Teamsters Local 492

The Teamsters Dominated The NM Truck Roadeo Again!

Dec 06, 2011

The Teamsters dominated the NM Truck Roadeo again this year, taking 1^st place in 5 of the 8 categories they competed in, (no Teamsters competed in the Step Van) and also took the Team trophy, again. Click Here to view all the photos. To view last year’s results, Click Here.

ABF

ABF had 5 first place winners which qualifies these drivers for a trip to Orlando to compete at the 2011 Nationals. ABF had 13 participants and 8 received trophies for their efforts.

1^st 4 axle - Gerald Benavidez

1^st 5 axle - Michael Contreras (3-peat)

1^st` Sleeper - James Morgan

1^st Flatbed - Ralph Garcia (9-peat)

1^st Tanker - Bill Sanchez

2^nd Twins - Craig Arellano

3^rd Twins - Chad Sullins

3^rd 3 axle - Charlie Estrada

ABF’s other participants included Donnie Tafoya - 4 Axle, Don Wood - 3 Axle, Ricky Lucas - Twins, Kirk Weis – Straight Truck, and Ben Saiz - 5 axle sleeper.

ABF/NM won the TEAM trophy for the 5^th year in a row! ABF also had 2 Drivers of the Month honored. City Driver Richard Smith, for July, and Road Driver Phil Tafoya, for October.

ABF provided water and ice to the DOT MTP Challenge. ABF Line Driver Charlie Estrada and Line Haul Manager Randy Archer also assisted them during the interview part of their competition.

ABF Line Driver Jim Curtis, who serves as America’s Road Team Captain, was a very valuable contributor with his time and effort. He was the hostling committee chairman and helped Jim Wilcox Jr., a Retired YRCW Teamster, set up the two courses. Mr. Curtis also hostled the trucks all day, and helped tear it all down and put it away afterwords.

A special thanks to Retired Roadway Driver Kim Hendrix and his son, and Local 492 Trustee Trey White, who also serves as a Union Steward at ABF, for volunteering their time to help hostle all the equipment all day and make sure everything was where it was suppose to be and when it was needed.

YRCW

YRCW/NM won an award for Highest Highway Safety Achievement - First Place over 8,000,000 Miles driven without preventable accidents.

YRC had 4 drivers compete this year:

Gilbert Gonzales, from Albuquerque - Twins

Randy Amberman from Farmington - 3 Axle

Chris Kovacs from Farmington - 3 Axle

Mark Gauthier from Farmington - 3 Axle

TDI- Sara Lee

For the 3^rd year in a row, TDI (formerly SCS) Sara Lee New Mexico won the Highest Highway Safety Achievement award for the 100,000 to 500,000 mileage class.

The New Mexico Trucking Association awarded TDI Driver Brian Thais, Driver of the Month for December 2010. Brian also completed in the 4 axle this year.

Teamsters Local 492 is proud to have the Union represented so well at the NM Truck Roadeo and wishes to thank the 18 drivers and all the volunteers for making this Roadeo another great one. If you did not participate this year we encourage you to talk to your employer and compete next year. Let’s show those non-union drivers how the pro’s do it!

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February 2026

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WORKERS DAY Jan 22, 2026

WORKERS DAY: NM Lawmakers MUST Choose Workers Over Billionaires this Legislative Session Unions and community organizations will gather at the state capitol during the upcoming 2026 Legislative Session to call on lawmakers to do right by New Mexico workers. Join us from 1 pm to rally in the Rotunda and listen to movement leaders from across New Mexico (speakers list TBA).

UPS Article 17 Penalty Pay Update

1/6/2026 - UPS Article 17 Penalty Pay Update Attention All UPS Teamsters: (Article 17) New Payroll Penalty Language Now in Effect Per Article 17, of the National Master Agreement, the updated payroll penalty provisions have officially taken effect.

Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trust Appointments Available

Teamster Local 492 will have a representative from the Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Plan from Northwest Administrators in our office this month. This is your opportunity to meet face-to-face and review your pension value and where you stand on any PEER requirements, if applicable.

Teamsters VIP+ Voluntary Income Protection Plus Plan

New benefit options available to protect your income when you can’t work due to injuries, illnesses, surgeries, loss of DOT License or FAA Medical Certification (due to medical reasons), or death.

2026 Teamsters Scholarship

The Teamsters Scholarship Fund applications are now available at Teamster.org/scholarships. In order to expedite the awarding of scholarships, applications will be accepted through April 1, 2026.

ABF Pension Increase 2025

ABF Pension Increase 2025 9/24/2025 - This notice is to inform you of the contractual pension contribution increase that takes effect August l, 2025, through July 31, 2026, under the ABF NMFA agreement. The contribution rate will increase by $0.80 per hour, with the entire amount applied to your pension.

Creamland Teamsters at Local 492 Unanimously Ratify Contract!

9/11/2025 - The strike against Creamland Dairy has ended after 1 week. Teamsters Local 492 would like to thank all the dedicated Teamsters who took time out of their busy lives to support their Brothers and Sisters at Creamland. We are so proud of our Creamland Teamsters for their sacrifice through the strike in order to get a fair contract.

UPS’s DVS BUYOUT PROGRAM: A DEVIOUS PLAN

Click "read more" to view the full flyer.