Click Here to Download the Tee-shirt Contest Flyer

Click Here to Download the NM Teamsters Appreciation Day Flyer

NCRTD (Blue Bus) Driver Nick Molina, who is a Teamster Local 492 Union Steward, was recently given the “Above and Beyond Award”. Nick recently celebrated his seventh anniversary, making him one of the longest employed drivers at NCRTD. The Company was quoted as saying “He has been tremendously valuable as an employee during these years.”

Earlier this year, Brother Molina helped NCRTD achieve second place in the Los Alamos Winterfest Light Parade. He is a dedicated Driver and gave 100% to the parade, including several hours on his own time. Because of his extensive knowledge and enthusiasm for the project, NCRTD was welcomed in both the Espanola and Los Alamos communities. NCRTD received a second place award in Los Alamos, and a warm reception as well as some loud cheers for RTD in Española. NCRTD was very thankful for Nick’s hard work and dedication.

Brother Molina also took part in the 2015 NMTA Transit Roadeo this year, taking second place in the Van Competition scoring a total of 678 points out of 775!  The Roadeo Includes competition events for both bus Drivers and bus Mechanics. Awards are given in each practice area and there is an overall grand prize for the transit system with the highest combined score for the bus operator and bus maintenance team.

Through sportsmanship, pride of work and extensive knowledge in all of his interests, both personal and professional, Brother Nick Molina excels in what he does and makes us proud to have him on our team!

Al Weddle has been with YRC Freight for 57 years, the longest tenure of any employee at YRC freight.

From YRC Drive On Magazine

Al Weddle has always been behind the wheel because it's what he loves to do. He began his career with Watson brothers in Phoenix Arizona, and he has been with YRC Freight ever since. Eventually he move to Albuquerque New Mexico, and he is there today, working as a line haul driver.

When asked why he has done this job for so long Al replies that it's just what he likes to do. Born into a family of truck drivers, it comes naturally to him. His father was a driver as well as his uncle, and later his own two sons became drivers.

Al’s love of the open road spills into his personal life as well. When he’s not driving for work, you can find him driving on vacation and spending time with his wife after 53 years marriage.

Although he loves life on the road, he explained that there are still some tough things that come along with it. Traffic and animals are the worst, he says and weather is most bad at night. His advice to drivers is to stay alert at all times.

According to Al, things are pretty much the same on the road now as they were back when he started except for the fact that things are a lot more crowded now. Al says he has just a few pieces of wisdom he would pass along to newer drivers. He reminds them to keep their eyes on the road. After all, just one second of distraction can be disastrous. “Get enough rest and don't fight it, it's much better to pull over and get a few minutes of rest rather than take the chance of getting in an accident. Watch out for those other people and be a good defensive driver.”

Remembering the advice his father passed down to him, Al says when you're on the road, you just have to remember to give yourself room, rest and be patient. Then you'll be just fine.

Al Weddle embodies the spirit shared by YRC Freight; hard work, determination and focus on safety and exceptional customer service. Employees like Al are the ones who contribute everyday to the legacy of YRC Freight.

YRC Freight held an employee safety ceremony to celebrate a safety streak from January 2013 to January of 2015, which set an all time YRC company record, 19 million consecutive accident and injury-free miles accomplished by all 85 Albuquerque Line drivers. This article is an Updated version of an article originally posted on Teamsters492.org in September of 2014. 

Shown in the picture (you can see more pictures by clicking here) the Company presented the specially designed and updated trailer saluting the drivers' achievement at the safety celebration which proudly includes the names of all 85 drivers and the logos of the New Mexico Teamsters and the IBT.  It was altered to read 19 million miles in honor of the more current streak. 

The trailer was originally presently in September 2014 at the 15 million mile celebration, when each driver received a die-cast replica of the equipment and tee-shirts commemorating the amazing accomplishment. You may have noticed the trailer originally showed “TEN” million miles, the tee-shirts given out said 14 million but they celebrated 15 million. That is because when they hit 10 million they started working on the trailer, they had passed 14 million when the shirts were printed, and by the time the celebration actually took place they had hit 15 million. In January of 2015 they hit the 19 million mark and the trailer was updated to reflect that.  

As of September, 35% of these YRC Teamster drivers had driven one million miles or more, two had driven over 4 million miles, two over 3 million miles & 27 drivers had worked more than 25 years injury free.

Also honored at the September 2014 ceremony were:

Al Weddle, 57 years and over 4 million miles injury and accident free

CB Montoya, 42 years and over 4 Million miles injury and accident free

Joe Wright, 37 years accident free

Wes Johnson, 36 years injury and accident free

In attendance, Johnny R. Johnson, Managing Director of the New Mexico Trucking Association and American Trucking Association Chairman Phil Byrd, who spoke at the event. Also in attendance, Teamsters Local 492 Secretary-Treasurer Walter R. Maestas and Business Agent Kevin Pohl, representatives from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and New Mexico Transportation Police, who distributed the 85 donated new child car safety seats to families in need, in the name of each member of the YRC Freight Albuquerque driving team who has contributed to the safety milestone.

YRC Freight President Darren Hawkins said at the September ceremony, "Having 85 drivers work together to achieve 15 million consecutive accident and injury-free miles is a testament to the professionalism of the Albuquerque team. It is a real honor to be in Albuquerque with the drivers today so that we can personally pay tribute to their achievement. The YRC Freight Albuquerque driving team's safety record is evidence of what a team can do when collectively focused not only on their own safety, but also on the safety of others." (There has been no press release from the company about the 19 million mile achievement yet)

Also speaking at the event was Albuquerque YRC Freight Linehaul Manager Hoss Salehian who said, “These Albuquerque drivers set an all time record of 15 million miles driving without lost time and preventable accidents. To put that in perspective, 15 million miles is equivalent of 60 trips between here and the moon and over 600 trips around the earth. I am pleased to recognize these 85 men for their achievement in transportation safety; this is a significant accomplishment that attests to their dedication to safety. These drivers embody the values and professionalism that is YRC Freight. I am very proud of these men and thankful for their dedication and remarkable achievement.”

Teamsters Local 492 is also very proud of our brothers at YRC and wish to congratulate them on this amazing record. As the sign says above the door at the AQE facility, (see picture) “Through This Door, Pass The Finest Union Drivers In North America,” and they have certainly lived up to that! 

This was another good year for the Teamster represented Companies at the 2015 Truck Roadeo. New Mexico Teamsters Local 492 Secretary-Treasurer Walter R. Maestas was there to lend his support to all the Teamsters in the roadeo which included drivers from ABF, Sysco, TeamOne, UPS Freight, and YRC. Individual Teamsters from ABF, TeamOne & YRC took home 10 placement awards, 2 DOM awards and CB Montoya of YRC received the Driver of the Year Award.

Click Here to View Photos provided to us by Ruby Wilson, Thanks Ruby!

This article will be updated as info and pictures are provided to us. At this point only ABF & YRC have responded to our requests for info.

 ABF 

ABF had a  large showing of supporters at this year’s roadeo which included ABF Freight President Tim Thorne, VP of Line haul Mark McMinn, Regional VP Andy Upchurch, West Regional Director Ed Myers, ABF Local Management and employees from the shop, dock, line haul, and office.  

Here are their results:

1^st place in Sleeper class Ralph Garcia, which is his13^th win in a row

1^st place in 5-axle class Charlie Estrada                  

1^st place Straight Truck class Donald Woods

2^nd place Flatbed class Tito Torres                         

3^rd place 4-axle class Ricky Lucas

3^rd place Twins Chad Sullins, his 7^th year in a row placing

3^rd place 5-axle class Michael Contreras          

ABF Freight had 2 drivers honored as “Driver of the Month” for 2014; Carroll Weaver for February and Fred White for March.

ABF won two Fleet safety Awards, the city operation won the 100,000 to 500,000 mile category which they also won last year, and Line Haul won the over 5,000,000 mile award for the 4^th consecutive year!

Line Haul Manager Randy Archer received the 2015  “Jim Wilcox Award" recognizing service in the field of safety.

Also competing from ABF; Randy Amberman (out of Farmington, NM) and Kirk Weis in 3-axle, Gerald Benavidez in 4-axle, Craig Arellano in flatbed, Robert Delgado in tanker, Duane Oldfield in twins.

ABF Freight Safety department has agreed to sponsor a new award, to be called the “Ralph Garcia Award".  It was awarded to ABF driver and 13 time winner Ralph Garcia this year and he will present it to other deserving competitors in the future.  It is for continued excellence in safety and participation in the NM TDC’s. The NM Safety Management Council was inspired by National "Neal Darmstadter Award" when creating this award.

 YRC 

YRC recently celebrated 19 million miles accident and injury free, the streak was from January 2013 to January 2015 (see picture above). Congratulations to all the Teamster drivers at YRC that made this happen! You truly have made us proud. YRC received the “Carrier of the Year” award at the NM TDC this year because of your phenomenal record!  To read an article we posted when they hit 15 million, click here.

Jack Rojas took 2^nd in the 5-axle sleeper and Michael Mcafee took 3^rd in the 5-axle sleeper. CB Montoya received driver of the year for his 6 million miles accident and injury free. CB has been with YRC 43 years, is 77 years old and is still driving safe.  Other Participants from YRC were Leroy EyHcio in 3-axle, Manny Gomez in 5-axle, James Aragon in Twins and Frank Sandoval in Twins.

Team One

Brian Thais took 2^nd place also participating Cameron Misner in 4-axle.

Sysco

Participants included Sean Smartt, Thomas Humphreys, Jose Salas, Pascual Montes all in 3 axle and Aaron Clonan in flatbed.

UPS Freight

Participants included Luis Soliz, Jr & Jose Seijas in 3-axle, Keith Brewer & Stephen Lopez in Twins.

Congratulations to everyone and we look forward to 2016! To view the 2014 TDC article, Click Here.

To View The Score Sheet, Click Here

The Teamster Horsemen Motorcycle Association is starting a new chapter in New Mexico. We are a nonprofit organization set to bring our Teamster Brothers & Sisters together to ride. We will raise funds to help out brother and sister members within the Teamster Union. Our purpose is to help charitable organizations, especially children's causes. We reflect the values of Teamster Brotherhood and camaraderie and support our local communities and greater biker community. We are open to all union members who ride any make of bike as well as others sponsored by a Union member.

For information on joining the NM chapter of the Teamster Horsemen, as well as other officer information, please contact Chuck W 505-401-8346 or Jason P 505-918-4270.

Click here to download a flyer

Retirement Crisis: The Great 401(k) Experiment Has Failed for Many Americans

Kelley Holland for CNBC -You need to know this number: $18,433. That's the median amount in a 401(k) savings account, according to a recent report by the Employee Benefit Research Institute. Almost 40 percent of employees have less than $10,000, even as the proportion of companies offering alternatives like defined benefit pensions continues to drop.

Older workers do tend to have more savings. At Vanguard, for example, the median for savers aged 55 to 64 in 2013 was $76,381. But even at that level, millions of workers nearing retirement are on track to leave the workforce with savings that do not even approach what they will need for health care, let alone daily living. Not surprisingly, retirement is now Americans' top financial worry, according to a recent Gallup poll.  Click Here to read more.

The James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund has announced the topic for the 2015 Essay Contest.  The contest is open to applicants which are the son, daughter or financial dependent of a Teamster member (including GCC, BMWED, BLET members) who are 23 years of age or younger and currently a student at a community college, four-year institution or vocational/technical school.  Winners are awarded $1,000.

The application must be filled out and provided with the essay (500 words or less) no later than June 15, 2015.  Applications and essays may be e-mailed to: Scholarship@teamster.org or mailed in to:  JRHMSF Essay Contest, 25 Louisiana Avenue, NW, Washington, DC  20001.

The 2015 topic is: What impact would an increase in union membership have on the U.S. economy and the middle class?

Click Here to download an application

From the Albuquerque Journal By Dan Boyd A high-profile push to approve a New Mexico right-to-work law stalled during the recent 60-day legislative session, but the issue appears likely to be back next year — both in the Roundhouse and on the 2016 campaign trail.

Business leaders and other backers of the proposed state labor law change say they intend to keep up the pressure, despite strong opposition from state labor unions.

“Nobody locally thinks this issue is dead,” said Drew Dolan, the president of a political committee formed last fall largely to advocate for passage of a right-to-work law. “It’s something our state can do that doesn’t cost a dime and can create more (economic) opportunities the minute it’s approved.”

The group, called Jobs for All New Mexico, drew the ire of majority Senate Democrats during the legislative session by sending out mailers in at least one senator’s district.

But Dolan, who is also the president of Titan Enterprises, an Albuquerque real estate company, said the group will continue to advocate for a right-to-work law. “The goal is to make it a campaign issue,” he said Friday.

All 112 New Mexico legislative seats are up for election in 2016, and many races could be expensive.

On the other side of the issue, labor union leaders say they’re bracing for another attempt at passing right-to-work legislation and also plan to be politically active.

“We absolutely will weigh very heavily where legislators were on basic workplace fairness issues, worker pay and benefits in deciding where we play (in next year’s elections),” said Carter Bundy, political director of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union in New Mexico.

He also said the push to make New Mexico the nation’s 26th state with a right-to-work law —Wisconsin became the 25th earlier this year — has galvanized the state’s unions, saying, “We’re united as we have not been in decades.”

This year’s most visible right-to-work measure cleared New Mexico’s Republican-controlled House, but was derailed in a Senate committee on March 10.

It would have meant nonunion employees — in both the private and public sectors — would not have had to pay union fees as a condition of employment. Though union membership cannot be required under federal law, such fees can be mandated under contracts in unionized workplaces.

Rep. Dennis Roch, R-Logan, who sponsored the House-approved bill, said similar legislation likely will be introduced during next year’s shorter legislative session. The governor has the authority to set the agenda for 30-day sessions.

“It’s something I believe in, and it’s something I’d be interested in doing again,” Roch told the Journal. “I think you’re definitely going to see that show up in the 30-day session.

A spokesman for Gov. Susana Martinez said Friday the Republican governor “absolutely” continues to support the concept behind the bill, but is currently focused on reviewing bills passed during this year’s session.

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Whip Michael Padilla, D-Albuquerque, said any future right-to-work bills would have to be scrutinized, but said he believes such laws in other states have stifled worker pay levels.

“If this is a priority of the governor, I would expect it to be back,” he said

Brothers and Sisters it was inspiring to see all who took the time to travel to Santa Fe, NM on Sunday, the eighth of March 2015, to attend a rally against the “Right to Work” agenda that was being proposed during the 2015 State Legislative session.  To view Photos, Click Here

Those Teamster Brothers and Sisters in attendance were from the following companies; ABF Freight (actives & retirees), YRC Freight (actives & retirees), United Parcel Service [Socorro Center, Albuquerque Centers (Gateway, Comanche Hub, Feeder Dept.) & the Santa Fe Center], Creamland Dairies, LANL (Los Alamos National Labs), EVSWA (Estancia Valley Solid Waste Authority), Sysco Foods, Movie Industry and the BLET (Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen). 

Brother Joseph Carrillo, an ABF OTR driver, who has been working at the Local Union during this Legislative session, has done one outstanding job helping with the D.R.I.V.E. campaign along with coordinating volunteers and communicating with our stewards towards getting the word out for this fight against “RTW”.  I personally want to THANK EVERYONE, on behalf of the Local Union, who helped with stuffing envelopes, after work and on the weekends, and in general, gave of your time for this very important fight. 

It was great to see everyone come together, but this fight is not over, it will rear its ugly head as long as there are major corporations and out-of-state people like the Koch Brothers involved.  Be prepared to start this battle all over again next year. 

This hard fought battle proves when there is apathy during election cycles, there are repercussions to not having labor friendly representatives in office, regardless of political and/or party affiliation. Remember to thank your State Senators as they were the ones who held down the lines when push came to shove.  Those labor friendly State Representatives being in the minority, could not overcome their anti-labor opponents on February the 25th, when the House of Representatives conducted their vote.  They also need to be thanked for their efforts! Click Thanks to These NM Legislators for a current list which includes their email addresses.  

A great big Thank You,  also goes out to President Steve Vairma and his Joint Council No. 3 Executive Board for their help with providing Jim Adams and your Joint Council truck during this 2015 Legislative session, it provided an awesome backdrop (To view Photos, Click Here) and also a great stage where several speakers took advantage of its availability.  Brother Jim Adams followed in the footsteps of Brother Jimmy Hatfield (who initially was in charge of keeping the Joint Council truck looking like a top); they both were and are super ambassadors as Union/Teamster members as they go about doing their work.  Thanks Brother Adams you are also owed a big Thank You!