News for today's 2018

A Teamster shop steward exposes unfair employer

9:16 AM Tukiyooo 0

439 negotiations Teamsters A Teamster shop steward exposes unfair employer

Teamster Local 439 members and Brother Joseph Trujillo,shop steward.Our Teamster brother Joseph Trujillo is a shop steward from Teamster Local 439 in Stockton, Calif., and he asked us to help expose the unfairness of an employer.We're happy to oblige…

Woot! TPP looks dead for this year

10:17 AM Tukiyooo 0

It may well be time for <a href="http://teamster.org/" rel="nofollow">Teamsters</a> to celebrate. The secret <a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2013/11/TPP-not-about-trade.html" rel="nofollow">Trans-Pacific Partnership</a>, also known as the TPP, looks to be dead this year!<br /><br />A key U.S. House of Representatives leader said yesterday there isn't enough time left on the calendar to pass <strike>a fast one</strike> '<a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2013/10/teamsters-lobby-against-tpp.html" rel="nofollow">fast track' legislation</a>. 'Fast track' is just a euphemism for 'rubber stamp,' and without a rubber stamp, the <a href="http://truth-out.org/opinion/item/19843-trans-pacific-partnership-we-will-not-obey-building-a-global-resistance-movement-to-transnational-corporate-power" rel="nofollow">TPP will not pass</a>.<br /><br />Here's why: If people knew what was in the TPP, they'd throw everyone who voted for it out of office. It's a deal to destroy democracy, empower corporations, lower wages, censor the Internet, raise the price of medicine and undermine food safety. Giant corporations have been let in on the negotiations, but the American public has not. Even members of Congress are only allowed tiny peeks at the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/18/alan-grayson-trans-pacific-partnership_n_3456167.html" rel="nofollow">TPP texts</a>. <br /><br />Fortunately, <a href="http://thediplomat.com/2013/11/congress-may-have-killed-the-trans-pacific-partnership/" rel="nofollow">Congress may have already killed the TPP</a> by sending two letters opposing fast track. They were signed by 173 lawmakers, 151 Democrats and 22 Republicans.  <br /><br /><a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/sns-rt-us-usa-trade-tpa-20131119,0,7297542.story" rel="nofollow">Reuters</a> reports, <blockquote>The Obama administration's hopes of securing "fast-track" trade negotiating authority from Congress this year look certain to be dashed given the limited time left on the congressional calendar, the No. 2 House Democrat said on Tuesday. </blockquote><blockquote>The administration wants Congress to quickly pass Trade Promotion Authority, or TPA, to help it secure a trade agreement with 11 other Pacific Rim nations, including Australia, Chile, Canada, Japan, Malaysia and Mexico. </blockquote><blockquote>"I don't realistically see TPA moving," House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer told reporters, saying that Congress would likely be busy with other bills during the eight working days it has left in 2013.</blockquote>Of course, there's always next year....<br /><br />

fast track Teamsters TPP Woot! TPP looks dead for this year

It may well be time for Teamsters to celebrate. The secret Trans-Pacific Partnership, also known as the TPP, looks to be dead this year!A key U.S. House of Representatives leader said yesterday there isn't enough time left on the calendar to pass a f…

Teamsters score major victory over sleep apnea guidance

11:28 AM Tukiyooo 0

Here's good news for Teamster truck drivers and anyone who turns a key for a living: <a href="http://www.teamster.org/" rel="nofollow">Teamsters </a>who might be at risk for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleep_apnea" rel="nofollow">sleep apnea</a> won't have to undergo costly tests or lose time at work because of federal regulators.  The International Brotherhood of Teamsters successfully lobbied Congress to force<a href="http://fmcsa.dot.gov/" rel="nofollow"> federal trucking regulators</a> to set strict guidelines for when they can require screening, testing and treatment for sleep apnea.<br /><br />The House and Senate passed the bill unanimously, and President Obama signed it into law earlier this week. Now, federal regulators will have to listen to the Teamsters, owner-operators, trucking and bus associations and YOU before issuing regulations on sleep apnea.<br /><br />This is a good thing because regulators were coming up with "guidance" for testing and treating sleep apnea for truckers and other CDL holders. That "guidance" could have cost commercial truck drivers thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses. It could have cost them their jobs.<br /><br />The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) actually stated that 28 percent of CDL holders have sleep apnea. FMCSA's guidance in 2012 set arbitrary standards -- like 17-inch necks and certain body mass indexes -- that would have forced many Teamsters to go through the potentially costly testing.<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"> Teamsters General President <a href="http://www.teamster.org/content/james-p-hoffa">James P. Hoffa</a> said in a <a href="http://www.teamster.org/content/teamsters-stop-fmcsa-attack-truck-drivers" rel="nofollow">statement</a>, We cannot allow federal regulators to make uninformed decisions that will cost millions of people a lot of money that they can’t afford to spend right now... </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">This law, which passed the House with a unanimous vote, protects millions of working men and women who turn a key for a living from being forced to spend money on a test they may not need at the whim of a federal agency.</blockquote>The new law won't absolutely prevent doctors from referring certain drivers for testing during their medical exams, it will postpone mandatory screening for three years or more.  During that time, you can be sure the Teamsters' voices will be heard!<br />

Congress FMCSA sleep apnea Teamsters Teamsters score major victory over sleep apnea guidance

Here's good news for Teamster truck drivers and anyone who turns a key for a living: Teamsters who might be at risk for sleep apnea won't have to undergo costly tests or lose time at work because of federal regulators. The International Brotherhood …

Teamster BAs tell lawmakers not to pull a fast one on trade deal

12:12 PM Tukiyooo 0

fast-track Teamsters TPP Teamster BAs tell lawmakers not to pull a fast one on trade deal

Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., meets with Teamster business agents: (LtoR: Sal Golfo, Teamsters Local 272, Debbie Gath, Teamsters Local 38, Michael Dolan, IBT legislative representative, DelBene, Troy Gustafson,Teamsters Local 120.Teamster business age…

Teamster women get fired up at New Orleans conference

3:12 PM Tukiyooo 0

Teamsters Women's Conference Teamster women get fired up at New Orleans conference

Teamster women find sisterhood is powerful!One thousand Teamster women -- the most ever -- are in New Orleans through Saturday to re-energize for the next year of battles against the enemies of working people.Commentator Donna Brazile, a New Orleans …

Marquez workers to continue fight for Teamsters

1:53 PM Tukiyooo 0

<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anti-union bosses at the Marquez Brothers cheese facility in Hanford, Calif., have thrown everything at their Teamster workers in an effort to crack their resolve. But employees there are not backing down.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Though the unscrupulous employer recently decided against recognizing the union, </span><a href="http://www.hanfordsentinel.com/news/local/marquez-union-supporters-press-on-despite-setbacks/article_2247ffe6-1fb0-11e3-a9ef-0019bb2963f4.html" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">workers on Oct. 4 will vote</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> to continue their fight for fair wages and safe working conditions. The company has not bargained in good faith since workers decided to join the union in August 2012, and talks have stalled. Marquez went so far as to </span><a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2013/08/marquez-brothers-now-stalling-in.html"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">spread lies that Teamsters were going to call a strike</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, even though such an action is up to the workers themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Most workers make $9 an hour at the plant. The union’s bargaining unit initial sought $12 hour, but later lowered it to $11.50. The company, however, never budged beyond $9.10.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If sabotaging negotiations wasn’t bad enough, Marquez went further. </span><a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2013/04/employers-brutal-union-busting-tactics.html"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They hired an expensive union-busting law firm to tail a worker who testified</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> at a legislative hearing in Sacramento back in March. Although lawmakers called out the company and attorneys for their actions, the worker – a mother of four – was later fired.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Partly because of that case, </span><a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2013/09/teamsters-tout-approval-of-worker-intimidation-bills.html"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">state legislation was enacted earlier this month</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> that bars employers from intimidating immigrant workers for reporting illegal pay or working conditions by threatening to call immigration officials.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Marquez workers said they are ready to continue their fight. Cheese weigher Juan Cruz said:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div><blockquote class="tr_bq"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If we win, we’ll be sending a very strong message to the owners.<o:p></o:p></span></blockquote></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Teamster strong!<o:p></o:p></span><br />

Marquez Brothers Teamsters union worker intimidation Marquez workers to continue fight for Teamsters

Anti-union bosses at the Marquez Brothers cheese facility in Hanford, Calif., have thrown everything at their Teamster workers in an effort to crack their resolve. But employees there are not backing down. Though the unscrupulous employer recently …

Teamsters celebrate Truck Driver Appreciation Week

11:03 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_fAwWgZQIVn39gZG4g-Z4fTngm0-f-io2vPqGRXfno-5i94w7R3yHnw2EnknJn0gcFPdtgAZQt92VembWIewS60huc9ztTUoZ5pwXBdqIN8C0HhV1YlH_6njlvZq4K8BKoxDgFey45TM3/s1600/Knights+of+the+Highway+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_fAwWgZQIVn39gZG4g-Z4fTngm0-f-io2vPqGRXfno-5i94w7R3yHnw2EnknJn0gcFPdtgAZQt92VembWIewS60huc9ztTUoZ5pwXBdqIN8C0HhV1YlH_6njlvZq4K8BKoxDgFey45TM3/s320/Knights+of+the+Highway+(2).jpg" width="285" /></a></div><div>We're celebrating <a href="http://www.trucking.org/Appreciation_Week.aspx" rel="nofollow">National Truck Driver Appreciation Week</a> over on our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/teamsters" rel="nofollow">Facebook page</a> with photos old and new of trucks and truck drivers. Many of our readers posted some great comments, which we thought we'd share with you:  </div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/westendorchestra">James F. Giles</a> Everything everyone in America owns, eats, or uses got here on a truck - thanks, Teamsters. </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/richard.lapointe.771">Richard Lapointe</a> Made the seniority list in Feb 1971 in Cambridge, MA and retired last year with an awesome pension after 42 years of service with several companies. God bless the Teamster's Union. It's always been the working class that made this country great. </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/nunzio.santuccio">Nunzio Santuccio</a> Keepem rolling !!!! </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ray.roehrig">Ray Roehrig</a> Retired Local #500, Philadelphia, PA. Proud to be a Teamster! </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/greggjodi.gomes">Greggjodi Gomes</a> I am proud to be a part of Local 407 Truck Drivers Union Cleveland ,Ohio--- thank you for all you do for me and my family !! </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/mike.porchiazzo">Mike Porchiazzo</a> Truckers make the world go around! It's a long lonesome road in the lifetime of a trucker! </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/jenjen726leo">Jennifer Young</a> proud daughter of a Teamster Driver!! </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/larry.katra.73">Larry Katra</a> My stepdad was a union steward and saw him save many guys jobs over the years.The Teamsters was a great union and still is. </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/frank.milatzo">Frank Milatzo</a> In '62 I was just learning how to drive big rigs, joined the Teamsters 25 years ago after freight: got deregulated and couldn't make any money as an independent trucker. Best move I ever made </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/lenore.lopez.7">Lenore Lopez</a> I appreciate truck drivers, I wish more employers would respect the physical and mental demands of the job. </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/wayne.robertson.77964">Wayne Robertson</a> Funny how when I'm on 2 wheels I worry less about them than I do the soccer mom in the grocery-getter. But I'm not invisible to them, and the living they make depends on their safety and courtesy!</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/sandie.hawley">Sandie Hawley</a> where would we be without truckers, God bless em. </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.mansfield.90">Jennifer Mansfield</a> My Daddy, Oklie J Huggins, 1928-2008. Teamster Truck Driver for 44 yrs.</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ken.caccamise">Ken Caccamise</a> I have a story about the old days and how different than they are today. Today we have spring loaded brakes. When the air brake lines are disconnected from the tractor the brakes are set, that means "on." Back years ago before spring loaded brakes when you lost air the wheels freewheeled, brakes off. A retired union O/O I spoke with this summer was in the middle of a story when he said something that caught my ear. The story was about running NYC. Just below Mount Pocono on PA 611 there's a steep downward grade. A tractor trailer's drive shaft snapped off coming down that grade and went threw the decking behind the cab cutting the brake lines, loosing all the brakes. The driver crashed and was killed. Talk about a dangerous job. I will say that without the Teamster's these problem might still exist today...</blockquote>

Teamsters trucks Teamsters celebrate Truck Driver Appreciation Week

We're celebrating National Truck Driver Appreciation Week over on our Facebook page with photos old and new of trucks and truck drivers. Many of our readers posted some great comments, which we thought we'd share with you: James F. Giles Everything …

Teamsters join LA Labor Day march for workers

9:04 AM Tukiyooo 0

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNiYzsAkCQyvAN94PkWF2YjvBLPfIrPV1pHXTCFTfI6msI1V5UsBJ4vH1mymMje1rCHC2g2mhjdx-5KOe10yOQyBIW15_XkY_Ebz5D8Lvon8_OdAOvjPhNW7UehPNVQ2xsp_3KhpRl_vC7/s1600/050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNiYzsAkCQyvAN94PkWF2YjvBLPfIrPV1pHXTCFTfI6msI1V5UsBJ4vH1mymMje1rCHC2g2mhjdx-5KOe10yOQyBIW15_XkY_Ebz5D8Lvon8_OdAOvjPhNW7UehPNVQ2xsp_3KhpRl_vC7/s400/050.JPG" title="Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti met with Teamsters Horsemen during Los Angeles Labor Day festivities." width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti (center) met with Teamsters during picnic.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>We're catching up with our Labor Day coverage. Here is a dispatch from California: </i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">About 250 Southern California Teamsters joined more than 2,000 of their union brothers and sisters Monday in Los Angeles to march for workers’ rights. </span><a href="http://www.lalbharborlabor.org/" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Labor Day parade</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and rally took place near the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, where </span><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2013/08/la-port-strike-ends-with-return-to-work.html" rel="nofollow">port truck drivers have been fighting</a></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> for fair treatment and the right to organize.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Led by three 18-wheelers in front and about 100 motorcycles and classic cars in back, Teamsters from several different locals across the region chanted, cheered and revved their engines while traversing the mile-long parade route. They also delighted the hundreds of spectators taking in the event with their call-and-response cheers:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rolling, rolling, rolling with the Teamsters! Who are we? Teamsters!</span></blockquote><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anthony Balbastro, a <a href="http://www.teamsters63.org/" rel="nofollow">Teamsters Local 63</a> member and a shop steward at United Stationers, said the Labor Day event filled him with pride:</span></div><div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Only in America can you stand next to other brothers and sisters and march.</span></blockquote></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Patrick Kelly, secretary-treasurer of <a href="http://www.teamsters952.org/" rel="nofollow">Teamsters Local 952</a>, said the parade sends an important message to all workers:<o:p></o:p></span><br /><div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is an example of collective direct action where we can show the community who we are. It is important to reaffirm solidarity among working people.</span></blockquote></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And a group of retired Teamsters said they are concerned about the next generation of workers. Dan Salazar, a retired member of Teamsters Local 63, said:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are here out of respect for the lifestyle we enjoy for our families. We want other people to enjoy what we had. The laws have changed, peoples’ culture has changed. They are starting to get left behind.<o:p></o:p></span></blockquote></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuQtLagdCg9rtRmy2IPFnvVAySsF3Q6RTjpB_UnSXS9jGMV-gBthO8Ai_UiOJQVhS5kBl9EWlojhEEuUcXUWYtf5KqSQljNCjWO231adkzRy2fH4UQLCj_E4LTpoNZSw4dmi4xdReV3Gp/s1600/038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuQtLagdCg9rtRmy2IPFnvVAySsF3Q6RTjpB_UnSXS9jGMV-gBthO8Ai_UiOJQVhS5kBl9EWlojhEEuUcXUWYtf5KqSQljNCjWO231adkzRy2fH4UQLCj_E4LTpoNZSw4dmi4xdReV3Gp/s320/038.JPG" title="Teamsters marching during the parade want better jobs, schools and health care." width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teamsters marched for a better life for the middle class.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Salazar said he was encouraged by recent actions by low-wage workers. Last week, </span><a href="http://www.teamsternation.blogspot.com/2013/08/la-port-strike-ends-with-return-to-work.html"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">L.A. port truck drivers returned to work after a historic 24-hour strike</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> ended against trucking company Green Fleet Systems. The drivers struck to protest unfair labor practices by Green Fleet’s management, including unlawful anti-union retaliation, harassment and intimidation.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The short, sudden port truck driver strike was followed by more job actions by low-wage workers around the country. Fast-food workers in more than 50 U.S. cities walked off the job on Thursday. <a href="http://www.thenation.com/blog/175995/protesting-activists-firings-walmart-workers-plan-biggest-mobilization-black-friday#axzz2dwMbJVgt" rel="nofollow">Walmart workers are planning to strike</a> in 15 cities tomorrow, their largest mobilization since Black Friday. <o:p></o:p></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After the parade, people thronged a local park for a barbecue and entertainment. Joining them were federal, state and local elected officials who pledged to work on behalf of workers for fairer wages. <o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Newly elected <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Garcetti" rel="nofollow">Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti</a> said now is the time to stand up for workers:</span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We will fight for a living wage. And better schools. And a greater Los Angeles.</span></blockquote></div>

California Labor Day Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti Teamsters Teamsters join LA Labor Day march for workers

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti (center) met with Teamsters during picnic.We're catching up with our Labor Day coverage. Here is a dispatch from California: About 250 Southern California Teamsters joined more than 2,000 of their union brothers and si…

Union members lead Minnesota anti-TPP march

9:07 AM Tukiyooo 0

fast track Teamsters TPP Union members lead Minnesota anti-TPP march

Union members took to the street in Minneapolis to protest the TPP.About 200 Teamsters and other union members marched against the corporate-dominated Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) during a protest in downtown Minneapolis yesterday afternoon. Th…

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