Local News|
Make your Teamsters Union Stronger! To: All Teamsters Local926 members and their families From: Your Executive Board Subject: Employee Free Choice Act Date: January 5th, 2009 Dear Sisters and Brothers: During the last eight (8) years workers and their Unions have been under constant attack. As a result the average wage has decreased, household costs have gone up, workers are either paying more for or they have lost health care benifits and our Pension funds are in danger. Those appointed to goverment positions, responsible to protect the workers' right to organize Unions, have allowed Employers to corrupt the process, fire organizers and refuse to bargin a fair contract if an election is won. They have allowed a democratic process to be run over with fear, threats and intimidation. Labors numbers have fallen to an all time low and your ability to gain and share of the pie, at the bargining table, has suffered. With the recent Presidential election behind us, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Union, in co-operation with the AFL/CIO and other labor groups have begun to push to pass legislation that will reverse the damages done and level the playing field. During the last session of Congress, the House of Representitives passed the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) only to have the Republican Senators fillibuster the Bill. Under EFCA workers would have the option to sign cards, authorizing a Labor Union to represent them, when a majority of employees sign up the Company would be obligated to recognize their Union. The legislation also provides for binding arbitration, after a period of negotiations, that would result in a first contract. Recent studies have shown that over 80% of workers want a Union, and would form a Union if this process was in place. As a Unionist you will benefit from increased strength and your contracts would get better. For this effort to succeed your help is needed. Your Steward has recieved a supply of "Mobilization Cards" which will presented to the incoming Congress to urge passage of a new bill. Please sign one and encourage your family and friends to do the same. There is no need to individually mail the cards; you may simply give them to your Steward, who will return them to the Union's office and we will get them to the I.B.T. Do not hesitate, the future of your job and organized labor depends on your help. Fraternally yours, Charles M. Byrnes Scott Stanley Robert Frank Secretary-Treasurer President Vice-President Business Representative Marc Dreves Paul 'Dino" Taormina Recording Secretary Business Representative Business Representative Leonard Kulwicki Gwen Helms Joel Helfand Trustee Trustee Trustee |
||||
|
|
Report from Business Agent Marc Dreves Contract Negotiations
Vanguard Car Rental: Our members ratified a three (3) year Agreement with the Company on Thursday, July 17, 2008. Term of Agreement January 14, 2008 thru January 14, 2011. Brother Byrnes and I will be attending an Industrial Trades Division meeting in September to address the many issues that face the Rent a Car Industry in the coming years. We both believe that the Division and all Locals must be come united to fight the Company and the demise of the Rent Industry.
Avis Car Rental: We had two (2) meetings to date. There are two (2) dates scheduled in October. There is an Extension Agreement in place with retro-activity.
Hertz Car Rental: Proposal meeting is scheduled and negotiations are scheduled for November 4 and 5, 2008. The Company has started layoffs at each location in U.S.
Dithridge Towers: The parties reached an Agreement on a new three (3) year deal. This included wage increase no employee co-pay for health care and improved in Employer match in 401K. Unanimously approved.
Danzas AEI: The parties reached a tentative Agreement on a Local Supplement and await the vote on the National Agreement. Our members unanimously approved Local Union Supplement Agreement on Monday, September 29, 2008.
There are many issues in the Car Rental Industry at this time that Brother Brynes and I plan to address at the upcoming Industrial Trades meeting in September; I will make a report at the October membership meeting and on the Local Web site in coming months.
Parking Industry: The Pittsburgh Parking Authority, Allegheny Parking, Central Property Services, Interpark, Central Parking, Omni Hotel and Tri-State Valet Hilton have all ratified new Labor Agreements. All moved to a much better health care plan, received wage and Pension increases. The Agreements are all three (3) year Agreements.
Parking Company of America: "Fastrack Parking", we reached Agreement on a new Agreement in January of this year.
Globe Parking: "New Organizing". We started Negotiations with the Company on a first Contract; things are moving but slowly.
Western Pa Teamsters and Employer Welfare Fund: Our members approved a new Five (5) year Agreement with the same increase as the Master Freight Agreement.
Passavant Memorial Homes: The Labor Agreement expires at the end of December. The parties have had one (1) meeting date which was Thursday, August 21, 2008 for exchange of proposal. There are dates scheduled for Monday, September 15, 2008, Thursday, September 18, 2008 and October 2, 2008. We have over 650 members at Passavant at two centers over 100 Community houses and more to come. We have had five (5) meetings with Company and these are moving slowly.
Penske Truck Leasing: The parties have agreed on dates to begin negotiations Tuesday, September 30, Wednesday, October 1, Monday, October 20 and Tuesday, October 21, 2008. A proposal meeting has been scheduled for Sunday, September 14, 2008 at the Local Union Office.
On a special note I ask that each of you keep Brother Byrnes in your prayers while he fights the battle with cancer. We speak on a daily basis and consult on many issues. He is in the office when his health allows and he is not having chemo treatments.
Until he returns on a daily basis please contact Dino or myself. We are both handling anything that Brother Brynes has that comes up.
We are appointing President Scott Stanley as a full-time Business Representative on a temporary basis to fill in while Brother Byrnes is off. 
|
|||
|
|
Organizing new members If you know someone who works in a non-union job and would like to improve their working conditions, wages, benefits and the quality of their lives, refer them to your Steward at work or Business Agent . There is no one more powerful as an organizing force than you and your local! You can tell those workers about your local union and how it has made a difference in your life. |
|||
 Teamsters form new labor coalition. During the AFL-CIO convention in 2005, the IBT announced their intentions to form a new coalition with the SEIU and other national unions to form the Change To Win Labor Coalition. |
||||