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:
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.
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
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!
