Relative to H.R. 397, the Rehabilitation for Multiemployer Pensions Act aka The Butch Lewis Act, the Teamsters Department of Political and Legislation Action released the following information:
“The House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal (MA-1) has formally noticed the mark-up of the Rehabilitation for Multiemployer Pensions Act (HR 397) for Wednesday, July 10 at 10:00am ET. Following the mark-up, the committee members will vote on this bill. This is the final step before a full floor vote in the U.S. House of Representatives. You can watch a live stream of the hearing here.
“General President Hoffa sent the attached letter to members of the committee, urging them to pass the bill out of committee. Teamster members and retirees from across the country have made their voices heard in their districts and with calls into congressional offices. This nationally coordinated effort will culminate with a rally at the capitol on Wednesday morning, hosted by the General President to keep the pressure on our congressional members to show leadership on this very important issue.”
We walked in at midnight on New Year’s Day with one goal: Serving YOU.
On the Shop Floor and at the Gates
Last month, we ordered new Weingarten Rights cards for you to carry and have been distributing those at the gates while also signing up new members, gathering Feeder surveys regarding your experiences while using the Bendix/Wingman system (in order to build steam for our anti-Peloton platooning campaign), and ensuring every member we meet fully understands we are here to assist and how s/he can reach us. Over the course of the past few weeks, we’ve largely focused on shops in the most critical need of representation, blitzing those areas repeatedly during different times of the operation to drive our point home with management: We are not backing down.
New Steward Training
On March 2nd, Business Agents Andrew Reddell and Bobby Jach hosted our first New Steward Training Seminar, targeting the areas we identified as urgently needing Union involvement. Field Agent / Communications Director Kristan Turns led an exercise and discussion in signing up new members during orientation classes and encouraging coworkers to become more involved. President Perrier and Secretary Treasurer Romo attended as well, delivering helpful tips. Congratulations to all: Ruth Rich, Eugene Garcia, Jeff Winchester, Jess Davis, Alexander Dorsey, Chris Linton, Manuel Moreno, William Hale, Elizabeth Lopez, and Recording Secretary Debbie Jennings.
Contracts, Negotiations, Meetings, and Political Updates
Americold Brothers and Sisters, round two of negotiations begins March 11th. The contract has been extended through March 31st, with a third set of meetings also scheduled prior to that date. Business Agent Andrew Reddell reminds all Americold members in those facilities to focus on reaching out to coworkers to express the importance of supporting a solid contract by becoming engaged and active.
UPS Teamsters voted on supplemental agreements yesterday. Teamsters Local 89 reported:
Today votes were counted for three of the four remaining UPS supplements.
Local 243 members in Detroit voted 88.13% no. Members in the Western PA supplement voted 96.42% no. Notably, the company actually offered a worse contract to Western PA members in this round than they did in the first vote.
Central PA members also voted no by 56.62%. Unfortunately, this was not a 2/3rds rejection and less than 50% of eligible members voted, so it is almost certain that the IBT will forcibly ratify this agreement as they have so many others.
These agreements, plus Local 804’s supplement which will be voted soon, are the last UPS agreements remaining across the country.
We support and respect our Brothers and Sisters throughout the voting and negotiation processes. Once these agreements are all ratified, UPSers can expect retroactive pay increase reimbursements dating back to August 1, 2018.
Week before last, legislative language was introduced in Austin that would allow public transportation vehicles with connected braking systems to decrease the legally afforded following distances. We are communicating with the Texas AFL-CIO and other local unions, state politicians, and the IBT about this alarming issue that could usher in Peloton’s ability to also begin platooning practices here. Last week, President Perrier and Kristan Turns met with the President of the Tarrant County AFL-CIO and staff to outline thoughts and solutions going forward. 767 Political Coordinator Scott Sexton will be addressing the matter with members before the General Membership Meeting on March 23rd in an 8:30am Organizing and Political Education Committee gathering at the hall. All interested members are encouraged to attend.
Our agents have had a very busy month between local hearings and preparations thereof, SRAPGC, Deadlock Panel, and National Panel. We have very exciting updates in those areas and will be bringing you that news shortly.
During the February meeting, we welcomed Sister Karen Berry, a longtime UPS DFW Combo, back to her Union Hall home. Karen suffered a life changing, medical setback last year and has been in recovery and rehabilitation for many months. President Perrier presented her with an embroidered blanket, and Sister Berry received a standing ovation. We love you, Karen, and are so glad to see you up and full of fight.
BAs Don Pontecorvo, Jeff Schenfeld, and Secretary Treasurer / BA Romo delivered a 25-plus-year jacket this week to our Brother Mario Rangel from UPS Dallas Package. Rangel is battling aggressive cancer at this time, and we have him heavily in our thoughts and warmly in our hearts. Please send positivity, love, and prayers to our Brother and his family. Rangel, we stand with you.
Stay Tuned. Stand Ready.
We have several opportunities in the works for members to become more involved in various committees and projects happening within our Local and alongside our labor partners that we’ll be posting about shortly. If you are not already following our social media accounts, check them out via the icons on this page (to the right on desk/laptop versions and below on mobile).
Last week we put our words into action, joining forces with the Texas AFL-CIO at the Texas State Capitol. Thanks to President Rick Levy and his lege-savvy, incredibly helpful staff, President Perrier, Trustee Benny Brooks, Kristan Turns (767 Communications), Steward Scott Sexton, and Business Agent Dan Williams were able to voice our local’s concerns regarding Peloton’s platooning project to many legislators. At this time, Peloton is unable to legally operate on Texas roads due to current following distance laws. However, we are watchful of any pending legislation to alter that language. Stay tuned for ways you can help in the next phase of this battle.
Take a look through the gallery from our visit and see if you can find your representative:
Presidents Perrier and Levy
TX AFL-CIO HQ
Meeting with Rep. Terry Canales’ office with TX AFL-CIO and BLET
Inside the Capitol
Meeting with Rep. Craig Goldman
Rep. Craig Goldman shows off his UPS truck
Pres. Perrier signs the guestbook in Rep. Victoria Neave’s office
Meeting with Rep. Chris Turner and aides from Senator Beverly Powell’s office
It was an HONOR to meet Rep. Armando Martinez, the only union member serving in the House of Reps.
Sharing our concern with Rep. Royce West’s office
TX AFL-CIO HQ
The Capitol’s Dome is beautiful.
And these are just a few of the photos we captured for you! Our representatives also visited the hardworking staff for: Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, Rep. Ramon Romero, Jr., Rep. Yvonne Davis, and Rep. Nicole Collier. Senator Bryan Hughes was kind to meet with us, as well, on his way to another meeting. Again, many thanks to our friends at the Texas AFL-CIO for facilitating, navigating, and mentoring our group.
As some of us focused on legislative action, business agents at the Local prepared for this week’s SRAPGC, attended various meetings, and conducted shop visits. Lots of them. BA LaQuanda Chatman reported ongoing issues with supervisors working, which is a major concern across the board and at every hub. In the past week, every agent, along with President Perrier, has been on UPS property, speaking with members and surveilling issues during work operations.
As you can see, we’ve also started new member registration drives, which we’ll be holding regularly along with implementing and continuing new-hire orientation programs led by stewards and our internal organizing unit. This month during the drives, we’ll be distributing your new, laminated Weingarten Rights cards that were discussed at the last General Membership Meeting. If you’d like to pick one up in person without having to wait for a shop visit, feel free to stop by the hall or grab one at the February 23rd monthly meeting.
On the Americold front, Business Agent Andrew Reddell says phase two of contract negotiations resume on February 14, 15, and 18.
One of the areas in which we’d like to serve our membership more effectively is to work together to positively impact our communities. Be looking for announcements for various committees and ways in which YOU are needed in the near future. We’ll be beginning this program by reinstating the Women’s Committee, which has done some fantastic charitable work in the past. If you’re interested in learning more, contact Kristan Turns at: kturns@local767.com. If you have ideas or input, drop Kristan a line for sure. All are welcome!
On Monday, officers from our Executive Board flew to Washington, D.C., to attend training and educational courses at the IBT. President Perrier reported that, although ongoing, the team is learning about important topics and enjoying hearing about the detailed history of our great Teamsters Union. He’s bringing back some new ideas and information to share with all. Check out some of the photos he’s sent:
We hope you’re all having a great week out there and are staying dry and warm. For daily updates, be sure to check out our social media accounts (the icons to the right, under the headers of each page, will take you straight to our Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Youtube).
