The ballots were counted on September 13^th, 2019 for the Sysco NM Tentative Agreement (T/A). The T/A passed with 63% voting to ratify the contract by a vote of 79 to 46 with 86% of eligible members voting. We want to thank all the Sysco Members who voted and congratulate them on their new contract. Teamsters Local 492 would also like to thank the JC#3 President Steve Vairma, and IBT representatives Tamlya Edwards, Denny Toland, Sean Rudolph, Tom Erickson, Dave Hawely, Kathy Tiihonen, Michael Manley and all of the 492 committee members that helped negotiate the new agreement.

This was a long battle and we want to thank members for their patience while we worked to get an agreement. Local 492 Staff started preparing for this Sysco battle in October of 2018, which included getting the IBT involved. Before our first meeting with the stewards in December, Local 492 B/A’s Trey White, Tracy McCarty and Melissa Malcom had already done a lot of work and research to get ready for the fight because of Sysco’s history with the union. Local 492 has negotiated 7 CBA’s this year but by far has put more time and resources into the Sysco CBA than any other 492 local agreement. 

In December, we sent out proposal surveys to the Sysco Members and then in January, we held a proposal meeting with the Sysco members. IBT representatives Tamlya Edwards, Denny Toland and Sean Rudolph were present to answer questions about DIP/WHIP and negotiation preparation. In April, IBT Vice President Steve Vairma and Kathy Tiihonen joined us for two more meetings with the Sysco members to explain how to work under an expired contract. For the first time in 492’s history, Local 492 chose not to give the company a contract extension due to Sysco’s propensity to drag out negotiations.  In June, Local 492 had another meeting with members and a strike authorization vote was taken (which was unanimous among the 57 Sysco Teamsters that showed up) due to the company not willing to budge on many items the members said were important to them. This seemed to help because Sysco’s attitude at the table quickly changed and we were able to make significant progress with the non-economic issues. In July, we attempted a practice picket, and had two sticker/button days. Two weeks later, we had a Tentative Agreement (T/A). Local 492 then had another meeting in July with the Sysco members to discuss the agreement and answer the members’ questions.  The 25 members that attended informed us that they were not satisfied with the economic package. 

In August, the Sysco members rejected the T/A by a vote of 44-29. When threatening a strike, this very low voting turnout (150 member unit) is a concerning issue for the Union because the Union needs full cooperation from all of the members to have a productive strike. Regardless of the voting participation issue, the 492 Teamster Committee Members knew we needed to get more from the company. Along with IBT representatives Sean Rudolph and Dave Hawley, the 492 committee met with the Company again in September and were able to secure a $500 signing bonus for members and a .90¢ wage increase in the first year for drivers, which is about double what they have received in previous contracts.

Communicating with the Sysco Members was a high priority for Local 492 and we tried to get as many members engaged in this fight as possible because we know that when all of the members are united, it sends a clear message to the company. We sent out dozens of email blasts and for the first time, Local 492 also text the members directly. From January thru July, Local 492 held 6 meetings with the members in ABQ and even traveled to the southern area of the state 3 times (March, July, and September) and twice in the northern area (July & September).  The 492 Sysco Teamster Committee met with the Company 25 times over a 6 month period. Local 492 B/A’s had countless calls with the dozens of IBT experts to guide us a through this long journey.

After nearly a year between start and finish working on this CBA, we now have a ratified agreement. With 46 members still voting against the second tentative agreement, there are obviously some that believe there was more to get from Sysco. These members deserve every penny we can squeeze from Sysco and we made great progress during this negotiation, even if it wasn’t all everyone had hoped for. The key to putting pressure on companies like Sysco is the unified front from all of the members. We saw a lot of unity this year and we hope to build on that momentum in the future with these great Sysco members and at least double the member participation that we had this time around to get an even better contract next time.  

Below are some of the highlights of the new agreement:

The New Ratified CBA will expire on April 25, 2025 and now includes a signing bonus of $500.00 for every fulltime employee (even those on DIP/WHIP).

The new wage package includes a record setting large increase upfront in the first year of .90¢ for Drivers and .70¢ for whse.

The company has also made a verbal commitment to correct loading issues regarding not giving drivers enough space around the back of the door and the freezer door so drivers can safely unload at their first stop.

We made a lot of headway getting some of the biggest issues addressed that the members, told us they had with their contract.  Some of the issues resolved include;

• Several improvements to the vacation language, including: (1) An increase to 2 weeks’ vacation after only 6 months seniority, (2) a 5^th week for those with 25 years or more, (3) The option to cash out all weeks of vacation, (4) Company will now cash out all unused vacation upon voluntary quit, retire, resign or layoff, (5) Paid vacation will now show as “time worked” when calculating overtime hours.
• Part-time employee’s improvements include preventing future overuse of using part-timers and terminating part-timers at will.
• The Union gave the Company the ability to post driver bids as single day (They are not forced to do so but now once again have the ability)
• The Company must now notify the Union before changing WHIP or DIP
• Increased the meal allowance for overnight drivers
• Added new language to the grievance procedure we hope will help better resolve issues that come up in the future.
• Added language to stop the abuse of supervisors working, including requirement to exhaust all those wanting overtime.
• Paid Holidays and Paid Vacations will now be included as “time worked” when calculating overtime hours.   

• Multiple issues resolved regarding posting bids
• Posting overtime sheets
• Driver protection if bid is abolished
• Restructured night differential in the whse
• Extra break for whse employees working long hours

The Teamsters unveiled a new national 2020 presidential election survey Thursday that will allow members to give the union input on the issues that matter most to them so that the Teamsters in turn can get answers from contenders that it can then share with the membership.

By going to www.teamsters2020.com Teamsters can access an online version of the survey. It is all part of the union’s effort to find out what is on the mind of members. Using that information, the union will then query presidential candidates interested in receiving the Teamsters’ endorsement.

“We’ve got to shape the debate about what this election is about,” Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa told attendees at the 2019 Teamster political coordinators meeting, where the survey debuted. “Candidates are going to come to us and ask for our support. But at this time, I’m not hearing what we should be hearing on the issues.”

Over the next two months, the Teamsters will gather opinions from members, which in turn the union will use in its ongoing conversations with the presidential candidates. Those responses, as well as candidate video interviews and participation in pro-union activities, will all influence the Teamsters’ endorsement decision.

Candidates seeking the blessing and support of the Teamsters must understand the importance unions play in the working lives of the American worker and the economy as a whole. Supporting organizing efforts and standing for fairness and respect in the workplace is essential.

The survey also serves as the start of the Teamsters member engagement and education effort for the 2020 election.  Would-be voters must educate themselves. What are the candidates’ views of the future for working Americans? And how will they affect not only workers today, but their children and grandchildren who will need to support themselves in the decades to come? That is something the Teamsters plan on helping its membership discern in the months ahead.

"The Teamsters want to hear from members about what their issues and concerns are as the nation prepares for this pivotal election," Teamsters general President Jim Hoffa said. "This union will be putting on a full-court press to demand that any candidate for president listen to our members and address our concerns. The Teamster 2020 survey is an important step as we hear directly from our members on what issues they'll be voting on."

Workers deserve politicians who are partners that realize that it is not just jobs, but the quality and dependability of those jobs that matters. U.S. leadership should realize that those who worked hard and played by the rules should have the ability to provide a comfortable life for their loved ones, and retire with the benefits they were promised. That needs to be the goal of anyone seeking to be president Working Americans are facing numerous challenges.

Teamsters Local 492 Film Division Agent Melissa Malcom served on the 2019 NM Film and Media Industry Conference Union Panel again this year, representing NM Unions and the Teamsters Thursday thru Saturday (Aug 8-10, 2019). There was a record 450 people and over 60 vendors that attended the 8^th annual event. Sister Malcom spoke to hundreds of attendees and answered a number of questions from the audience including many questions about how to become a Teamster in Film (Click Here to learn more about Teamster Movie Jobs). She spoke about being professional on set which included the importance of “set & road etiquette” and what that means.

Melissa Malcom also emphasized the importance of doing a good job, staying busy and following instructions in order to build a good reputation which would help get future productions to want to hire an individual on their next show. “Treat the job you have now like an interview for your next job," 492 Film BA Melissa Malcom said to the large audience.  "The film workers that work hard, show up on time, act in a professional manner, do what the Captains ask and don’t damage the production companies property, are the workers that are going to be picked by productions from our referral list in the future. Unfortunately, there are workers out there that can’t seem to understand how important this is.” 

Your Union is looking for volunteers to help with the 2019 NM Teamster Appreciation Day event. Whether you are willing to help with the set-up, help all day, or just for a few hours, please let us know if you are interested in volunteering by Clicking Here.

The 2019 NM Teamster Appreciation Day event is in only a month away, Saturday September 28th, 2019 from 11am to 2:30pm. So save the date in your calendar now! Enjoy free food with music and fun for the kids! Also, come get your free 2019 NMTAD Teamster shirt, and win great free raffle prizes and much more! Make sure to bring your Family and get to know The 492 Teamsters Executive Board, Business Agents & Staff. You can download the Event Flyer by Clicking Here.

Stewards: You should have received the flyer in the mail last week. If you did not receive it, please download the flyer and post ASAP and then call Darlene at 505-344-1925 ex 12 to make sure we have your correct current address.

Below are Local 492 articles you may be interested in:

• Take the Teamsters 2020 Presidential Survey
• 492 Agent Malcom Speaks at 2019 NM Film and Media Industry Conference Union Panel
• New WCT Pension Login Feature
• ABF Teamster Donald Wood Highway Angel
• 2019 New Mexico Truck Driving Championships
• Gov. Says YES to NM Film Industry

NMTAD2019FlyerPDF.pdf