www.teamsters495.org Robert M. Lennox, Secretary - Treasurer Fall 2013 Disney SPECIAL EDITION Come with us as we take a magical journey through the Happiest Place on Earth, where we will meet your Teamster brothers and sisters at every step along the way… A Message to the Members Meet our Disneyland Resort Cast Members in their Diverse Roles ur Local union is one will meet in this issue. O of the most diversifi ed One of the hallmarks of a in the country, covering strong union is the participation warehouse employees, the of its members, and our brothers Robert M. Lennox automotive industry, race and sisters at Disneyland embody tracks and beyond. In this that Teamster spirit. Th e many Secretary-Treasurer, Local 495 issue of Th e Flash, you will shop stewards – some of whom meet your brothers and sisters you will meet here – are devoted who work in a place that holds to the members. Th ey were part Happiest Place on Earth.” You special memories for most of our dedicated and enthusiastic will enjoy a dazzling experience of us in Southern California: negotiating committee whose and also be among your Teamster the Disneyland Resort. Th ey eff orts made for a very successful brothers and sisters working as really are a diversifi ed group new contract, and all of us in Local Disney cast members. themselves!. 495 can be proud of that. Th e more Let your Local 495 fellow You may not have realized unifi ed we are in each of our units, members in this issue guide you it, but Local 495 members are the more powerful the Local as a through the Disneyland Resort, the backbone that keeps the whole can become. where your childhood dreams really park running. From the Disney While one of the goals of this will come true. Come and bring your families to enjoy Distribution Centersnters that supplysupply issue is to highlighthighlight the hard-hard- your families to enjoy it all! the park, to the parkingparking lotlot workingworking membersmembers at thethe it all! attendants who getget you fromfrom DisneylandDisneyland Resort, we your car to the gates,ates, to the alsoalso want to encourageencourage cast members inside,side, your trip thethe rest of Local 495495 to one of the world’srld’s premierpremier membersmembers to taketake theirtheir tourist destinationsns is trulytruly a own jojourneysurneys Teamster experience.nce. Whether to “Th e you spend a day iinn DisneyDisneylandland Park or Californiaia Adventure – or a weekend visitingiting both – the magic that you andnd your family feel is madede possible by the men and women you Page 2 Secretary-Treasurer Bob Lennox and President George Park are welcomed by a California Adventure cast member from Teamster Local 495. he Disneyland Resort in focus on amazing wonders of the Whenever you and your TAnaheim is a magical place West such as the Grizzly River families visit Disneyland Resort, where childhood fantasies Run, Radiator Springs Racers and remember that it is your fellow become reality and entertainment Hollywood Land. Teamsters who make all of the rules the day. With two distinct From the time you enter either magic happen. Whether behind the theme parks – Disneyland Park theme park to the time you have scenes at one of two Distribution and California Adventure Park to leave for the day, you will be Centers providing the park with all – the resort features some of greeted by enthusiastic Disney cast of the necessary souvenirs, in the the most iconic attractions in members, who do everything from parking lot helping you get from American culture. driving the trolleys on Main Street your car to the parks and back, or Legendary rides and attractions USA, to operating the rides and in costume helping you inside the such as Pirates of the Caribbean, midway games at Paradise Pier, park, the dedicated Teamster cast It’s a Small, Small World, the to ferrying you to Tom Sawyer’s members are proud to make your Matterhorn and Space Mountain, Island on log rafts. Th ese dedicated experience as magical as possible. make Disneyland a must-see Teamsters embody the lighthearted So let’s get started on our destination for families from all and fun-loving nature of the journey and meet the Teamsters over the world. Just next door, Disneyland Resort experience, and who help make Disneyland Resort California Adventure opened in their friendly eff orts make families the Happiest Place on Earth! 2001 featuring attractions that want to return as often as possible. Page 3 California Adventure Buena Vista Street Welcome to California Adventure, where you are greeted by historic 1920s Los Angeles on Buena Vista Street. Take a ride on one of the Red Car Trolleys, visit the unique Carthay Circle Theater, or enjoy a meal at one of many restaurants — before you head off to the rest of the park. “We are very happy with the new contract, and it was an honor to be able to take part in that process. It feels great to pitch in and help with the union process.” — Shawn Stengel, Shop Steward, A Bugs Land A Bug’s Land View the world through the eyes of a bug, where items you use every day appear larger than life. Based on the popular movie A Bug’s Life, this area has child-friendly attractions like Fliks Flyers, Tuck & Roll’s Drive ‘em Buggies, and Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train. Make sure you take in a viewing of It’s Tough to be a Bug! for an unforgettable 3D experience. Page 4 Cars Land Built for the speed demons inside all of us, Cars Land is the perfect place to show off your moves on the way to victory lane. Strap yourself into a vehicle from the movie Cars at Radiator Springs Racers, one of the most technically advanced slot car rides in the world. For those who shy away from speed, Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree and Luigi’s Flying Tires are exciting alternatives in Cars Land. Page 5 “I’ve worked at another theme park in Southern California that did have union representation, and I can’t tell you how big of a difference it is here. The Teamsters got us a contract that we can be proud of.” — Brian Bailey - Cars Land Grizzly Peak California — known worldwide for its majestic national parks — here offers Grizzly Peak to transport you into a beautiful wilderness. Take a thrilling ride down roaring rapids on the Grizzly River Run, or hike, climb and slide your way through the trees on the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. Keep an eye out for gold, as you never know when the next Gold Rush will begin. Page 6 Bob Lennox Hollywood Land Chief Negotiator As Chief Negotiator and Co- The fi lm industry helped Chairman of the Disneyland Master make Hollywood the center Services Council, Bob Lennox used his of glamour and fame, and vast experience in managing union issues the big screen comes to life to lead the negotiating team. in Hollywood Land. Stroll “We spent a lot of time working through a Hollywood back- with the negotiating committee to come lot – where movie magic is up with an eff ective strategy,” explained made – or take a terrifying Lennox, who has led every Disney plunge on the Tower of negotiation since 1992. “Everyone worked very hard to make sure that the interests Terror. Popular treats for of their fellow cast members were kept as the kids include Monsters the highest priority. At the end of the day Inc. and interacting with we can all be very happy with the new Muppet characters, so this contract, and I think the overwhelmingly makes a perfect place for positive vote it received is a testament to adults and their children this committee’s hard work.” Th e contract covers 4,200 Teamster members, both full-time employees and casual regulars, and includes solid wage increases and a company-matched 401k plan. “With no takeaways, improvements to the time off , and protections for the casual regulars, this is the best contract at Disney in recent memory,” continued Lennox. “Th e members work incredibly hard every day, not just for themselves, but to make sure their guests have the time of their lives. Th ese people deserve the best, and I’m glad that the strength and unity of Teamsters Local 495 helped “We are very happy with the new contract, them get it.” and it was an honor to be able to take Lennox began his extensive part in that process. It feels great to pitch Teamsters career after serving in the U.S. in and help with the union process.” Marine Corps in Vietnam. Th e year was — Brian Freeman – Paradise Pier 1973, when Lennox fi rst joined Teamsters Local 495 while working at Cal-Custom, a specialty auto parts distributor. Within his fi rst month of employment he was Paradise Pier elected as Shop Steward for the group. While working days in the warehouse, Here’s a re-creation of the old-time Lennox attended college at night honing coastal boardwalks around so many his skills. In 1976, Lennox became a famous Southern California beaches. Local 495 Business Agent, and in 1987 Paradise Pier, the largest theme was elected President of the Local. land here, offers great adventure. He was elected to his current post of More daring guests will go for the Secretary-Treasurer in 1991 and has led California Screamin’ roller coaster, Local 495 through decades of success. while the kids can take a ride on Bob Lennox also serves the membership Mickey’s Fun Wheel or thrill to as Vice President of Teamsters Joint the 3D Toy Story Midway Mania! Council 42, and the Director of the If you stay late, watch the World Western Region of the IBT Industrial of Color, a stunning hydrotechnic Trades Division.