With the first round of Americold negotiations in conclusion, President Perrier and Business Agents Andrew Reddell, Bobby Jach, Dan Williams, and Aldo Trevino took time this week to connect with affected employees, briefing our Brothers and Sisters about the proceedings.
The group toured the main facility and listened to workers between shifts, stressing the importance of solidarity and increased activity.
Our current bargaining agreement with Americold is slated to expire on February 18th. More updates will follow shortly on those efforts.
Over the past couple of weeks, we have been busy updating bulletin boards with current information. There are a ton, and we want to reach every member, so we are looking for stewards in each work area who can monitor these important communication boards. Contact your Business Agent for more details.
Many thanks to Brother Eric King for putting together the graphics, PDFs, and for generating bulletin board packets. We are so grateful for your hard work.
Newly updated communication board at Americold
Old bulletin board with outdated info, covered in sheets of dust
Disgusting. If you see anything like this, notify your steward or BA.
This administration hit the ground running full steam ahead at midnight on New Year’s Day and hasn’t taken a day off since. There is a lot involved in the changing of hands within a Local’s leadership and staff, and we have worked many long hours in order to achieve this goal in a timely, organized manner while simultaneously serving your ongoing needs.
Shop Visits: Can’t Stop/Won’t Stop! We Work for You.
With the transition team back at the office completing various support tasks, your agents were able to begin representing workers at job sites immediately. Here are just a few of those reports:
UPS Dallas, 5:30 am. Thanks to Eric King for creating informative literature for the members!
At the UPS Dallas Hub, Business Agent Aldo Trevino was able to return an off-the-clock employee back to work on the same day as his long-awaited hearing. Within the same facility, BAs spent hours observing necessary changes needed to improve work conditions, including many instances of supervisors working. This was addressed immediately with management and will continue to be reviewed and monitored.
Romo reviewing a case.
Pontecorvo discussing observations.
Scott and Romo at INDTX.
Additionally, multiple BAs visited the UPS Independence Hub and observed the operation inside that facility. President Perrier and BA Jeff Schenfeld traveled to UPS Palestine to speak with employees there about what they would like to see going forward from our Local leaders and representatives.
Palestine met BA Schenfeld.
Brian Perrier wanted to meet the members in Palestine.
The calls don’t stop, but that’s why they make headsets, right?
Planning and Training to Secure Your Future
BA Andrew Reddell and Assistant BA Dan Williams welcomed Americold Stewards last week and began contract discussions for employees at those two facilities. Throughout the week, we’ve hosted various internal Americold meetings and have already started planning the tedious upcoming negotiation period. Former BA Brother Scott Sexton has provided assistance during this time, and we appreciate his support.
Longtime BA Richard Devries from Teamsters Local 705 training new BAs and Stewards from various work sites.
Business Agents, along with various Stewards who assisted during the transitional process (more training to follow shortly for all), attended a three-day, Friday-through-Sunday course led by Local 705’s Richard Devries. Brother Devries has served as a Business Agent for many years and has a decades-long history of activism with the Teamsters Labor Union. Many thanks to Brother Devries for sharing his knowledge with our Local.
A New Year, a New Direction
A New Beginning
As the clock struck midnight on January 1, 2019, your Executive Board Officers and transition team immediately began the process of swearing in the new leadership and assessing immediate needs. The team was so pleasantly surprised and encouraged to see many excited members who stopped by the Local to offer support and best wishes for the incoming administration. Here are some candid photos from that first morning. Brothers and Sisters, many thanks. We are looking forward to serving alongside each of all 9,000+ of you!
