INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS MAY/JUNE 2008

Freight Members Step Up Workers Embrace Change, Overwhelmingly Ratify NMFA

nnn%k\Xdjk\i%fi^ in this issue 2 teamster News l UPS Freight 8 Freight Members Contract Ratified Step Up l Union Continues Teamsters Overwhelmingly Cross-Border Fight Ratify NMFA l DHL Workers Choose Teamsters 14 Teamsters l Union-Environmental Alliance For Change l Web Site Support Union Endorses Sen. Barack For Locals Obama For President 8

22 A New Era At 20 organizing l H&M Workers New Era Cap Join Local 71 Workers in Mobile, Alabama l Local 728 Welcomes Unanimously Ratify First Contract Bus Operators l Transit Workers Join 24 The Big Picture Local 528 Warehouse Division l Highway Department Holds Meeting Workers Vote “Yes” l RC Cola Workers 32 Teamster Hero Join Local 783 Local 174 Member Retires From Army Reserve At 60 30 court material 22 26 Bright Futures Past Hoffa Scholarship Recipients Make Good www.teamster.org International Brotherhood of Teamsters 25 Louisiana Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20001-2198 202-624-6800

The Teamster (ISSN 1083-2394) is the official publication of the International Brotherhood of Teamster, 25 Louisiana Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20001-2198. It is published six times a year in January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August, September/ October, November/December. Periodical postage paid at Washington, DC and at additional mailing offices. may/june 2008 / Volume 105, No. 3 © 2008 International Brotherhood of Teamsters. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without writ- ten permission is prohibited. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Teamster, Affiliates Records Department, 25 Louisiana Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20001- 2198. Subscription rates: $12 per year. Single copies, $2. (All orders payable in advance.) Members should send address changes to their local union. A MESSAGE FROM THE GENERAL PRESIDENT Teamsters For Change

he Teamsters Union endorsed Sen. ment fails to ensure that American-made cars Barack Obama for president because he and trucks receive fair treatment in the Korean is the candidate best suited to lead our market. We currently have an $11 billion country in the right direction and the deficit in automotive trade with Korea. Last only one who can correct the destruc- year, Korea sold 700,000 vehicles in the U.S. tive wrongs of the Bush administration. and the U.S. sold only 4,556 in Korea. The Our biggest consideration was who proposed South Korea agreement does not would be best for our members. Look- do nearly enough to enforce commitments by ing at Sen. Obama’s record on issues Korea to open up its market. Tdear to working families—such as his com- mitment to passing the Employee Free Choice Supporting Unions Act (EFCA) and his opposition to NAFTA— Trade, of course, is not the only reason why the choice was clear. I’ve had the pleasure the Teamsters Union has endorsed Sen. of having several candid conversations with Obama. He understands what working people Sen. Obama, many of them focusing on trade are going through. He will fight for passage of issues. There’s no doubt in my mind that he EFCA, an improved health care system, retire- has a genuine concern about our country’s ment security and good jobs. He will join us unfair trade policies and the hardworking in our commitment to rebuild our nation’s men and women whose livelihoods and transportation infrastructure and will make families are affected by them. appointments that make sense—people who will protect workers. In his administration, A Stronger America a President Obama will ensure our toys and Sen. Obama understands that America needs food are safe, that EFCA becomes law, that fair trade policies that will create a level playing trade policies don’t just benefit big business field with our trading partners. He understands and that working Americans are dealt a that the corporate race to the bottom has had fair hand. a devastating impact on our middle class and I am proud of our union’s support of our communities. Trade with foreign nations, Sen. Obama and will continue to stand with he has said, should strengthen the American him as he fights for a fair trade policy and economy and create more American jobs. other issues that benefit American workers. Take, for example, the South Korea Free Trade Agreement, which Sen. Obama opposes and Sen. John McCain supports. The agree- K<8DJK

UPS Freight Workers Ratify Contract More Than 9,900 Workers Covered Under Agreement

he Teamster ranks 90-day mark of our national swelled by 9,900 new campaign, 9,900 workers had Tmembers with workers signed cards. This shows the at UPS Freight overwhelmingly workers’ commitment in join- ratifying a contract with 89 ing a union that will give them a percent of the vote. The agree- strong voice in the workplace.” ment will improve wages, ben- efits and working conditions. The Contract The Teamsters kicked off this “We were committed to pro- organizing campaign in 2006 viding the best contract we when it organized UPS Freight could for these workers and we (formerly Overnite Transporta- have achieved that,” Hall said. tion) workers in Indianapolis The contract expires on July and negotiated a contract with 31, 2013. Among the contract’s the company that was ratified by highlights: a 107-1 vote last October. s Wage increases totaling $4.35 In January 2008, the Team- per hour, or nearly 11 cents a sters launched its nationwide mile, over the contract; campaign. Teamsters General s An improved health care plan President Jim Hoffa and Team- with lower employee pre- sters Package Division Direc- mium costs with no increases tor Ken Hall attributed the in costs to employees over the organizing success to the card- life of the contract; check agreement the Teamsters s Overtime pay for work exceed- nationwide. There are currently Union Pacific Railroad and won from UPS in 2006. ing eight hours per day or 40 more than 15,000 UPS Freight renamed UPS Freight. “The card-check agreement hours per week; and workers, with 12,600 eligible to gave the Teamsters the boost it s UPS Freight employees lock sign cards. The contract ratifi- 'PSNPSFJOGPSNBUJPOPOUIF needed to organize UPS Freight, inin their their current current pension pension cation caps a 50-year struggle 614'SFJHIUDBNQBJHO WJTJU and the workers responded benefits.benefits. by the Teamsters to organize XXXUFBNTUFSPSHJOGP overwhelmingly,” Hoffa said. TheThe Teamsters Teamsters will will continue continue workers at Overnite, which was VQTGSFJHIU “We were amazed that at the to organize UPS Freight workers bought by UPS in 2005 from

GENERAL EXECUTIVE BOARD

James P. Hoffa 7*$&13&4*%&/54 Fredrick P. Potter Jr. 5&".45&34$"/"%" $&/53"-3&(*0/ &"45&3/3&(*0/ 4065)&3/3&(*0/ 53645&&4 General President "5-"3(& 3400 Highway 35 Robert Bouvier John T. Coli Jack Cipriani Tyson Johnson Ferline Buie 25 Louisiana Ave. N.W. Randy Cammack Executive Plaza, Suite 7 President 5940 W. Montrose Ave. P.O. Box 35405 1007 Jonelle Street 2120 Bladensburg Washington, D.C. 20001 845 Oak Park Road Hazlet, NJ 07730 Teamsters Canada Chicago, IL 60634 Greensboro, NC 27425 , TX 75217 Rd. N.E. Covina, CA 91724 2540 Daniel Johnson Washington, D.C. 20018 C. Thomas Keegel Fred Simpson Suite 804 Patrick W. Flynn William Hamilton Ken Wood General Secretary- Fred Gegare 20300 Civic Center Dr. Laval, Quebec 4217 South Halsted St. 2845 Southampton Rd. 5818 E. MLK Jr. Blvd. Frank Gallegos Treasurer 1546 Main Street Suite 320 Canada H7T 2S3 Chicago, IL 60609 Philadelphia, PA 19154 Tampa, FL 33619 207 North Sanborn Rd. 25 Louisiana Ave. N.W. Green Bay, WI 54302 Southfield, MI Salinas, CA 93905 Washington, D.C. 20001 48076-4169 Tom Fraser Cheryl Johnson Daniel J. Kane Sr. 8&45&3/3&(*0/ Ken Hall 1890 Meyerside Drive 25 Louisiana Ave. N.W. 1308 Pierce Street J. Allen Hobart Henry B. Perry Jr. 267 Staunton Ave. S.W. George Tedeschi Mississauga, Ontario Washington, D.C. 20001 Rahway, NJ 07065 14675 Interurban Ave. S. 976 E. Brooks Ave. South Charleston, WV 25 Louisiana Ave. N.W. Canada L5T 1B4 Suite 301 Memphis, TN 38116 25303 Washington, D.C. 20001 Walter A. Lytle John Murphy Tukwila, WA 98168 Don McGill 2644 Cass Street 348 D Street Carroll E. Haynes 490 E. Broadway Fort Wayne, IN 46808 Boston, MA 02127 Chuck Mack 50 Calhoun Avenue Vancouver, B.C. P.O. Box 2270 New Rochelle, NY Canada V5T 1X3 Gordon Sweeton Oakland, CA 94621 10801 1601 Maiden Lane Joplin, MO 64802 Jim Santangelo 818 S. Oak Park Road Covina, CA 91724 ) K<8DJK

eamster voices are dim- He was especially angry that that cross-border trucking “The secretary and ming the prospects for the Transportation Depart- would help the U.S. economy. Tthe Bush administra- ment failed to put measures in He pointed out that the U.S. her counsel will not tion’s illegal pilot program place to make sure that every had a trade surplus with Mexi- have the last word. opening the border to trucks truck would be checked. co before NAFTA was enacted. from Mexico. “We don’t know that every “Last year we had a $75 bil- The Congress will Very few Mexican trucks are truck has been inspected every lion trade deficit with Mexico,” have the last word.” now traveling into the U.S. interi- time,” he said. “There will be he said. He cited a long list of or, according to John Hill, Federal consequences for this.” companies that have moved — SEN. MARK PRYOR (D-AR) Motor Carrier Safety Adminis- Sen. Mark Pryor (D-AR) their operations to Mexico. tration chief. Because there’s so had the same message. “The “The Teamsters Union has little interest in the pilot program, secretary and her counsel will been a constant critic of the government won’t be able to not have the last word,” he said. NAFTA. We were right. We’re draw any valid conclusions about “The Congress will have the hemorrhaging jobs.” 'PSNPSFJOGPSNBUJPOPOUIF it, Hill said. The reason for the last word.” Meanwhile, the 9th Circuit TUBUVTPG.FYJDBOUSVDLT program’s failure? Hill blamed The day before the Com- Court of Appeals continued BOEXIBUUIF5FBNTUFSTBSF the Teamsters. In a newspaper merce Committee hearing, to consider the union’s request EPJOHPOUIFJTTVF WJTJU interview on March 6, Hill said Teamsters General President for an injunction stopping the XXXGJSFNBSZQFUFSTDPN companies were reluctant to buy Jim Hoffa took on Peters’ claim program. insurance for their trucks when they expected the program to shut down. That’s because the Team- sters haven’t let up in their fight against opening the borders to trucks from Mexico. The battle shifted to Capitol Hill during February and March. In hearing after hearing, Transportation Secretary Mary Peters faced angry members of Congress who told her she was breaking the law by keeping the border open. Congress last year passed a law cutting off funding for the pilot program. Peters ignored Congress and refused to put the brakes on it. “There Will Be Consequences” Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) excoriated Peters for her arro- gance in defying Congress during a special hearing of the Senate Commerce Committee.

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Part And Parcel DHL Workers in Michigan and Ohio Choose the Teamsters

n two elections held in early March, nearly 400 Iworkers at DHL facili- ties voted overwhelmingly to join more than 12,500 fellow workers in the DHL system as Teamsters. “I was in a truck when the vote count came in,” said David Corwin, a package handler at the DHL sort center in Niles, Michigan. “I jumped up and not against them,” said Ted Hall, “Without a doubt, we said Gary Mendenhall, a sort down and said, ‘Man, this is a package handler. “We want worked hard for this,” said maintenance mechanic. “As great.’ At first I thought we were our company to succeed. As Genee Neal, a package handler. Teamsters we can negotiate just going to barely make it but Teamsters, we’re looking to have “We know that as Teamsters together for things that matter the vote wasn’t even close.” some things guaranteed for us.” we will have a voice to protect here in Wilmington.” By a 258-46 margin, the “This is a great victory for our interests in the workplace.” The workers seek stronger approximately 370 workers in these DHL workers and I am wages, affordable health care Niles chose to join Local 299 proud to welcome them into Gateway Victory coverage, job security and on- in Detroit. The workers seek our union,” said Kevin Moore, In votes counted just before the the-job respect. stronger wages, affordable Local 299 President. “We have Niles workers’ election, 19 sort “I am proud to welcome health care coverage, job secu- a strong history of represent- maintenance mechanics and these DHL workers into our rity, safer working conditions ing DHL workers and we will tech reps at the DHL gateway union,” said Roger Insprucker, and on-the-job respect. work together to see that these in Wilmington, Ohio voted President of the Ohio Confer- “At a meeting last week, we workers and their families have 17-2 to join the Teamsters. ence of Teamsters. “As Teamsters, told our managers: this vote was a voice at DHL.” “This is a great win for us,” we will work to not only enhance the livelihood of these workers and their families, but we will also fight to make DHL a strong and positive presence in our 4BWF5IF%BUF Wilmington community and in 8)"55FBNTUFST8PNFOµT$POGFSFODF the industry.” 8)&/4FQUFNCFS  “Forming a union makes 8)00QFOUPBMM5FBNTUFST things fair and puts us on an even level with DHL,” said 8)&3&'POUBJOFCMFBV)PUFM .JBNJ±TJOHMFPSEPVCMF Darrel Allen, a sort mainte- SPPNPDDVQBODZ)PUFMSFTFSWBUJPOTNVTUCFNBEFCZ+VMZ$BMMBOEBTL nance mechanic. GPSUIF*#58PNFOµT$POGFSFODFSBUF )08.6$)$POGFSFODFSFHJTUSBUJPOJTQFSQFSTPO5IFSFHJTUSBUJPOGFFXJMMCFXBJWFE 'PSNPSFJOGPSNBUJPOPOUIF GPSUIPTFXIPSFHJTUFSCZ+VOF %)-DBNQBJHO WJTJUXXX 'PSNPSFJOGPSNBUJPO WJTJUXXXUFBNTUFSPSH UFBNTUFSPSHSFTPVSDFT EIMFYQSFTTEIMFYQSFTTBTQ

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With the vote, 40 of the 55 Jack Cipriani, International Apex, Carrboro, Morrisville, officers who work in Raleigh’s Vice President and President of Garner, Jacksonville, Wilming- Rally in Statehouse became the latest Local 391. ton and Leland to their roster. group of law enforcement offi- Cipriani, other Local 391 All the police officers are Raleigh cers in North Carolina to affili- officials and Sgt. Rick Arm- seeking better retirements and ate with the Teamsters. strong of the Raleigh Police an “Officers’ Bill of Rights” that State Capital Police “Police officers are join- Department recently met codifies their personal rights in Join Teamsters ing the Teamsters primarily with State Capital Police offi- all aspects of the job. Currently because they hope the union’s cers to welcome them to the there is no uniform standard orth Carolina’s State clout in Raleigh and Wash- Teamsters. The Raleigh Police in the state for officers’ rights. Capital Police officers ington can help them achieve Protective Association was the Without such a standard, police Nrecently voted to join better lives for their families first law enforcement group to officers risk becoming subject Greensboro-based Local 391. and better retirements,” said join the Teamsters from North to legal action through their Carolina. Armstrong is the performance of regular police RPPA President. duties. “We saw the difference that The Teamsters are com- the union made for other public mitted to lobbying local and employees and wanted some of state government to improve that power for ourselves. We are working conditions for public already seeing the dividends of employees. our affiliation,” Armstrong said. 'PSNPSFJOGPSNBUJPOPOUIF Other Victories 5FBNTUFST-BX&OGPSDFNFOU After the Raleigh victory, other -FBHVF WJTJUUIFJSXFCTJUFBU departments began contacting XXXUFBNTUFSPSHEJWJTJPOT Local 391 officials. The local has QVCMJDTFSWJDFT5-&-UMFMBTQ since added police officers from

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Employee Rights Affirmed Judge Orders News-Press Owner to Obey the Law

anding a major victory was a rebuke of vindictive to eight fired reporters management policies and a Hat the Santa Barbara victory for courageous edito- News-Press, a federal judge rial writers who were punished ruled that Wendy McCaw, the for exercising their basic right paper’s multi-millionaire owner to organize,” said George Tede- and co-publisher, repeatedly and schi, International Vice Presi- flagrantly broke the law trying dent and GCC President. to keep the Teamsters out of her Administrative Law Judge newsroom. William Kocol denounced The News-Press newsroom the “flagrant nature of the voted 33-6 in September 2006 violations in this case” and to reinstate the eight and “make sympathizers and stop intimi- to join the Graphic Commu- McCaw’s “widespread, general them whole” for lost benefits dating, threatening, harassing, nications Conference (GCC), disregard for the fundamental and pay, with interest. He said disciplining, firing and spying a division of the Teamsters rights of the employees.” the News-Press must discard on employees who showed sup- Union. “The judge’s decision Judge Kocol ordered McCaw bad evaluations given to union port for the union. Web Help Teamsters, Unions-America.com Help Locals Create Web Sites

he Teamsters Union and by Teamster members and will Unions-America.com carry a GCC union bug. Thave joined forces to “More and more our mem- provide web site building and bers are turning to the web for hosting services to all Teamster their news, to have their voices locals. The TeamsterActive sys- heard on critical legislative tem makes it easy for any local issues and to build solidar- union to create and maintain ity with other Teamsters. It its own web site. The system is important that our locals requires only basic computer utilize this vital technology to skills—if you can send an more fully involve and engage e-mail you can use this system. our members,” said Jim Hoffa, TeamsterActive operates Teamsters General President. completely over the Internet, The TeamsterActive system so locals do not have to pur- has been designed to make cre- chase or learn expensive new ating and updating web sits as web site layouts and developed software. Plus, Unions-Amer- simple and inexpensive as pos- a variety of color schemes to 7JTJUUFBNTUFSPSHUFBNTUFSBDUJWF ica provides 24/7 tech support sible. Locals can even choose choose from. Local unions can GPSNPSFJOGPSNBUJPOBOEUPTJHO and training. Unions-Amer- to have Teamsters Union news also choose the features they VQGPSBOPOMJOFEFNPOTUSBUJPO ica.com is a GCC Teamster headlines and press releases want and populate the site with employer, which means that all automatically update on their their own content so every site sites created in the Teamster- pages. will have a professional design Active system are union made Designers have created four and local flavor.

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Can you talk a little bit about 25 different states. All the drivers Eighteen: The Culture the process you went through I met were very open and gra- to get these photos? cious enough to share their sto- That Moves Us The book took me five and a ries. I think they saw that I was Daughter of Teamster Documents Truckers’ half years to photograph. At genuinely interested. We talked Lives in Photo Book first, I just photographed when- about everything from family ever I took a trip to see my life to politics—they had a lot to im Reierson didn’t get doing a book. It was after a few mother from east to west coast say and found it refreshing that to see as much of her road trips across the U.S. that and back. Then as my project there was someone (other than KTeamster dad as she it dawned on me what the spe- turned from personal to public, another driver) who wanted to would have liked growing up cific attraction was: My father I spent months at a time driving hear it all. because he was a long-haul had been a truck driver. Since around to different states. I out- trucker. But when she started he was a long hauler, I didn’t fitted my car with a CB radio 'PSNPSFJOGPSNBUJPO  taking photographs of truckers see much of him and I think and with a Rand McNally Road WJTJU3FJFSTPOµTXFCTJUFBU and their environs years later, subconsciously I wanted to Atlas and set off to drive to over XXXLJNSFJFSTPODPN a labor of love turned into a find out what his life as a driver book documenting the lives of must have been like. After these unsung heroes. Teamster spending five years off and on magazine talked to Reierson documenting these men and recently about her photography women drivers, I realized that book, “Eighteen: A Look at the this wasn’t just a personal proj- Culture That Moves Us.” ect, but something I needed to share with the public; to make What influence did your them aware of the importance Teamster father have on this these drivers have on every- project? one’s daily life. Everything we When I first started taking have, inside and out of our photos of truck stops and driv- homes, has been brought by a ers, I wasn’t thinking about driver.

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Workers Embrace Change, STEP UP Overwhelmingly Ratify NMFA

O PAT WOLFMEYER, a 24-year freight Teamster, union leaders who negotiated the National Master Freight Agreement succeeded on many levels despite the tough economic times facing the freight industry. “The negotiators took care of our health, welfare and pension benefits, which were my top priorities,” said Wolfmeyer, a USF Hol- Tland city driver and member of Local 600 in St. Louis. “They did that by secur- ing record contributions from employers. On top of that, we also got solid wage increases and they maintained the COLA (cost-of-living adjustment).” Bill Kellerman, a hostler at Yellow Transportation who is a member of Local 375 in Buffalo, New York, agreed. “We maintained our benefits, including health care, without any cost to us,” Kellerman said. “What we got is almost unheard of today. I think General Presi- dent Hoffa and National Freight Division Director Tyson Johnson are doing a great job.” Teamster freight members overwhelmingly ratified the 2008-2013 NMFA that protects existing Teamster jobs, maintains a strong wage and benefit package and provides new language to allow the largest unionized carriers a chance to better compete, which will give Teamsters more job security. “This is a landmark contract because we won many economic gains despite this poor economy, and we have taken steps to allow the largest unionized compa- nies a better chance to compete against the nonunion competition,” Johnson said. “This contract provides a more secure future for the 70,000 Teamsters and their families covered by the NMFA,” Hoffa said. Record Turnout The NMFA was ratified by a 67 percent margin. On top of that, 60 percent of the freight members covered by the contract cast ballots, a record number. The strong gains include unprecedented employer health, welfare and pen- sion contribution increases of $5 per hour over the life of the agreement, and wage increases of $2.20 per hour and 5.5 cents per mile over the life of the agree-

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The following is a summary of the key changes in the national COLA maintained. The 2008-2013 agreement maintains the contract. improved COLA language that was first negotiated in 2003 and paid the first COLA to freight members in more than 20 years dur- PAY, BENEFIT INCREASES AND IMPROVEMENTS ing the 2003-2008 contract. Health, welfare and pension. The union negotiated record employer contribution increases over the life of the agreement, Education and training. For the first time, the negotiating com- sufficient to maintain and possibly improve existing health and mittee was able to secure a $250 payment for those employees welfare and pension benefits for the vast majority of members who complete CDL training and certification under the new and retirees. The record settlement of $5 per hour in the agree- agreement. ment was hard fought as the union resisted the employers’ demand of co-pays for health and welfare. The sick leave benefit period was changed from a contract year basis to a calendar year basis beginning in 2008. This means Wages. The wage package provides increases of $2.20 per hour and members will benefit from additional sick leave in 2008 as the 5.5 cents per mile over the life of the agreement, including 50 cents five days for the first year will be granted from April 1 to Decem- per hour in the first year. This will result in hourly rates in excess of ber 31, 2008. In addition, sick leave will be paid on the first day $24 per hour in most parts of the country by the final year. of absence in all parts of the country rather the third day, which was prevalent under some supplements. Overall economics. When you take the health, welfare and pen- sion contributions and the wages into account, it translates into Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The employer may an average increase of 3.9 percent each year of the contract. not force an employee to use pre-scheduled vacation time as Not including any overtime or COLA payments, a typical NMFA FMLA leave. Employees, who have taken separate hours of driver will see roughly $14,000 more during the next five years unpaid leave for medical reasons, cannot be forced to substitute of the proposed agreement with most hourly rates in the area accrued leave for FMLA leave if the employee is receiving sup- of $24.50 by the end of the contract. Employer benefit contribu- plemental loss-of-time disability benefits from a benefit plan. tions will go up more than 35 percent over the same period, which makes the total compensation of the package in excess of Jury duty. Employees selected for jury duty whose shifts begin $40,000 over the life of the contract. after 4 p.m. will not be required to report to work.

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HE LAST TWO ELECTIONS for President of the United States have been excruciat- ingly close. They both came down to a small number of votes in a few key areas. The 2008 election is shaping up to be another close one. The power of 1.4 million Teamsters can swing this race in favor of someone who actually cares about working families. Think how different the last eight years would have been if the White House was occupied by a president who did not sim- ply cater to big business. With the endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama, the Teamsters Union recently took a bold step to make the next four years better for America’s workers. As the last two elec- tions made clear, though, simply casting a ballot on Election Day is no longer enough. “Years from now, our members will be able to look back on this time, right now, and say they were part of history. That they helped elect President Barack Obama,” said Jim Hoffa, Teamsters General President. “Every one of our 1.4 million members has the abil- ity to make an impact on this race. Now more than ever is the time to put someone in the White House who has always genuinely cared about organized labor, even through his early days in the Illinois Statehouse.” The Right Person for Members When the Teamsters Union endorsed Sen. Barack Obama for president, it was only after the union was sure he was the right person for the members. The decision was reached after thorough research, interviews and polling. The conclusion is that Obama is the can- didate best suited to lead the country in the right direction and the only one who can right the destructive wrongs of the past eight years. Shortly after the endorsement, Teamsters mobilized officers and members around the country to make a difference in this important election. “We knew getting into this race that Obama faced extraordinary challenges,” Hoffa said. “I’ve had the pleasure of having several candid conversations with Barack, many of them focusing on trade issues. There’s no doubt in my mind that he has a genuine con- cern about not only our country’s trade policies, but about the hardworking men and women whose livelihoods and families are affected by them.” Every bit of this primary fight, and every bit of the general election, will be an uphill battle in showing people how important it is for the United States to have trade policies that take American workers into account, and how our current policies affect nearly every facet of our lives.

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Commercial Driver Licenses/Personal Vehicle Violation Relief: Teamsters who incur serious traffic offenses while driving personal vehicles face suspension or revocation of their commercial driver license (CDL) driving privileges. This provision was part of the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act that passed the Congress and was signed into law in 1999. The Teamsters Union is urging Congress to review this law and will continue to work to ease these onerous restrictions.

Aircraft Maintenance Outsourcing: Major U.S. domestic air carriers dramatically increased outsourcing in recent years, and now spend nearly two-thirds of their maintenance dollars on contract repair stations here and abroad. Foreign repair stations are not required to have the same number of FAA-certificated mechanics, or the same security rules, as airline-owned repair facilities in the U.S. Team- sters Union mechanics are urging Congress to impose a moratorium on any further outsourcing of aircraft maintenance by the country’s airlines until there are uniform maintenance standards both here in the U.S. and abroad, and proper FAA oversight, because current practices endanger passenger safety and national security.

Visit www.teamster.org to learn more about the above issues, plus learn about what the Teamsters Union is doing on these issues: • Trade policies that work for workers; • Overtime pay for drivers; • RESPECT Act; • Federal prison industry reform; and • Background check uniformity/redundancy.

www.teamster.org | maY/JUNE 2008 | TEAMSTER 19 Teamsters about why they should also support Obama and what Ford is no stranger to political campaigns. He has organized the U.S. might become under an Obama presidency. volunteers in the past and even drove people to the polls. “I’ve been watching Obama’s career for some time so I know “I think Obama can bring camps together better than the where he stands on the issues. Obama is for labor and I am a part other candidates,” Ford said. “I think he can bring people together of labor, so the fit is right for me. I’ve been passing out literature, so that we can get some agreement on the health care issue so that talking to other Teamsters, knocking on doors and trying my someday we can have universal health care.” hardest to make a difference,” Pryor said. “Every Teamster out “I think Barack Obama will be better for working people there has an opportunity to make a difference in this election.” everywhere, not just union members,” said Fred Crow Jr., a redi- “Obama is on the right track. He’s for keeping jobs in the mix worker and member of Local 436 in Valley View, Ohio. “We country, and that’s just one of the reasons I’m going to different can’t afford four more years of a republican in the White House.” worksites trying to educate other Teamsters on why to vote for “I am supporting Barack Obama because of his message of him,” said Anthony Burns, a business agent from Local 703 in change,” said Gregory Vaughn, a C&K Chicago. Industrial Services worker and Trustee of “Any time you have Americans struggling to pay the mortgage Local 416 in Cleveland. “Obama will be a and can’t stay afloat, or when jobs are leaving the country, some- great president. I don’t believe any candi- thing has to be done. That’s why I’m involved,” Burns said. “You date out there now has an agenda for the can’t just talk about what should happen in this country to make people, except Barack Obama.” things right again. You have to get involved.” “Obama understands the challenges working people face every day,” Hoffa A Voice said. “He is the candidate in the best posi- Matthew Ford, a member of Local 507 in Cleveland, recently had tion to lead our movement to restore the the opportunity to see Obama speak at a rally in Ohio. “I really American dream for working people in like the way Obama inspires the crowd, and his platforms and this country. He understands the impor- his views,” Ford said. “I think the biggest thing about Obama and tance of giving workers a voice at work working families are the tax incentives and tax breaks that will and will fight for strong unions to help actually go to working families.” rebuild America’s middle class.”

Minimum Wage: Teamster members generally make more than the -FHJTMBUJWF1SJPSJUJFT minimum wage, but all workers should have an opportunity to earn a Teamsters 2008 Legislative Priorities living wage from their hard work. The Teamsters Union will support legislation to increase the minimum wage to $9.50 per hour by 2011 for the 110th Congress and then make the minimum wage subject to an annual adjustment. Health Care: Now is the time to make universal health care a reality. Teamsters have always been a powerful presence in the halls of Eighty percent of the nearly 47 million uninsured Americans are from Congress, making sure our elected leaders pay attention to the working families. Quality, affordable health care for all Americans needs of working people. This year will be an especially busy one as must be a priority for this Congress. many issues close to labor will be decided on Capitol Hill. Here are a few of the issues the Teamsters Union will be working on in this Retirement Security: We must ensure that all Americans are pro- legislative session. vided with retirement security and work to reverse the decline in defined benefit pension plans. More than 40 percent of working Employee Free Choice Act: The Teamsters will continue to fight for families are in danger of not having enough retirement funds to passage of this important bill. A bipartisan coalition reintroduced ensure an adequate standard of living. the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) in February 2007 (S. 1041 and H.R. 800) and the House bill passed by a 241-185 vote. The act would Rail Safety: The Teamsters Union is concerned that rail workers strengthen protections for workers to choose to form a union. continue to be injured and killed on the job as a result of lax safety regulations and/or little or no enforcement of laws already on the Mexican Truck Pilot Program: The Teamsters will continue to fight to books. H.R. 2095, the Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act of keep our borders closed to unsafe Mexican trucks. Mexican trucks 2007, which passed the House last year, makes significant strides in and drivers have not met all safety requirements, especially hours of improving rail safety. service, drug and alcohol testing, and hazmat background checks. Colombia, Panama, and South Korea Free Trade Agreements: These Worker Misclassification: Worker misclassification puts the free trade agreements are almost identical in every way to previ- economic and retirement security of working families at risk. By ous agreements that follow the flawed NAFTA/CAFTA model. There misclassifying workers as “independent contractors,” the employer are insufficient labor and environmental protections, and the FTAs evades basic federal and state labor standards and tax obliga- would encourage U.S. companies to move overseas. tions. The Teamsters Union supports legislation to close loopholes, improve meaningful penalties and strengthen the enforcement of Amtrak: The Teamsters Rail Conference and all of rail labor are laws against misclassification. committed to securing full funding for Amtrak to address all deferred

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Commercial Driver Licenses/Personal Vehicle Violation Relief: Teamsters who incur serious traffic offenses while driving personal  vehicles face suspension or revocation of their commercial driver license (CDL) driving privileges. This provision was part of the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act that passed the Congress and was signed into law in 1999. The Teamsters Union is urging Congress to review this law and will continue to work to ease these onerous restrictions.       Aircraft Maintenance Outsourcing: Major U.S. domestic air carriers dramatically increased outsourcing in recent years, and now spend nearly two-thirds of their maintenance dollars on contract repair            stations here and abroad. Foreign repair stations are not required to have the same number of FAA-certificated mechanics, or the same         security rules, as airline-owned repair facilities in the U.S. Team-        ! "  #      sters Union mechanics are urging Congress to impose a moratorium  "$  %" "  " #  on any further outsourcing of aircraft maintenance by the country’s   $       airlines until there are uniform maintenance standards both here in the U.S. and abroad, and proper FAA oversight, because current practices endanger passenger safety and national security.  * 

Visit www.teamster.org to learn more about the above issues, plus +,   # learn about what the Teamsters Union is doing on these issues: s 4RADEPOLICIESTHATWORKFORWORKERS &       $'  s /VERTIMEPAYFORDRIVERS '    ' " $ () s 2%30%#4!CT s &EDERALPRISONINDUSTRYREFORMAND s "ACKGROUNDCHECKUNIFORMITYREDUNDANCY

 nnn%k\Xdjk\i%fi^sD8P&ALE<)''/sK<8DJK8E@Q@E>FI>8E@Q@E> Sticking Together H&M International Employees Join Teamsters

ay Munson worked at a and sinking morale. We knew BMWED. Simpson quickly Alliance for a New Economy rail yard in Philadelphia some positive change had to responded with a letter after (GANE), a nonprofit that Rfor six years as a Team- come. We became Teamsters to H&M International conveyed seeks economic justice ster member before he moved better our position.” to its workers it was resist- through a collaboration of to Charlotte, North Carolina. ing unionization because the unions and community orga- When Munson moved to Considerable Support Norfolk Southern Corporation nizations, went to H&M Charlotte to work for an H&M The new members had con- would cancel its contract at the International headquarters in International Transportation siderable support in their Charlotte facility if the employ- Jersey City, New Jersey to sup- rail yard, he became nonunion efforts to join the Teamsters. ees voted for Teamster repre- port the workers’ organizing sentation. H&M International efforts in Charlotte. “We were prepared and unified and is an intermodal contractor Kate Atkins of GANE told for Norfolk Southern. Norfolk H&M International President that’s how we had the ability to do Southern responded with a Chuck Connors that they this. I’m proud of what we did— letter to Simpson emphasiz- expected New Jersey-based ing its neutrality in the elec- companies to treat workers becoming Teamsters.” tion process, stating it would fairly in all parts of the country, retain contractors “regardless and that they would “support and noticed a big difference. Fred Potter, International of whether H&M’s employ- the Charlotte workers in their “I came from a mansion Vice President and President ees join a union.” This letter effort to form their union.” down to a shack,” said Munson, of Local 469 in Hazlet, New empowered the workers to “We were prepared and uni- who recently organized with Jersey, was instrumental in resist anti-unionization efforts. fied and that’s how we had the his coworkers at the company, this campaign, as was Freddie In addition, a commu- ability to do this,” Powell said. joining Local 71 in Charlotte. Simpson, International Vice nity delegation consisting of “I’m proud of what we did— The 30 newly organized President and President of the members of the Garden State becoming Teamsters.” members, who work as switch- ers, crane operators, forklift operators and gate clerks, contacted Local 71 seeking fair pay, affordable health insur- ance, fairness, seniority and an end to unfair discipline. “We’re pretty proud of our organizing department, our organizer Matt Emmick and the new members who stood together to become Team- sters,” said Ted Russell, Presi- dent of Local 71. “When I started, I came to work at a job I enjoyed and was proud of what I did. I felt like I was an important part of the economy,” said Jamey Powell, a driver operator for H&M Inter- national since 1999. “But over the years that eroded with no raises, no increases in benefits

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PICTURE#*( WAREHOUSE DIVISION HOLDS MEETING

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Giving Back Since graduating from Rhodes College in Memphis, Wheeler “I’M FOREVER INDEBTED to the Teamsters,” said Logan Wheeler, has done all he can to give back. He is one of hundreds of past a 2001 recipient of the James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship. “I scholarship recipients who are making the world a better place as applied for the scholarship more out of need than anything else. a result of the James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund. My family is of modest economic means and I knew this was the Currently, Wheeler works in Washington, D.C. as the micro-fi- only way I’d be able to go at all.” nance loan administrator for the Latino Economic Development Wheeler is just one of many young people who are giving back Corporation, a nonprofit. to their communities in a way made possible by the financial assis- “The Teamster scholarship really allowed me to work on issues tance they received from the Teamsters Union. Because Wheeler’s I’m interested in,” he said. grandfather is a retired Roadway freight driver and member of It wasn’t an easy or quick ride from receiving the scholarship Local 480 in Nashville, he was eligible for the scholarship. to where he is now, though. His double major in Spanish and Since 2001, the scholarship has helped hundreds of children and Russian, plus a minor in international studies, propelled him to a grandchildren of Teamsters ease the financial burden of college, but Fulbright Scholarship and a master’s degree in public policy from it does much more than simply assist with college costs. Time and the Tecnólogico de Monterrey in Mexico. again, past recipients of the scholarship say that graduating from col- “I wanted to do something in the policy world that would lege without debt has allowed them to pursue what they want to do affect the Hispanic community,” he said. His job is overseeing rather than seek out higher paying jobs just to pay off student loans. small loans to help Hispanic D.C. residents make purchases, The Teamster values instilled in these young people by their par- improve their credit or otherwise get over financial difficulty. ents or grandparents often translates to careers that, in one way or “I’m still passionate about unions and organized labor and another, do good. I think that organized labor issues and immigration issues are “I’ve spoken with many past recipients of the James R. Hoffa interconnected,” Wheeler said. “I think so many problems, both scholarship and their life stories are amazing,” said Cheryl John- in the labor movement and related to immigration, are about son, International Vice President and President of the James R. large entities, be they companies or governments, and how Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund. “With every student that they affect people on the individual level. Oftentimes, the indi- graduates with the assistance of the Teamsters, we have one more vidual can feel powerless in the face of those entities, but by smart, capable and ambitious young person who can and will working together and creating a dialogue, it can solve so many make a difference in the world.” of those problems.”

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More than Money scholarship made all the difference, and it continues to make a “That these brilliant young minds are able to go to college on a big difference. I have on my resume that I won the James R. Hoffa scholarship bearing my father’s name makes me proud,” said Jim Memorial Scholarship, and it’s a great source of conversation. And Hoffa, Teamsters General President. “The diversity of their studies it sure gets a rise out of some people. But I love telling people how and the paths they are choosing is truly making the world a better my dad was a lifelong Teamster and how proud I am of that.” place. And it is because of the rank-and-file members and Team- “The number one thing the scholarship helped me do is just ster officers who keep the scholarship fund alive year after year.” go to school, but what gets overlooked is that students who are The James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship does much more able to get through school without taking on massive debt are than simply give financial assistance to children and grandchil- able to pursue a career more freely,” said Chris Starr, another past dren of Teamsters. scholarship winner. “If you have a lot of debt coming out of col- “The scholarship was a constant reminder that someone else lege, your career options are affected because you would have to believed in my future,” said Craig Dukin, a past scholarship recip- do something that paid more money as opposed to something ient. “It instilled in me a desire to help others so that they could you really want to do. The scholarship continues to give you feel the same way. It emphasized the value of philanthropy and options even after you graduate.” citizenship in my life.” “In one sense, the scholarship enabled me to go to school, “An Affirmation of Abilities” but in a broader sense, it enabled me to change my whole envi- Marie LaRiviere is another perfect example of the good the James ronment,” said Matthew Strang, a past scholarship recipient R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund does, and how the bright currently in graduate school. “I was able to experience all kinds students who win the scholarship can go on to make the world of different perspectives and different cultures and ways of life, a better place. LaRiviere found out she won the $10,000 scholar- which has been so exciting. It enriched my education and my life ship on the day she graduated from high school. Since then, she journey in general.” graduated from Georgetown University with a biology degree “The scholarship is the gift that keeps on giving. It gave me and now works in Washington, D.C. as a statistician working access to one of the best schools in the country which I otherwise on biofuels and renewable energy with the Energy Information couldn’t have afforded,” said Ellie Martin, who graduated from Administration of the Department of Energy. Stanford with the help of a Teamster scholarship. “The Teamster “The Teamster scholarship allowed me to graduate from col-

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Each year, 150 new students benefit from the approximately $550,000 raised through golf and poker tournaments, the sale of Teamster mer- chandise and donations.

You can find the following information at www.teamster.org/info/scholarship: s How to contribute to the James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund; s How to apply for this scholarship and for the scholarship essay contest; s Guidelines and eligibility requirements to apply; and s Other scholarship resources.

Carl Yerger Jr., another 2001 scholarship winner, did his “A Better, Fuller Person” undergraduate studies at Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, “The scholarship lifted a great deal of stress from my collegiate California. The small, private school of about 700 students is experience. It meant a lot to me that I could help contribute to prohibitively expensive. “My parents didn’t have enough to send the price of my education so that my parents wouldn’t have to me to that school and, fortunately, the union was able to help me bear such a heavy financial burden,” said Craig Dukin, another out with that,” he said. “The scholarship allowed me to devote my past Teamster scholarship winner. His father is a UPS package-car time to studies.” driver in New Jersey. “I’m really proud of him,” said his mother, Carlene Yerger, Dukin is now a first-year law student at Georgetown Univer- who is a Teamster at the Owen J. Roberts High School cafeteria in sity. “I was attracted to civil rights and civil liberties and this nat- Pottstown, Pennsylvania. “He deserves everything he has gotten. urally led to a study of the legal system and our laws,” he said. “I He works hard and he’s going to do the world a lot of good.” saw an opportunity to make a difference through the law. When I While at Harvey Mudd, Yerger majored in math and spent a graduate law school I hope to make a strong commitment to pro year at the University of Cambridge in England. He is now work- bono and philanthropic activities during my career.” ing toward his Ph.D. at Georgia Tech in algorithms, combinato- Upon graduating from college, Dukin wrote a letter to the rics and optimization, “a joint program between math, computer administrators of the James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund. science and industrial engineering.” His thanks illustrate the need for such a scholarship, and the The scholarship will allow April McCullough, once she gradu- necessity of Teamsters to keep the fund alive through donations. ates from medical school at the New York University School of “Though I am extremely proud of the accomplishments that Medicine, to be the first doctor in her family. She graduated from my transcript illuminates, I believe that [it] signifies merely one Cornell University with the help of a Teamster scholarship. Her part of my education at Penn,” he wrote. “The other measures… father is a retired 9-1-1 operator from Lansing, Michigan. include growth in maturity, wisdom, philanthropy, and general Chris Starr is also in medical school. He attended Washington life perspective…Contributions like yours have made these University in St. Louis with the help of a Teamster scholarship and accomplishments possible; I walk into the post-collegiate world a his father is retired from the Illinois Department of Transporta- better, fuller person because of your support. Thank you for mak- tion as a Teamster civil engineer. “While I was in school, I was able ing the past four years a time of my life that I will never forget to concentrate better knowing school was paid for,” he said. and which will always stay with me.”

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sel for Hahs requested a stay of disciplinary action pending REPORT 107 TO ALL MEMBERS appeal. The IRB has the matter under consideration. OF THE INTERNATIONAL B. GLENN TEOLIS - LOCAL 251, EAST PROVIDENCE, BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS RHODE ISLAND We have previously informed you that Glenn Teolis, a FROM: Independent Review Board Local 251 member and former International Project Coordi- Benjamin R. Civiletti nator, while a member of Local 251 and an employee of the Joseph E. diGenova IBT, allegedly brought reproach upon the IBT, violated his William H. Webster fiduciary duties to the members, and embezzled IBT funds of $2,209 to his own use and the use of others; and while a DATED: March 20, 2008 member of Local 251 he failed to cooperate with the duties of the IRB by delaying his sworn examination and then failing to I. INTRODUCTION appear for his scheduled examination. This is the Independent Review Board’s (“IRB”) One Mr. Hoffa filed the charges, a panel was appointed to hear Hundred and Seventh Report to you on its activities con- the charges and a hearing was held on January 3, 2008. On ducted pursuant to the Consent Order. In this Report, we will January 16, 2008, Mr. Hoffa issued his decision that Mr. Teo- discuss matters that have currently come before us, including lis is permanently barred from holding membership and seek- two new reports and the progress of existing charges about ing or holding office in the IBT. On February 12, 2008, the which we have previously informed you. IRB notified Mr. Hoffa that his decision was not inadequate.

II. NEW INVESTIGATIVE REPORTS C. JAMES D. JACKSON – LOCAL 299, DETROIT, MICHIGAN A. STACEY SPALDING – LOCAL 215, EVANSVILLE, We have previously informed you that James D. Jackson, INDIANA a member of Local 299, allegedly brought reproach upon On March 17, 2008, the IRB issued an Investigative the IBT and violated his membership oath when from July Report to Members of the Executive Board of Local 215 con- 26, 2001 to January 19, 2006, while an IBT member, he had cerning member Stacey Spalding. The report recommended knowing and purposeful contact with Michael C. Bane, who that Ms. Spalding be charged with bringing reproach upon had been permanently barred from the IBT on July 17, 2001. the IBT by willfully and without justification failing to appear General President Hoffa adopted the charge, a panel was for her scheduled in-person sworn examinations. The Execu- appointed to hear the charge against Mr. Jackson, and a hear- tive Board was given 90 days in which to file the charge, hold ing was held on April 5, 2007. On May 23, 2007, Mr. Hoffa a hearing and submit its findings to the IRB. permanently barred Mr. Jackson from the IBT. On September 11, 2007, the IRB notified Mr. Hoffa, Mr. B. PASQUALE J. GUARNIERO – LOCAL 456, Jackson and counsel for Mr. Jackson that it found the IBT ELMSFORD, NEW YORK decision to be not inadequate. Because Mr. Jackson wished to On March 17, 2008, the IRB issued an Investigative file an appeal to the district court, the IRB made Application Report to Members of the Executive Board of Local 456 129 to Judge Preska. The matter is with Judge Preska. concerning member Pasquale J. Guarniero. The report rec- ommended that Mr. Guarniero be charged with bringing D. FRANCIS J. GILLEN – LOCAL 500, PHILADELPHIA, reproach upon the IBT by willfully and without justification PENNSYLVANIA failing to appear for his scheduled in-person sworn examina- We have previously informed you that Francis (Frank) J. tion. The Executive Board was given 90 days in which to file Gillen allegedly brought reproach upon the IBT and failed the charge, hold a hearing and submit its findings to the IRB. to cooperate with the IRB while International Vice Presi- dent, Joint Council 53 President, Pennsylvania Conference of III. PROGRESS OF EXISTING CHARGES Teamsters President and Local 500 President, when during his sworn examination on February 1, 2007, he gave intention- A. DON HAHS - BLET HEADQUARTERS, ally false testimony concerning his association with perma- CLEVELAND, OHIO nently barred member Thomas Ryan. In his sworn testimony We have previously informed you that Don Hahs, an offi- he lied about his numerous contacts with Ryan after Ryan cer of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Train- was barred. men (BLET), a Division of the Teamsters Rail Conference, Mr. Hoffa adopted the charges, a panel was appointed to allegedly violated his fiduciary duties to the BLET and its hear the proposed charges against Mr. Gillen, and a hearing members, embezzled and converted BLET funds and property was held on July 11, 2007. On August 3, 2007, Mr. Hoffa and to his own use and the use of others, and brought reproach Mr. Keegel notified Mr. Gillen that he was barred from holding upon the IBT while President of the BLET by embezzling over office for five years and from membership in the IBT for three $58,000 from the BLET. years. The IRB found the decision to be not inadequate. General President Hoffa filed the charges and a panel Because Mr. Gillen wished to file an appeal with Judge was appointed to hear the charges against Mr. Hahs. The IBT Preska, the IRB made Application 128 to Judge Preska. The held a hearing on February 4-5, 2008. On March 14, 2008, matter is with Judge Preska. Mr. Hoffa issued his decision removing Mr. Hahs from his current position in the BLET until his current term of office E. JOHN CLANCY – LOCAL 705, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS has expired in 2010, suspending him from membership in We have previously informed you that John Clancy, Inter- the BLET and the IBT for a period of one year, and requiring national Organizer and member of Local 705, allegedly brought payment of a fine of $44,963.97. On March 20, 2008, coun- reproach upon the IBT and violated his membership oath by,

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WHEN ROLLY BRAZEL turned 60 a Brazel and the rest of the team would Tacoma with his grandchildren, his wife few months ago, he got an unwelcome go into compounds, pretty much any Donna, and children Romel, Roselind, birthday present: Mandatory retire- kind of American installation, and assess D.J. and Djonovan. “It hasn’t been easy ment from the Army Reserve. their vulnerabilities, then give a report, during the past few years, but we have The years leading up to his retire- which would be used to help get funds coped with the challenges,” he said. ment, though, were far from uneventful. to build up their compound. Some were Brazel is glad to be driving civilian He did two tours of active duty, each civilian installations and some were trucks again, but he would gladly have lasting two-and-a-half years. One tour military compounds. continued serving Uncle Sam. Brazel was spent in Iraq and Afghanistan and first joined the Marines in 1967 and the other at Ft. Lewis, an Army base out- Glad to be Home was with them until 1973. He rejoined side of Tacoma, Washington. While in Upon returning to work, the 18-year in 1990, but this time with the Army Iraq, he said rockets and mortar rounds Teamster thanked Local 174 for paying his Reserve. While in the reserves, Brazel got to be routine. dues and keeping him a member in good attained the rank of Master Sergeant, When he finished his most recent standing while he was on active duty. and part of his duties included training tour, he resumed his duties as a Local While Brazel is happy to be working as a hundreds of fellow medics. 174 Teamster truck driver for Horizon Teamster again, he’s even happier to be “Like the others serving, I just did Lines. spending quality time with his family. the job my country needed done. I “I was a combat medic,” While on active duty, he didn’t get to don’t argue about why we are at war, Brazel said. “I was on a team spend as much time as he but the fact is, we are, and our forces attached to Central Com- wanted in will do whatever we can to achieve our mand. I was part of the military goals,” Brazel said. “It is painful vulnerability assessment to watch the ever-increasing team. There was a team of death and injury tolls on us that included explo- both the U.S. and the Iraqi sive experts, combat sides. Many thousands of engineers, policemen, families have been hurt. an electronics guy—I The scope of the tragedy was the medical guy.” grieves me deeply.”

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                                                     When TragedyTragedy HitsHits

Give to the Teamsters Disaster Relief Fund

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