’s Conversely, the workers voted to become Milwaukee facility by a dedicated Teamsters by a solid 75 percent. Teamster workforce. “We have a strong sense of pride “The tools made at Snap-on here to get a quality tool out to profes- are high-end, high quality prod- sional mechanics, and we are good at ucts. And if I had to describe getting this product out. I’ve been in the Teamsters at Snap-on, I’d other unions before, but I see nothing describe them the same way. They but positives ahead with the Teamsters,” are hard working and dedicated Paul said.

www.teamster.org | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2006 | TEAMSTER 7 UNITE FFOROR A SECURESECURE D FUTURE Teamsters Kick Off Contract Negotiations at UPS

ENERAL PRESIDENT JIM HOFFA kicked off the UPS national contract negotiations in mid-September, vowing to protect members’ pensions and protect health care for workers and retirees. The UPS contract that covers more Gthan 215,000 union members nationwide is the largest private-sector labor agreement in the United States. “Our members have told us that protecting pensions and health care are their top priorities,” Hoffa said. “We will tackle these critical issues before addressing other key issues such as work rules, safety and wages.” Hoffa serves as chairman of the union’s UPS National Negotiating Committee, along with Ken Hall, Director of the union’s Parcel and Small Package Division. “Our members know that they cannot count on the government to solve the pension and health care crises in the United States,” Hall said. “We must address these issues at the bargaining table, and we will do that.” The national UPS contract expires on August 1, 2008. Hoffa and Hall said they are confident the union will be able to negotiate a contract that protects its members while allowing UPS to grow. However, they made it clear that the union needs to guarantee that its members’ pen- sions and health care are protected. “Our members’ interests are paramount—we will only accept an agreement that builds on our past achievements at the bargaining table,” Hoffa said. ‘Two-Person’ Approval Two weeks after the negotiations opened in Detroit, more than 300 local union leaders who represent Teamsters at UPS met in Washington, D.C. to review and unanimously approve non-economic national UPS contract proposals.

www.teamster.org | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2006 | TEAMSTER 9 During remarks opening the “two- The non-economic proposals were “Our members person” meeting—in which two repre- submitted to UPS during the second day sentatives from each UPS local union of negotiations in early October. UPS also know that they meet—Hoffa said UPS is in a solid finan- submitted its non-economic proposals to cial position to negotiate a contract that the union’s negotiating committee. cannot count on protects UPS members’ pensions and other benefits. Pressing Issues the government to “The best news about UPS: they have The non-economic issues address safety money,” Hoffa said. He noted that the and health, working conditions, subcon- solve the pension 2002 contract negotiated by the union was tracting, the company’s use of technology worth $10 billion. and other areas. Both sides will review and health care “We’re going to set a record this time,” each other’s proposals and discuss the he said. issues during a future meeting. crises in the United Hoffa also hailed the union’s recent Following the second day of negotia- card-check agreement at Menlo, now tions, Hall reiterated that pensions and States. We must called UPS Cartage Services, and the health care are the most pressing issues. union’s efforts to help FedEx workers gain “We are very, very serious about negoti- address these issues a stronger voice. He also said the UPS ating pension and health care issues early,” Freight campaign is going well, with nego- Hall said. “We plan to hold meetings in the at the bargaining tiations for a first contract in Indianapolis coming weeks with representatives of the under way. relevant funds to prepare proposals which table, and we will Hall said UPS is making record profits, address our members’ goals. Our members putting the union in a strong position to need to know as soon as pos- do that.” negotiate a strong contract. sible that they and their fami- – KEN HALL, DIRECTOR OF THE TEAMSTERS “The more money they make, the more lies will remain secure while PARCEL AND SMALL PACKAGE DIVISION money we’re going to get for the people who working at UPS and after made that money for them—Teamsters,” they retire.” Hall said. Meanwhile, local unions have begun the negotiating process for supplements, riders and addendums—the agreements that address local issues. Hall and Hoffa have appointed Denis Tay- lor, President of Local 355

10 TEAMSTER | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2006 | www.teamster.org UPS Freight Update in Baltimore, to coordinate the renegotiat- Workers Submit Contract Proposals ing of the local agreements. he newly organized UPS Freight workers from Local 135 in Indianapolis Union leaders will meet with company Tgathered recently to provide valuable guidance for their future contract. officials to draft a schedule of upcoming About 50 of the new Teamsters met on a recent Saturday at the Local 135 meetings. Once meeting dates have been union hall and submitted proposals about wages, better work rules and t determined, information about the meet- need for a grievance procedure. he ings will be posted on the Teamsters web Parcel and Small Package Director Ken Hall and Assistant Freight Director site: www.teamster.org Gordon Sweeton, who are leading the union’s UPS Freight negotiations, attend- ed the proposal meeting along with General President Jim Hoffa. Local Proposal Meetings “They did a great job explaining the issues,” said David Osborn, a 20-year Before negotiations began, local unions employee of UPS Freight/Overnite. “We were looking to them for guidance because across the country held contract-proposal most of us don’t have a union background. We know they have a better understand- meetings to get members’ input. ing of the various issues.” For example, more than 300 Teamsters UPS bought Overnite last year and has since renamed it UPS Freight. from Local 767 in Forest Hill, Texas dis- Earlier this year, the union won a car cussed contract proposals, learned about d-check and neutrality agreement at UPS Freight and the union kicked off the campaign in Indianapolis the pension fund and asked questions. “We had a great turnout, one of the under the jurisdiction of Local 135. In largest in the Southern region. It really early August, an arbitrator confirmed gave our members a better understanding that a majority of the 125 workers of the issues going into negotiations, and at UPS Freight in Indianapolis had signed authorization cards to join Local 135. In early September, the Teamsters began negotiations with UPS Freight for a first contract. Osborn, who was elected a stew- ard to represent city drivers, said he’s looking forward to addressing ways to restrict management from changing work rules on a daily basis. Contract Power “We can’t continue to let the company change the work rules every day,” Osborn said. “A Teamster contract can address that. The company won’t be able to do whatever they want to do.” For example, the company is not recognizing seniority rights and is not fol- lowing route procedures, Osborn said. When the Teamsters led an unfair labor practices strike against Overnite from October 1999 until October 2002, Osborn said he went out on strike for the duration. During the strike, he worked for two Teamster-represent nies, USF Holland and then Alvan Motor Freight, Inc. ed compa- “I got to see first-hand what the union can do for you,” Osborn said. “I’m looking forward to working under a Teamster contract again. It’s something I’ve waited for for a long time.” Jesse Nicholson, the steward representing road drivers, said many of his coworkers are worried about having a secure retirement and having affordable health care. The Teamsters will address those concerns, he said. “It feels good being a Teamster,” Nicholson said. “I feel good inside knowing that I’ve got somebody behind me. I felt like a puppet on a string at Overnite. Now I feel like I have somebody backing me up.”

www.teamster.org | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2006 | TEAMSTER 11 we got a lot of good input,” said Wesley Jenkins, President of Local 767. Ken Wood, Teamsters International Union Vice President and Southern Region UPS Negotiating Committee Chairman, attended the meeting to explain the sometimes-complicated NLRB Rules negotiating process to members. “Ken did a great job talking about Workers Have what we’re doing with negotiations and about how the members can get Right to Unionize involved in presenting their own pro- he Teamsters efforts to win a strong voice for posals for the contract,” Jenkins said. TFedEx workers got another boost recently when Many of the members in atten- the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) made a dance, like union steward Mark Acker, main topic of discussion, other issues like ruling that could have wide-ranging effects. have 25 years or more on the job. He seniority rights were also mentioned. The NLRB ruled that full-time, regular part-time came to see the pension presentation by The gathering provided the opportu- and swing drivers at two Wilmington, Massachu- the Central States Funds. nity for members to go up to the micro- setts FedEx Home Delivery locations are direct phone and ask questions, discuss con- employees under the company’s business model A Chance to Learn cerns and express what they’d like to see and have the right to seek union representation. “With the way things are with the addressed in the negotiations. The ruling is the seventh time since 1988 that national economy and with companies “To me, that’s what a union is all the NLRB has found drivers at FedEx Home Delivery dumping pension plans, I figured I about—different voices. People should should take the opportunity to learn come to these meetings and get involved,” are direct employees despite the company’s asser- about the pension. The other members Acker said. “Union leaders don’t know tion that they are “independent operators.” First also wanted to learn more about how what we are thinking unless we tell them. I Region NLRB Director Rosemary Pye ruled that due the pension works, and Central States think more meetings like this would help to the control and restrictions enforced by FedEx explained it well,” Acker said. to build more solidarity and gain more on drivers in the Home Delivery division, they are Although pension funds were the input from the membership.” employees within the meaning of the National Labor Relations Act. “This is a great victory for these workers in

Wilmington,” said Jim Hoffa, Teamsters General President. “These rulings are exposing FedEx’s underhanded business model, designed to deny thousands of hardworking employees benefits they deserve as direct employees.” In accordance with the decision, Local 25 in Boston will begin the process for scheduling an election under the NLRA guidelines. This is the sec- ond ruling by the NLRB this year that found FedEx Home Delivery drivers in Massachusetts are direct employees. “The FedEx Ground model has been proven to be wrong again and again,” said Sean O’Brien, Local 25 President. “These drivers don’t want any more false FedEx promises. The company must admit the drivers are employees and respect their rights.”

12 TEAMSTER | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2006 | www.teamster.org UPS Clerks Vote to Rejoin Teamsters PS clerks, who had been represented by the Teamsters as a center. The judge made the same finding with regard to any other Uresult of the 2002 contract negotiations but whose union status facility where the international auditors and ODC/FDC clerks were was thrown into disarray following an administrative law judge’s ruling previous “unrepresented.” early last year, have overwhelmingly voted to rejoin the Teamsters. The judge went on to find that, in some cases, international work The ODC/FDC clerks, as well as some international auditors, was originally assigned to and performed by bargaining unit employ- voted 115-9 to be represented by the Teamsters under the UPS ees, was subsequently removed from the unit by UPS and assigned national bargaining agreement after the secret mail ballots were to non-unit employees, and then was returned to the unit after the counted in early September. 2002 negotiations. “The overwhelming vote clearly shows that these UPS employees Union Appeals recognize the benefits of being Teamsters,” said Ken Hall, Director The union appealed the administrative law judge’s decision to the of the Teamsters Parcel and Small Package Division. “We’re very NLRB. The board accepted the union’s argument that the vast major- pleased with the outcome.” ity of clerks had performed bargaining unit work before the 2002 One clerk from Local 89 in Louisville summed up the importance contract. As a result, the board limited the decision and required the of the vote. union to demonstrate that the clerks in five locations wanted to be “I have been a union employee before and it was critical that we represented. Instead of affecting almost 2,000 clerks, the decision were successful in this campaign,” clerk Lora Wright said. “Without affected approximately 197 workers. Those workers voted in recent the Teamsters to represent us we would have lost the benefits of a weeks, leading to the outcome in early September. Teamster contract.” The vast majority of the workers belong to Local 89 in Louisville; Case History others belong to Local 63 in Covina, California; Local 449 in Buffalo, The issue surfaced early last year, when the National Labor Relations New York; Local 623 in Philadelphia; and Local 769 in Miami. Board (NLRB) administrative law judge found that the Teamsters and As a result of the vote, these workers have reaffirmed their UPS unlawfully extended recognition and the national contract to desire to be Teamsters and protected by a collective bargaining ODC/FDC clerks and international auditors. agreement. They will now be restored to the bargaining unit and have The judge based his decision on the fact that these workers in all the wage and benefit improvements they received as a result of Louisville had never been represented by the Teamsters nor had the 2002 National UPS contract restored and protected for the term bargaining-unit members ever performed this work at the Louisville of that agreement.

www.teamster.org | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2006 | TEAMSTER 13 In his 37 years at Miller Brewing Compa- tiations. It was a long process but we kept we all won good contracts. The com- ny’s Fort Worth, Texas brewery, Carl War- morale high and stood together to win munication we maintained between our ner has seen millions of bottles of beer, what we needed at the bargaining table.” bargaining teams made certain that things but he has never seen more contentious The three contracts increase wages, turned out well and our members are very contract negotiations than during the access to health care coverage and secure pleased with the contract.” recent bargaining with the company. pension plans for some 1,400 packaging, Although negotiations were sometimes “These were hotly contested negotia- distribution, maintenance, brewing and contentious, there were areas where the tions, probably the worst I’ve seen since engineering workers who are members of Teamsters and Miller reached mutually I’ve been here,” said Warner, a member of Local 997, Local 391 in Greensboro, North beneficial compromises. Until the final the workers’ bargaining committee and Carolina and Local 986 in Los Angeles. day of the contract negotiations at the Ft. Vice President of Local 997 in Fort Worth. “These are strong victories for Team- Worth and Eden facilities, the company “Negotiations had always been a give and sters working at Miller,” said Jim Hoffa, demanded that employees pay $200 per take in the past. This time the company Teamsters General President. “The com- month to be covered by the company’s wanted to take and didn’t want to give pany tried to slash health care benefits and health insurance plan. Union negotiators, anything.” we stood up to those threats and refused however, offered to convert the members But three ingredients made the final to back down.” to a union health plan, which would product more palatable, Warner said: provide members with solid health care workplace solidarity, alliances forged with Three Contracts insurance and save the company millions workers in international unions, and coor- “Over the years our members have worked in insurance costs over the term of the dinated bargaining among the three locals hard to enable Miller to improve its mar- contract. that represent workers at Miller breweries ket share,” said Jack Cipriani, Director of “We’re committed to preserving the in Fort Worth; Eden, North Carolina; and the Brewery and Soft Drink Conference. jobs of our members at Miller,” Cipriani Irwindale, California. “It’s only fair that the workers receive pay said. “Unfortunately, at other breweries in “The International Union was incred- and benefits that recognize their efforts.” the U.S., other unions have allowed sub- ibly helpful during negotiations,” Warner “Bargaining with Miller was extremely standard contracts that include drastic said. “They sent assistance to our plant hard this time,” said Jerry Putnam, Secre- cuts in seniority and enable the company and secured key information during nego- tary-Treasurer of Local 997. “But I think to dramatically increase health insurance TEAMSTER

14 TEAMSTER | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2006 | www.teamster.org premiums. We weren’t going to stand for “Experienced workers were removed Throughout the negotiations with that for Teamster members.” from their jobs,” said Katishi Masemola, the company, local and Brewery and Soft General Secretary of FAWU. “The SAB- Drink Conference leaders examined strat- International Relations Miller executives insisted that their newly- egies and compared notes, sharing infor- Because Miller Brewing Company automated plants required that employees mation and securing what the workers was influenced by powers around the pass certain skill level tests—training for wanted in their new contracts. world—the brewer is a subsidiary of Lon- which was not offered to our more senior Even though the facilities in North don-based South African Breweries Miller members.” Carolina, Texas and California are labeled (SABMiller)—the Teamsters recognized “Masemola inspired us to be very cau- as Miller plants, union negotiators realized that they had to think globally to secure tious of how the company tries to intro- that SABMiller was working behind the strong contracts. duce new automation into the plants,” scenes, attempting to implement deep cuts “Companies like SABMiller require Cipriani said. “Learning how SABMiller is in workers’ pay and benefits. new, global strategies for bargaining,” intent on utilizing machinery and reduc- Negotiators and workers stood together Hoffa said. “Since being bought by SAB, ing its workforce to cut costs and increase during negotiations, with strong support Miller is no longer the national beer brand productivity was important. We need to from the workforce, who showed their soli- we knew that was based in Milwaukee. gather as much information as possible darity at meetings and in the workplace. In response, we mobilized new, stronger about our employer.” “When we wore our T-shirts that said tactics to unite our members in this latest ‘It’s Teamster Time at Miller’ you could round of contract negotiations.” All Together Now really feel the union strength in our The union secured the support of “We immediately met with our stewards at brewery,” said Pat Hendrix, an employee unions in the United Kingdom and South each of our three breweries and conducted at Miller’s Eden brewery and 28-year Africa. The Food and Allied Workers Union a member survey about bargaining priori- member of Local 391. “Our goal was to (FAWU), which represents 5,000 employees ties,” Cipriani said. “The results showed that stay focused and unified. We wanted to at SAB plants in South Africa, offered Team- the top concerns were protecting shift and make sure we won good pensions and ster members support and shared experi- departmental seniority; maintaining current health care. These contracts prove that ences of how the company’s cost-cutting has health benefits; improving current pension with solidarity and leadership we can get had a negative effect on workers. benefits; and improving wages.” the best Teamster contracts.” AT MILLER Workers, Brewery Conference Fight Corporation’s TIME Aggressive Cost Cutting, Secure Solid Wages and Benefits

www.teamster.org | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2006 | TEAMSTER 15 aVerne Purifoy, a casino with sisters throughout the United States ter of ceremonies. worker from Local 372 in and Canada. “You are strong women and you are Detroit, has only been a “It's vital that we encourage more stronger together,” said Johnson, opening Teamster for two years. female members to get involved in their the event. “You truly make a difference Purifoy has always believed in union so that they can help all members every day. You are the future of the labor the stereotype that unions are achieve a better life," said Jim Santangelo, movement.” ruled and run by men. President of Joint Council 42. "That's why Hoffa also took to the lectern, commend- She found out she was wrong at the sixth I'm so proud that this event has grown ing the members on their participation in Lannual Teamsters Women’s Conference. every year.” the union. He urged them to help other “I thought the union was mostly men. women achieve a higher standard of living. I didn’t realize the power that women have Memorable Speakers “Every year more and more women in the Teamsters,” Purifoy said. “I can’t The conference featured a variety of want to be here because we’re the Team- wait to get back to Detroit to tell all the special guest speakers, including Gov. sters—we’re changing, growing and get- women there about this conference.” Janet Napolitano The 2006 Teamsters Women’s Confer- (D-AZ), Rep. Ed ence took place at the Wyndham Hotel in Pastor (D-AZ), downtown Phoenix. The four-day con- Teamsters General ference was designed to educate, inspire Secretary-Trea- and promote leadership among Teamster surer Tom Keegel women through a series of speakers, pan- and Teamsters els and educational workshops. General President This year’s theme, “Teamster Women Jim Hoffa. Con- Making a Difference,” celebrated women’s ference Coordina- achievements in the workplace and in tor and Women’s the labor movement. For more than 750 Caucus President members who attended, the conference Cheryl Johnson was an opportunity to join in solidarity served as the mas-

16 TEAMSTER | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2006 | www.teamster.org Difference MAKING A MORE THAN 750 Teamster Women GATHER FOR Women’s Conference

ting bigger and stronger,” Hoffa said. “We get—a decent salary and health care.” can talk all day about equality and the Gov. Napolitano also urged the crowd same pay for the same job, but where do to do whatever possible to work for we get that? It’s called a Teamster improvements. contract.” “Raising the minimum wage, creat- When he spoke, Keegel noted that ing jobs, providing quality child care and strong diversity language had been adopt- health care—these are the issues that mat- ed at the Teamsters Convention in June ter. Make sure these issues are discussed. and stressed the importance of member We’re counting on you to make a differ- involvement. ence,” Napolitano said. Teamster Power A Strong Presence “Teamster power is in this room,” Keegel Purifoy hasn’t been a Teamster for long, said. “We want to reach out to all of our but she was impressed by the dynamism “You truly make a members. I challenge you to fight for our of the speakers and felt encouraged to get difference every day. sisters and brothers, for the future and for more involved. the next generation. Fight for what’s right, “Being a Teamster woman does mean You are the future of for justice and for dignity.” power, like Mr. Keegel said, and I feel that the labor movement.” Rep. Pastor spoke on the third day of power here. I feel lucky to be here and — CHERYL JOHNSON, MASTER OF CEREMONIES the conference. He has served 11 years to be able to take back home what I’ve in Congress and was recently elected to learned to make a difference,” Purifoy said. another term. He called on the members “Teamster Women Making a Differ- to take action in their own communities. ence,” the theme of the conference, was Women are becoming an increasingly “We need to change the course of this reflected in the panels, workshops, and strong presence in the work force and the country,” Pastor said. “You need to make the event as a whole, which had the largest labor movement. By the year 2014, women sure your colleagues have a safe environ- turnout in its history. are projected to comprise 47 percent of ment and get the benefits they should The large turnout comes as no surprise. the total work force. They will account for

www.teamster.org | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2006 | TEAMSTER 17 and their families. have come and gone. Today, Cianci is cel- ebrating 30 years as a UPS driver, and is Working for Change proud that she is the UPS employee with Joan Somer, an office manager the highest seniority in Canada. with Local 705 in Chicago, is Cianci urges women to get involved in a 40-year union member who their union to make a difference for future has been a Teamster for the generations, just as she did. past 10 years. Somer notices “Share what you’ve learned here and the changes in working condi- work for change,” Cianci said. tions for women since she first entered the work force. The Future Generation “Women are now in non- Veteran Teamsters like Cianci have made traditional jobs—like truck the difference, paving the way for future driving. These women had generations of women—women like to fight for this, but with Joanne Schuler. the support of their union, Schuler, a UPS driver and member of 51 percent of the increase in labor growth they have been able to work in these jobs Local 79 in Tampa, Florida, is thankful for between 2004 and 2014. Yet, the average alongside men. Their struggles have made the women that have come before her and woman still makes 77 cents for every dol- a difference for future generations,” Somer for her union. lar earned by a man. Union membership, said. “I don’t think I would be at UPS as however, has proved to make a key differ- There are few women who understand long as I have been if not for the Teamsters ence in the lives of women. Women who the struggles that women have had to face there to reinforce me and watch out for are union members make about 34 per- better than Kathy Cianci, a UPS driver and me. I feel lucky to have that protection,” cent more than nonunion women. member of Local 879 in Ontario, Canada. Schuler said. Members at the conference shared the In her early days on the job, as a This feeling of gratitude for those who improvements that union membership has woman working in a male-dominated have paved the way, and the desire to make achieved in their lives. They also expressed industry, Cianci faced difficult working a difference for the future, has led many a desire to use their power as Teamsters to conditions and harassment. Many of the Teamster women to this conference. help improve conditions for other women men Cianci worked with over the years Lillian Sanchez, a hospital worker

2006 Teamsters Women’s Conference Workshops: • The Teamsters Did What?: The • Overcoming the Anxiety of Fascinating History of Your Union Public Speaking • A Woman’s Guide to Investing • Grievances, Arbitrations: Effective for Retirement Grievants, Witnesses and Advocates • Trade Your Fear for Awareness: • New Teamster? What You Need to A Personal Safety Workshop Know About Your Union • Building Respect and Dignity • Putting Together a Newsletter: in the Workplace Tips for a Professional Looking • Find the Strength from Within: Publication A Guide to Internal Organizing • Focus on Women: Proactive Strategies • Building Teamster Power: What to Live Longer and Healthier Lives One Teamster Woman Can Do • Labor Issues = Women’s Issues

18 TEAMSTER | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2006 | www.teamster.org with Local 912 in Watsonville, California, recently became a shop steward so she could help other women. She came to the conference this year for the first time “It's vital that we encourage more because she wanted to learn more about female members to get involved in her role in the union. their union so that they can help “Women in my workplace are afraid to speak up to management. This conference all members achieve a better life. teaches us not to be afraid, that we can step That's why I'm so proud that this up as a group and not alone,” Sanchez said. event has grown every year.” Sanchez is not alone. On the other side of — JIM SANTANGELO, PRESIDENT OF JOINT COUNCIL 42 the country, Pat Evans wanted to learn how to speak for the women at her workplace. That’s why the shop steward with Local 97 in a newsletter, build respect in the work- play. After a schedule packed with speak- Union, New Jersey came to Phoenix. place and overcome the anxiety of public ers, panels and workshops during the day, “I’ve recently become active as a shop speaking, among other topics. members from across the U.S. and Canada steward and I came to learn more about “I enjoyed the workshops because I explored Phoenix at night. Many members my role. This conference has encouraged came here to learn as much as I could gathered at the Sisters’ Saloon, located in me to want to do more and learn more,” about my rights. I’ve done that, and now I the Wyndham Hotel, where karaoke was a Evans said. will go home and advise my coworkers on big hit, and the women took to the dance what their rights are,” said Gillian Puleo, a floor. Valuable Skills member of Local 847 in Toronto. “You can feel the bonding and the More than a dozen workshops were held “I am learning a lot about the union support that everyone has for each other over two days, providing members with here,” said Tess Lewis, a member of Local here,” said Becky Saffell, a steward with the opportunity to learn about a variety of 396 in Covina, California. “I learned my Local 92 in Canton, Ohio. “There’s not a topics useful in their locals, the workplace one voice is a big voice. Now I know how stranger here.” and the community. to use that voice, thanks to the great public Teamster members left the conference Workshops included information on speaking workshop.” having made new friends and great mem- how to invest for retirement, put together However, it wasn’t all work and no ories, and with the confidence that they, too, can make a difference. A Bright Future As for the future, the majority of members believe that organizing is key to bring- ing more women into the union. They believe that the more members there are, the higher the standard of living will be, so that all citizens of the U.S. and Canada can lead improved lives. “As members, we are all organizers. We need to bring more women into the union who don’t have the benefits that we have, so that they can have those benefits as well,” said Mary Elizalde, office manager for Joint Council 39. Becky Belton, a steward and Trustee with Teamsters Ontario, Canada Women’s Caucus believes the future is nothing but bright for Teamster women. “We’re just going to get stronger as more and more women take active roles in their union. And women are feeling more confident now in doing that,” Belton said. “It’s not just a boy’s club anymore.”

www.teamster.org | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2006 | TEAMSTER 19 ORGANIZING In the Mix Lattimore Workers Organize with Local 745, Break Industry Barrier

or Texas’ concrete indus- ing campaign at 19 company That can’t happen with a Dignity and Respect try, new meaning has locations. Teamster contract.” Another chief issue of Flikely been brought to the Silva’s viewpoint is echoed concern among Lattimore old saying that there is a first A Secure Future by his coworkers as well. workers was fairness in the time for everything. “We’ve all worked really hard “They said they were giv- workplace. Recently, 373 workers at on this,” said Kris Taylor, an ing us a raise but, by taking “The Teamsters will make Lattimore Materials Inc., assistant business agent at away the bonuses, what we sure Lattimore workers are a Redi-Mix company with Local 745. “It’s been in the really got was a pay cut,” said treated with the respect and facilities across North Texas, works since late 2005 and I’m Randy Rhoades, a seven-year dignity they deserve,” said voted to organize with Dal- really proud of what we’ve driver at Lattimore. “When Taylor. “We understand that las-based Local 745, making accomplished here because the organizing campaign first negotiations are always chal- Lattimore the first concrete we’ve done something that began, the company pulled lenging for everyone involved company in the state of Texas hasn’t ever been done.” out all the stops. They gave to unionize. The workers’ main con- us a raise, gave us our safety “I’ve been looking for- cern was job and benefits bonus back and put out a “We’ve all worked ward to being a Teamster for security. lot of literature. But we saw really hard on this. a long, long time,” said Gon- “We chose the Teamsters through the propaganda. zalo Silva, a seven-year driver for job security and retire- We know that, without the It’s been in the at Lattimore. ment,” said Silva. “The com- Teamsters, they can just take works since late The victory followed an pany took away our safety it back at any time.” 2005 and I’m really intense six-month organiz- bonus and our haul bonus. proud of what we’ve accomplished here because we’ve done something that hasn’t ever been done.” — KRIS TAYLOR, LOCAL 745

but, with the Teamsters, work- ers don’t have to worry about whether or not they’ll get a fair deal. The Teamsters bring with them 103 years of knowl- edge about how to negotiate a good, just contract.” The victory impacts a variety of workers, includ- ing mixer drivers, batch men, loader operators and mechanics.

20 TEAMSTER | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2006 | www.teamster.org LOCAL 747 board members switched in recently voted 4-1 to join LOCAL 439 January, the benefits haven’t Local 339. Cape Air been stable and the work The workers at SPE Util- Tulare Transport ore than 100 pilots at rules have changed on a daily ity Contractors LLC in Port orkers at Tulare Cape Air recently voted basis,” said Robbie Best, a Huron, Michigan, are seeking Transport in Stockton Mto become Teamsters. business agent with Local respect on the job. There are Wrecently voted 11-5 to “I was very happy and 773. “The wages were also seven workers in the bargain- join Local 439. There are 15 relieved the pilots elected the substandard and we needed ing unit. workers—all truck drivers— Teamsters,” Capt. Walter Kyle to get everything in writing “Respect is the very, very in the bargaining unit. said. “The overwhelming to protect these five workers.” top issue,” said Dale Taylor, a The workers are seeking majority wants to move for- business agent at Local 339 in job security, more affordable ward and make it work.” LOCAL 633 Port Huron. “Because of the health insurance and fair wages. The pilots joined together lack of respect, there has been Local 439 has had several to fight for consistent work Rockingham County a revolving door of workers meetings with the workers rules and fair pay and ben- eputy sheriffs in New leaving.” and contract negotiations are efits at the regional airline. Hampshire’s Rocking- Taylor credited Joint under way. “This certainly was a sat- Dham County recently Council 43 with making the isfying victory,” said Capt. voted unanimously to join campaign a success. LOCAL 690 Bill Fields, Cape Air pilot. Local 633. “We will meet soon to “We look forward to working The 15 deputy sheriffs negotiate a strong contract Bonner General Hospital with our union brothers and joined the Teamsters to ensure for these workers so that they urses at Bonner General sisters to improve working at better health and welfare ben- win the respect they deserve,” Hospital in Sandpoint, Cape Air.” efits, job security and a voice Taylor said. NIdaho recently voted to “The Teamsters look within the municipality. join Local 690 in Spokane, forward to representing “They wanted what LOCAL 439 Washington. Cape Air pilots,” said Don everyone wants,” said David The 111 nurses are seek- Treichler, Teamsters Airline Laughton, Secretary-Treasur- Pacific Coast Industries ing a formal grievance proce- Division Director. “This vic- er of Local 633 in Manches- ith two recent organiz- dure, a consistent disciplinary tory is a direct result of the ter, New Hampshire. “They ing victories, Local 439 policy and a say in hospital Teamsters Union’s reputation wanted the protections that Win Stockton, California, policy regarding patient care. of providing strong repre- come with union member- has nearly 100 new members “The main concern for sentation for workers in the ship so that they can have a and continues to make orga- the nurses was being able to airline industry.” secure future.” nizing a top priority. have a voice in the workplace Treichler added that the The victory was a result Workers at Pacific Coast to effect positive change and union will soon initiate the of the joint efforts of Joint Industries in Tracy, Califor- to make a better hospital for process of beginning contract Council 10 of New England nia, recently voted to join the community,” said Val Hol- negotiations. and Local 633’s organizing Local 439. The workers man- strom, President of Local 690. department. ufacture parts for Toyota. The The nurses have tried sever- LOCAL 773 Roger Travers, an orga- 80-member bargaining unit al times in recent years to orga- nizer with Joint Council 10, includes workers who make, nize. This latest effort was suc- West Penn Township said the workers won in the package and ship the parts. cessful thanks to the work of ublic works employees face of fierce opposition. “Respect and dignity are Local 690 in conjunction with in West Penn Township, “The administration took the workers’ top concerns,” Joint Council 28 and Interna- PPennsylvania recently every road every which way said Pablo Barrera, Local tional Union organizers. voted unanimously to join to stop this but, in the end, 439 organizer. “Workers get The nurses are now the Local 773 in Allentown, we prevailed,” Travers said. terminated for any arbitrary only employees out of the Pennsylvania. “When push came to shove, reason. There is no job secu- nearly 400 workers at Bonner The new Teamsters work we stood up and we got what rity whatsoever.” General who have union rep- primarily maintaining the was deserved.” “The company hired a resentation. roads and parks in the town- team of union busters to “The nurses’ committee ship. LOCAL 339 fight the organizing effort,” is elated by the outcome of The main issues leading Barrera said. “Our volunteer the election and they’re look- to the union vote were poor SPE Utility Contractors LLC organizer did a great job, and ing forward to working with benefits and working condi- ffice clerical workers we also got assistance from management to negotiate a tions. at a utility contractor the International Union’s fair and equitable contract,” “Since the township Ocompany in Michigan Organizing Department.” Holstrom said.

www.teamster.org | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2006 | TEAMSTER 21 OR WILLIE HOWARD, A forklift operator with Ameri- Cold Logistics in Atlanta, going Taking The to work every day for the last 15 years has meant living in fear. F“I never knew walking into work whether or not I would have a job at the end of the day,” Howard said. Howard and his coworkers no longer have to worry. By more than a 3-1 margin, the 495 workers at five AmeriCold Logis- C I L tics warehouses in the Atlanta area voted H L to join Local 528. This is a major victory Out Of for the employees of the largest provider of temperature-controlled food distribution services in the country. AmeriCold “The workers wanted job security and a set grievance procedure,” said Don Toney, 495 Warehouse Workers President of Atlanta-based Local 528. “They wanted to be treated with the respect Now Represented By Local 528 and dignity they deserve. As Teamsters,

22 TEAMSTER | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2006 | www.teamster.org they will achieve the protections that they so desperately need in this job.” Local 528 launched an organizing drive more than a year ago, but the workers were unable to unionize. After the campaign, the company fired 43 workers. “This is why they want job security,” Toney said. “After the first campaign they realized they needed the protections that come along with forming a union.” “The handbook says that it’s not a The Secrets To contract, that you’re an at-will employee and can be fired at any time,” said Maurice Their Success Cobb, Local 528’s Secretary-Treasurer. Inoculation and Education Thwart “They needed a contract, and they’re Anti-Union Tactics going to get one—a Teamster contract.” For Anthony Isom, who has worked for the past three years. “We want respect hen putting together a winning at AmeriCold for four years, the day his and fair treatment. There needs to be an Wstrategy to form their union, the coworkers were fired was rough. improvement in the relationship with organizing committee enlisted the assis- “I knew these guys. We hung out at management and supervisors.” tance of Chuck Stiles, an organizer for the each other’s houses. They had mortgages The workers are also seeking changes to International Union. Stiles attended com- and their kids’ college bills to pay,” Isom the Labor Management System, a produc- mittee meetings in order to help inoculate said. tion standard many believe is unrealistic. and educate workers on the anti-union During the organizing drive last year, “It’s setting us up for failure is what it tactics the company would use to detract Isom noted that AmeriCold asked the is,” Harvard said. “They want 100 percent them from the issues, including: workers to give the company a chance, and all of the time, but there are crowded aisles l SCARE TACTICS: “The company will convinced enough people not to form a and other obstacles in our way. It’s not fea- use scare tactics to get workers off the union. sible. It’s like walking on eggshells in there. issues that matter,” Stiles said. “I told the “This year, they didn’t even try. They But there’s hope now that we won’t have to AmeriCold workers that the main distribu- thought they had it in the bag, but they take any more abuse.” tion hub is in Atlanta. If they try to tell you were wrong,” Isom said. that the company will shut down and move Hard Work Pays Off somewhere else, they are lying. Don’t be Respect and Fairness “Now we can see the results of all our hard afraid—they aren’t going anywhere.” After the vote, Local 528 held a cookout work,” Reid said. “This year we were more l for AmeriCold workers to celebrate their organized and we got together as a team, LEGAL INTIMIDATION: “The company victory. improved communication and laid it all hired the Jackson Lewis law firm, which “I feel really good to be here,” said Wil- on the line to make this happen.” I’ve dealt with before in other campaigns,” lie Reid, a nine-year AmeriCold employee. Harvard was one of the workers who Stiles said. “They cost a fortune per hour “I feel like we’re trailblazers. This will ben- worked last year to try to form a union. and they’re tough. I told the committee efit people for years to come.” Following the loss, Harvard persisted and that everything the lawyers do will be with The celebration provided the oppor- returned to Local 528 with his coworkers the intent of getting the committee’s eyes tunity for eager AmeriCold workers to to try once again. off the prize. They weren’t successful.” sign up to become members of Local 528, “We did it this time and it’s great we get l ANTI-UNION LITERATURE: “Every cam- as Georgia is a so-called “right-to-work” to celebrate our hard work,” Harvard said. paign has its share of anti-union litera- state. Local 528 also accepted contract And for Willie Howard, there is no lon- ture,” Stiles said. “I inoculated workers, proposals and put together a negotiating ger a fear of what the next workday may telling them what was coming down the committee. They will soon set dates to bring. pike, so they would know ahead of time begin negotiations on a contract. “You can feel at work that everyone what the company was going to do. The “A lot of issues were brought up as pro- feels good about their job now because committee knew what to expect and they posals,” said Twinton Harvard, who has there is hope,” Howard said. “There’s no knew they needed to stick together.” worked as a forklift operator at AmeriCold fear in smiling again. I feel really good.”

www.teamster.org | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2006 | TEAMSTER 23 STRIKING OIL OE RILEY HAS WORKED secutive years,” said Brad Slawson Jr., Secre- steward and 29-year Marathon employee. for Marathon Petroleum, a subsid- tary-Treasurer of Local 120. “We expected the “So many people came out immediately iary of Marathon Oil, for 28 years. company to thank the workers for their hard and really pulled for us. To see that many He has been a steward with Local work, but that was not the case.” people show up was really inspiring.” J120 in St. Paul, Minnesota for 20 of those Instead, company demands included Unions from Change to Win Minne- years. Today, Riley is happy to be back at cuts in vacation time and time off, as well sota along with Teamsters Joint Council 32 work after an end to the seven-week strike at as a rewriting of the grievance procedure. provided food to members forced out on the St. Paul Park refinery where he works. strike. AFL-CIO affiliates also lent a hand “I went back to work with my head held Community Rallies by delivering lunches to picketers, while high because I’m a Teamster,” Riley said. “I During the strike, the workers had the full the Amalgamated Transit Union Local cannot say enough about being a Teamster support of their community and beyond. 1005 donated $5,000 in gift cards to strik- —we fought for what is right and we won.” On August 26, a rally in support of the ing families. Riley was one of 170 employees who members drew almost 500 people to the “We couldn’t have done this without went on strike in response to Marathon’s suburb of St. Paul Park. More than 50 rep- the support of so many people,” Slawson demands for 25 pages of union conces- resentatives from a variety of labor, civic, said. “The community stood behind us, as sions. The company refused to bargain religious and political organizations came did the Change to Win federation, and so or modify their final offer, leaving the together to show their support. Guberna- many others. We had the additional sup- operators and maintenance employees of torial candidate Mike Hatch, Senatorial port of the International Union’s Strike the plant with no choice but to strike. The candidate Amy Klobuchar and numerous Fund, as well as our own strike fund, to workers had been without an agreement other state and local officials joined the help our members out until they could get since their previous contract with the picketers during the strike. Community the contract they deserved.” company expired in May. members held banners and signs, and The main issues that led to the company’s were successful in urging potential cus- Teamster Strength first strike in 60 years focused on everything tomers not to buy gas at Marathon-owned The strength of Local 120 went a long way from workplace safety to scheduling. stations. in the effort to get workers back to work “This is a multi-billion dollar oil company “The response was absolutely incred- under a fair and equitable contract. Local that had its highest profits in the last two con- ible,” said Ken Schwebach, a Local 120 120 is the largest Teamsters local in Min-

24 TEAMSTER | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2006 | www.teamster.org Community, Organizations Rally Around Workers ozens of groups, including civic, Dpolitical, religious and community organizations rallied around Marathon workers on strike. They provided picket line support and monetary assistance for the 170 workers. Some of the groups that lent their support to Local 120 members include: • The International Union’s Change to Win Minnesota partners • SEIU • UNITE HERE • United Food and Commercial Workers • Carpenters Local 120 Members Secure Contract, • Laborers Return to Work at Marathon Oil • Minnesota AFL-CIO • Minnesota AFSCME Local 2829 • Minnesota United Auto Workers nesota, representing more than 10,000 Other Highlights • Minneapolis Central Labor Union Council members in Minnesota and Iowa. The contract also enhanced both the vaca- • Minneapolis Religious Labor Network “From top to bottom at Local 120 and tion and sick time policy from what the • Minnesota Association of Professional the International Union, the entire Team- workers had before the strike and elimi- Employees Local 0501 sters organization was there for us and nated a company plan to cut the opera- • Minnesota Nurses Association every one of us was supported,” Riley said. tions department by 10 percent. Instead • Minnesota Teamster Joint Council 32 Just three days after the rally, the Team- of cutting jobs, the company will now hire Food Shelf sters and management reached a tenta- more employees. • United Steelworkers of Minnesota, tive contract agreement, overwhelmingly In addition, the members achieved Kentucky and Texas ratified by a 144-10 vote that concluded solid pay increases. The workers will • Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1005 on September 6. The members secured receive between a 3 and 9 percent pay • A variety of political leaders on the national, a three-year contract, including 32 areas increase in the first year of the contract, state and local level, including former Sena- of “key gains” for workers. The contract a 3.5 percent increase in the second year tor John Edwards, Gubernatorial candidate either amended or took off the table the and a 3.7 percent increase in the third Mike Hatch and Senatorial candidate Amy majority of Marathon’s demands for year. Marathon is also required to pay the Klobuchar member concessions. health and welfare benefits owed to the • The residents of Minnesota and other states A major gain in the contract protected members while they were on strike. with Marathon-owned gas stations time off for workers. Marathon’s initial “Our employees struck a monster of a demands would have left the 12-hour company. This is a major victory for the “I would like to thank the countless swing shift workers on call during 80 per- International Union, our local, and most individuals and organizations who cent of their days off. Workers would have of all, the workers who have returned back supported our members. The list been left with only 3 days in a given month to the job,” Slawson said. goes on and on when it comes to where they were not on call. Instead of Marathon’s employees are pleased to be the generosity and commitment being on call 80 percent of the time, the back at work having stood up to the com- to our workers.” workers are now only on call approxi- pany in order to earn a fair contract. Riley —BRAD SLAWSON JR., SECRETARY-TREASURER, LOCAL 120 mately 20 percent of the time. Marathon learned first-hand the value of holding out had wanted the reverse. for what he, as a worker, deserved.

www.teamster.org | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2006 | TEAMSTER 25 JUSTICE

DELIVEREDAFTER LONG DELAY, SUPREME COURT SIDES WITH DETROIT NEWSPAPER WORKERS

26 TEAMSTER | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2006 | www.teamster.org eeks after being fired for mare because the NLRB lacks teeth to publications and 21 television stations. picketing at a newspaper get its rulings enforced,” said Jim Hoffa, Knight Ridder is no longer in existence. distribution center in Teamsters General President. "We can’t While union officials worked hard Detroit, Doug McPhail, allow these companies to continue to vio- to win on a number of fronts, including 53, died of a massive heart late and then litigate their labor relations through the NLRB, they also waged a con- attack. Later, the NLRB policy. tract campaign that cost the Detroit dailies ruled that McPhail’s “Hundreds, including myself, were more than a third of their total circulation. picketing was a protected fired for conducting union protected activity and he had done activity,” said Shawn Ellis, a Local 372 Alternative Tactics nothing wrong. member who worked in circulation for the Some of the tactics used by the workers The Detroit newspaper strike began Detroit dailies and is now a regional train- included a nationwide boycott of Gan- Won July 13, 1995, and its effects are still er for the International Union. “And the nett papers, a weekly strike paper that was being felt today, especially by people like NLRB failed to support those who abided delivered for four years, and residential McPhail’s widow, Beverly. by the law while the dailies were allowed to and company picketing of offices across “Doug was a dedicated person,” she violate and then litigate its labor relations the country, including one in Plains, said of her husband of more than 30 years. policy. We have got to implement other Georgia. Former First Lady Rosalynn “He helped a lot of kids on that job. He legal maneuvers and strategies to battle Carter resigned more than a year early as worked many hours for that newspaper.” these large corporations.” a director at Gannett as a result of public Over the last 10 years, the McPhail’s During his tenure, Hoffa has developed pressure directed at her from newspaper youngest son married and two beautiful a stronger organization to help Teamster workers and support organizations. grandchildren have entered Beverly’s life members gain quality contracts across the The unions and their members had to to help offset her loss. country. depend on finding alternatives to battle “I miss him and he has missed so “What we have learned from the the huge company resources that were much,” she said near tears. unions and their dedicated memberships spent on hiring guards, public relations, After the strike, the NLRB overturned in the Detroit newspapers labor dispute and helicopters to fly newspapers from several firings at Detroit’s two daily news- is that during any set of contract negotia- production facilities to secret distribution papers. In early October, the U.S. Supreme tions, Teamster locals have to develop points. Court refused to hear an appeal by Gan- effective and strong contract strategies that Many were fired during the labor dis- nett, which was seeking to overturn the don’t rely on the NLRB for resolution,” pute. Even after the 17-month strike, a NLRB’s decisions on the strike. Gannett is Hoffa said. “To that end, the union now subsequent lockout was instituted by Gan- the nation’s largest newspaper chain and has a variety of services that can help local nett and Knight Ridder that lasted until was one of the big players in the strike. unions develop strategies as they enter mid-2001—54 months after the strike had The recent ruling comes nearly a local or national contract bargaining.” ended in February 1997. decade after 2,500 workers belonging to “Teamster bargaining teams and six unions at Detroit’s two daily news- Bitter Dispute elected officers must look at political influ- papers ended a 17-month strike and At the time of the dispute, Gannett owned ence, media relations, local and national returned to work. Of the unions forced the Detroit News while Knight Ridder Inc. customers, parent company interaction, out on strike, two Teamster locals—2040 owned the Detroit Free Press. Each com- among other avenues as they look for that and 372—were involved. McPhail was a pany had an interest in a Joint Operating ‘key’ that will open the door to a fair and big Teamster supporter. Agreement (JOA), which ran the business equitable agreement,” Hoffa said. “As you operations of each newspaper under the pull together each of these elements, the NLRB Rulings Detroit Newspaper Agency. company you are negotiating with will The labor board had ruled union members The two national newspaper compa- then fully understand that you are seri- didn’t violate any laws when they picketed nies began to spend tens of millions of ous about getting a strong agreement for entrances of the Detroit News and a dis- dollars to battle its workforce in one of members.” tribution center during two incidents in the most bitter labor disputes in Michigan “I don’t want to minimize the Supreme August 1996. Dozens were fired for partici- history. Court or the NLRB rulings for those that pating in each protest, including McPhail Currently, Gannett owns 91 daily it ultimately affects, however, the length of “Working families like the McPhails newspapers, including USA Today and the delay is much too supportive for corpora- shouldn’t have to go through this night- Detroit Free Press, nearly 1,000 non-daily tions,” Hoffa said.

www.teamster.org | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2006 | TEAMSTER 27 RAIL MAINTENANCE Appalachian and Ohio Workers Vote “Yes” for BMWED

28 TEAMSTER | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2006 | www.teamster.org rack maintenance Federation. “So we knew the priorities ties and ballast is part of the process, even employees of the were money and benefits. This contract on days where the temperature reaches Appalachian and Ohio makes sure that the insurance plan they 104 degrees. railroad recently rati- have now stays in place while also raising “We had a derailment of a CSX freight fied their first contract their wage rates.” car carrying coal,” Huffman said. “We are with the Brotherhood The wage increases during the lifting about 30 rails and putting them Tof Maintenance of Way Employes Divi- contract’s five-year term add up to a 19 onto a rail flatbed car,” Huffman said. sion by a unanimous vote. This is the first percent increase overall. Holidays were “We’ll bring them down past the switch union contract on the short line railroad increased, too, from six to eight days. and then push them up the hill in order to since being sold by Watco Companies. get to the derailment site.” “I am looking forward to better pay No Downtime in the Summer The rails, the heaviest 140 pound grade, and a set schedule of holidays,” said Dustin “With the contract, there will be an estab- were 40 feet in length. Working the crane Huffman, a trackman who has worked for lished headquarter point where the crew to lift the rails was Jimmy Henegar, one of A&O for the past 10 months. will report for work each day,” Brassell the men who was enthusiastic about having “This contract will provide an immedi- said. “We were successful in getting all of union representation. “It’s always better to ate increase in wages,” said Randall Bras- the trackmen, their foremen, operators have a union contract with its benefits, wage sell, Chairman of the BMWED’s Eastern and a signalman included in the contract. language and other protections.” Federation. “The contract language stan- Our aim was to have all of the non-operat- The A&O railroad has about 150 dardizes pay rates and gives employees ing crafts under the BMWED contract.” miles of track in West Virginia and carries access to a 401(k) plan.” The day after the contract ratification freight cargo from coal mines, warehouses “We asked the members what they vote, the new BMWED members were and plastic plants. Originally part of the wanted in the contract,” said Lenn Buck- working to clean up a train derailment in CSX railroad, the short line was recently ley, a Vice Chairman of the Allied Eastern Burnesville, West Virginia. Replacing rails, purchased by Four Rivers Corporation.

www.teamster.org | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2006 | TEAMSTER 29 IRB REPORT 98

had knowing and purposeful contact with him. General REPORT 98 TO ALL MEMBERS President Hoffa filed the charges against Mr. Kikes and OF THE INTERNATIONAL appointed a hearing panel. A hearing was held September BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS 15 and 16, 2005. Mr. Hoffa accepted the recommendation of the hearing FROM: Independent Review Board panel and permanently barred Mr. Kikes from the IBT or Benjamin R. Civiletti any other IBT-affiliated entity or Fund and from contact Joseph E. diGenova and association with officers, members, employees, repre- William H. Webster sentatives and agents of the IBT or any other IBT-affiliated DATED: September 5, 2006 entity or Fund. The IRB notified Mr. Hoffa and counsel to Mr. Kikes that it found the IBT decision to be not inad- equate. I. INTRODUCTION The IRB then made an application to Judge Preska for This is the Independent Review Board’s (“IRB”) Nine- review. New counsel for Mr. Kikes filed with Judge Preska ty-eighth Report to you on its activities conducted pursu- the objections of Mr. Kikes to the IRB’s application and ant to the Consent Order. In this Report, we will discuss on August 25, 2006, filed a Reply Brief in support of Mr. the status of pending charges about which we have previ- Kikes objections. The matter is with Judge Preska. ously informed you. B. JOHN CAPONE - LOCAL 295, VALLEY STREAM, NEW YORK II. SUMMARY OF IRB’S FIVE-YEAR REPORT We have previously informed you that Local 295 As has been done in the past, on August 9, 2006, the member John Capone allegedly brought reproach upon IRB issued a report to United States District Judge Preska the IBT by failing to appear for his scheduled in-person describing the activities of the IRB for the five-year period sworn examination. The Local 295 Executive Board held 2001-2006. During this IRB term, it recommended charg- a hearing on June 7, 2006, but withheld a decision until es against fifty-three Teamster members, nineteen of which after Mr. Capone’s rescheduled examination. On June 21, related to knowing association with organized crime mem- 2006, Mr. Capone appeared for his rescheduled examina- bers and refusal to testify about organized crime contacts. tion. On July 31, 2006, Local 295 notified the IRB that Other charges related mostly to non-organized crime fail- when Mr. Capone satisfies his current suspension, he will ure to cooperate, submission of false documents, providing serve a six month suspension from membership in Local false testimony, collusion with employers, associating with 295. The IRB has the matter under consideration. barred members, embezzlement and financial misconduct. C. GARY PROCTOR - LOCAL 614, The IRB also recommended that six Locals be placed into PONTIAC, MICHIGAN trusteeship. Five Locals were placed in trusteeship and the We have previously informed you that Gary Proc- sixth favorably worked out its problems under the guid- tor, an IBT member and employee of the International ance of the International Union. Union, Joint Council 43 and Local 614, allegedly brought In addition, two non-charge reports were issued con- reproach upon the IBT by knowingly associating with cerning Locals extracting money from benefit funds for a barred individual, Michael C. Bane, a former Interna- shared expenses. These Locals either revised or implement- tional Representative and the former President of Local ed new cost-sharing procedures and the IBT developed 614, who had been permanently barred from the IBT on new guidelines with respect to allocating Local expenses July 17, 2001. General President Hoffa adopted and filed to benefit funds. the proposed charges, and appointed a hearing panel. A

hearing was held on June 16, 2006. III. STATUS OF PREVIOUS IRB CHARGES On July 25, 2006, Mr. Hoffa permanently expelled Mr. Proctor from membership in Local 614 and the IBT and A. JOHN KIKES - LOCAL 78, HAYWARD, permanently barred him from holding office or accept- CALIFORNIA ing employment with the IBT or any IBT affiliate in any We have previously informed you that John Kikes, capacity. An IBT amendment to the decision prohibits Mr. International Representative and Local 78 President, alleg- Proctor from having any contributions made on his behalf edly brought reproach upon the IBT when, subsequent to to any IBT-affiliated benefit funds by any IBT-affiliated William T. Hogan, Jr.’s permanent bar from the IBT, he entities. The IRB has the matter under consideration.

30 TEAMSTER | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2006 | www.teamster.org IRB REPORT 98

D. EDMUND BURKE - LOCAL 631, LAS VEGAS, an Investigative Report to General President Hoffa who NEVADA adopted and filed the charges against Local 813 member We have previously informed you that Local 631 Secre- Robert D’Angelo for knowingly associating with members tary-Treasurer Edmund Burke allegedly brought reproach of organized crime. He then referred the charges back to upon the IBT and violated his fiduciary duty by failing the IRB for a hearing. The IRB held a hearing on April 19, to investigate or to act in response to Local 631 busi- 2006, and its decision is in process. ness agent Frank Incandella’s repeated admissions that he had contact with Dane Passo in violation of the Consent Order after Passo was permanently barred from the IBT. IV. TOLL-FREE HOTLINE General President Hoffa adopted and filed the proposed Since our last report to you, the hotline has received charges, appointed a hearing panel and a hearing was approximately 55 calls reporting alleged improprieties. held April 4, 2006. As in the past, all calls which appeared to fall within IRB Mr. Hoffa barred Mr. Burke for two months from office jurisdiction were referred for investigation. Activities which and employment, but not to affect his IBT membership. should be reported for investigation include, but are not After the IRB notified Mr. Hoffa that it found his April limited to, association with organized crime, corruption, 24, 2006, decision to be inadequate, Mr. Burke signed an racketeering, embezzlement, extortion, assault, or failure agreement in which he permanently resigned from all offic- to investigate any of these. es and activities in Local 631, and for two years he will not To assure that all calls are treated confidentially, the hold any officer position with any IBT-affiliated entity nor system recording hotline calls is located in a cipher-locked will he be an appointed Trustee of any IBT-affiliated entity during this period. The IRB found the agreement served IRB room on a dedicated line and accessed by IRB staff to resolve the matter. On August 9, 2006, Judge Preska only. It is not manned by an investigator; however, the approved the agreement. recorded information if complete and within IRB jurisdic- tion is forwarded directly to the Investigations Office. E. FRANK INCANDELLA - LOCAL 631, LAS Please continue to use the toll-free hotline to report VEGAS, NEVADA improprieties which fall within IRB jurisdiction by call- In the last issue of the Teamster magazine we informed ing 1-800-CALL-IRB (1-800-225-5472). If you are calling you that Local 631 member Frank Incandella allegedly from within Washington, DC, dial 202-434-8085. brought reproach upon the IBT and violated his member- ship oath when he subsequent to Dane Passo’s permanent bar from the IBT on May 29, 2002, had knowing and pur- V. CONCLUSION poseful contact with Mr. Passo. General President Hoffa As always, our task is to ensure that the goals of the filed the proposed charge and appointed a hearing panel. Consent Order are fulfilled. In doing so, it is our desire to The hearing is scheduled for September 8, 2006. keep the IBT membership fully informed about our activi- F. FLOYD JOHNSON - LOCAL 714, BERWYN, ties through these reports and also through use of our web- ILLINOIS site at www.irbcases.org. We have previously informed you that Local 714 mem- If you have any information concerning allegations of ber Floyd Johnson allegedly brought reproach upon the wrongdoing or corruption, you may call the toll-free hot- IBT by failing to appear for his scheduled in-person exami- line noted above, use the IRB facsimile number 202-434- nation. Local 714 held a hearing on August 15, 2006. 8084, or write to either the IRB Chief Investigator or the IRB office: G. DONNY ROBLES - LOCAL 714, BERWYN, ILLINOIS Charles M. Carberry, Chief Investigator We have previously informed you that Local 714 mem- 17 Battery Place, Suite 331 ber Donny Robles allegedly brought reproach upon the New York, NY 10004 IBT by failing to appear for his scheduled in-person exami- nation. Local 714 held a hearing on August 15, 2006. Independent Review Board H. ROBERT D’ANGELO - LOCAL 813, LONG 444 North Capitol Street, N.W. ISLAND CITY, NEW YORK Suite 528 We have previously informed you that the IRB issued Washington, DC 20001

www.teamster.org | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2006 | TEAMSTER 31 BREAKING MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY AWAY IS ON THE UPSWING IN TEXAS allas native Davie Beard has seen breakout drama—Prison Break. And “The Dallas area is serving as the his share of drama after more after working a series of movies and basis for the entire Midwest and Western Dthan thirty years on the job. And television shows like Walker, Texas U.S. for Prison Break,” Beard, a 32-year for some reason, he’s always heading Ranger and Dallas, Beard sees a big member of Local 745, recently said. “Our toward a crime scene. future for Texas and the motion pic- landscape is serving as Kansas, Nebraska, Beard, it turns out, is deep into ture and television industry. Utah and Mexico and it’s Teamsters who filming the second season of Fox’s are getting the job done.” Lone Star Resurgence Even though it is competing with the post-Katrina tax breaks of Louisiana to the East and tax incentive-laden New Mexico to the West, Texas is experienc- ing a resurgence in production with movies being filmed across the state. And in an often unfriendly labor environment, Texas Teamsters are making inroads in the industry with the help of the Teamsters Motion Picture Division. Leo Reed, Director of the Division, and Tony Cousimano, Assistant Director, recently negoti- ated an area standards agreement that ensures all work is being done on a level playing field. “The industry used to go nonunion for vans and other jobs and they were always missing pick up times, leaving actors stranded or tearing things up,” said Joel Morton, transportation cap- tain and a 26-year Teamster. “This new area agreement ensures all of the jobs are done by Teamsters. Everybody out here knows what they’re doing.” “This is just the beginning for us,” added Beard. “We’re breaking out in Texas.”

32 TEAMSTER | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2006 | www.teamster.org THE TEAMSTERS ARE Driving America’s Future

Find out more about this exciting program to build Teamster power on the web at www.teamster.org

8 | upsTEAMSTER | SUMMER 2005 | www.teamster.org TragedyWhen Hits

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Send your tax-deductible donations to: Disaster Relief Fund c/o International Brotherhood of Teamsters 25 Louisiana Ave. N.W. Washington , D.C. 20001