Teamsters Local 492
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Union Busters Destroying Middle Class

Don’t Let The Union Busters Destroy The Middle Class!

By Steve Vairma
President, Teamsters Joint Council 3

Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan, Florida, New Hampshire and Maine are the states that come to mind when the War on Workers is mentioned. Historically, they have been solid labor states that have, with the exception of Florida, a high density of union members in the workplace.
For example, the cumulative average percentage of union workers in those states is 12 percent, considerably higher than in the six states in Joint Council 3 and average union density of 7.5 percent.
But that doesn’t mean the right-wing union busting politicians here in the Rocky Mountain west are any less committed to purging the middle class—and the unions that created it--than those in the more populous eastern United States.
In Joint Council 3 there are three free bargaining states—Colorado, Montana and New Mexico among our seven states. Arizona, Idaho, Utah and Wyoming are so-called “right-to-work” states. But the right-to-work gang never gives up. Unions in our free bargaining states have fought successfully in their legislatures for years to defeat right-to-work proposals. They truly are right-to-work warriors.
Here in Colorado, we were forced into an early battle in the War on Workers when a so-called “right to work’ initiative was defeated in the 2008 general election. That ended the union busters blather here for a few years, but we expect they’ll be back after recouping the $25 million or so they blew on their campaign.
Teamster rank-and–file members were instrumental in that 2008 victory. Our members worked on every aspect of the campaign. More than 50 percent of all union members who signed the petitions required to get our countermeasures on the ballot, which was key to our success, were Teamsters.
Our locals in the four right-to-work states also constantly battle against harmful anti-worker proposals in respective of their respective legislatures. Because of the onerous law under which they operate, every day for them is a struggle for survival.
We don’t anticipate that 2012 will be much different than this year, with the exception that we will participate in a presidential election.
We would hope that your preparation for the election in 2012 will include a comprehensive look at the candidates who will be on the ballot. Make sure their values are your values and that they understand the importance of a vibrant, prosperous middle class.
On this page we have listed many returns that have accrued to the middle class because of more than 100 years of diligence and hard work of the labor movement.
Does the candidate of your choice support what your union has done to build the middle class?
36 reasons why you should thank a union:
How the union has improved workers’ lives
1. Weekends
2. All breaks at work, including lunch breaks
3. Paid vacation
4. FMLA
5. Sick leave
6. Social Security
7. Minimum wage
8. Civil Rights Act/Title VII (prohibits employer discrimination)
9. Eight-hour work day
10. Overtime pay
11. Child labor laws
12. Occupational Safety & Health Act (OSHA)
13. 40 Hour work week
14. Worker's compensation (Worker's Comp)
15. Unemployment insurance
16. Pensions
17. Workplace safety standards and regulations
18. Employer-paid health care insurance
19. Collective bargaining rights for employees
20. Wrongful termination laws
21. Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967
22. Whistle-blower protection laws
23. Employee Polygraph Protection Act
24. Veteran's Employment and Training Services (VETS)
25. Compensation increases and evaluations (Raises)
26. Sexual harassment Laws
27. Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)
28. Holiday pay
29. Employer-paid dental, life and vision insurance
30. Privacy rights
31. Pregnancy and parental leave
32. Military leave
33. The right to strike
34. Public education
35. Equal Pay Acts of 1963 & 2011 (Requires equal pay for men and women for same work)
36. Laws ending sweatshops in the U.S.

Ask your favorite candidates, both Republicans and Democrats, if they would have supported labor on these issues.

Advisory Panels Urge Tougher Screening for Sleep Apnea


Download: Sleep_Apnea_Info.pdf

Corporations Spent More Lobbying Than Paid In Taxes

Between 2008 And 2010, 30 Big Corporations Spent More Lobbying Washington Than They Paid In Income Taxes

By Zaid Jilani on Dec 7, 2011

A report released this month by Public Campaign demonstrates just how important it is for Americans to battle corporate special interests and reclaim our democracy. The group’s research finds that thirty big corporations actually spent more money lobbying the federal government between 2008 and 2010 than they spent in taxes. For example, General Electric — one of the top 10 most profitable companies in the world — got a net tax rebate of $4.7 billion during this period. Meanwhile, it spent $84 million lobbying the federal government.

Here’s the full list of the 30 corporations identified and what they paid in federal taxes as opposed to lobbying:

The End of the American Dream???

The End of the American Dream?

 Visit  Visit www.changetowin.org/! for more info.

The Great Prosperity vs. The Great Regression

A look at productivity, income, wealth, and spending from 1947-1980 from the New York Times.

 See the Full Chart 

Organizing FedEx Freight

The Teamsters Union has launched an organizing campaign at FedEx Freight, starting in Southern California, International Vice President and Package Division Director Ken Hall recently announced.

“We’ve been working quietly for months to prepare for this moment,” Hall said at the union’s 28th International Convention in June. “But now, we’re ready to let all of you know. We are officially launching our FedEx Freight organizing campaign in the West. This is a massive undertaking. With planning, patience and perseverance, we will win this campaign. Not today, maybe not tomorrow, but with the support of this entire union, make no mistake about it; FedEx Freight will be a union shop!”

 

“FedEx Freight workers want a voice on the job and deserve strong representation,” said Jim Hoffa, Teamsters General President. “They know that the Teamsters will amplify their voices and we won’t stop until the job is done.”

 

FedEx Freight has recently undergone a merger of two separate companies that made up FedEx Freight’s operation. Teamster organizers and local unions have maintained contact with FedEx Freight drivers from both of the merged companies for many years. The International Union, working with Joint Council 42 in California, is committed to organizing these drivers. “Day by day the interest is growing,” said Randy Cammack, International Vice President and President of Joint Council 42. “But Fred Smith (FedEx president and CEO) has heard about this and he’s already started a serious anti-union campaign. He’s given all the employees at FedEx Freight CDs to listen to and DVDs critical of the union.”

 

Cammack said a team of organizers has been working with FedEx Freight drivers to build committees and put together a solid program. The drivers desperately want to form a union and are enthusiastic and committed. “I’m here to say, now it’s our turn, and boy, are we ready for it,” said Rudy Hernandez, a FedEx Freight driver, at the union’s recent Convention. “We have developed an organizing committee and we are working hard with our organizers but we cannot do this alone. We need your help. We are all in this together.”

Click Here to read more.


Download: FedEx_Update2011.pdf

Teamsters Local 492 Election 2011

The Teamsters Local 492 members have spoken on who they want leading them in the future. Soon we will be putting 2011 behind us and taking our first step into 2012 with your elected Executive Board for Teamsters Local 492:

Secretary-Treasurer: Walter R. Maestas
President: Moises L. Ortega
Vice President: Mike Butler
Recording Secretary: Warren (Trey) White III
Trustee: Richard Martinez
Trustee: Kelvin Holly
Trustee: Andrew L. Palmer
 
With the “war on workers” gaining momentum in America, the 2012 Teamsters Local 492 Executive Board and Business Agents jobs are going to be difficult and our goals must be set high on behalf of the 492 members, the Union leaders you have just elected are ready for this challenge.
 
In recent months, we have heard from some of you that you would like to see your Business Agents in the Barns & Centers more often; we are committed to making that happen.
 
Our general membership meetings will be scheduled so that every member will have an opportunity to attend, this will be done by setting meetings once a month on different days of the week to include weekends. It is crucial to the labor movement that the members get more involved. We are committed to reach out to the members to keep you informed on Union actions and rallies. In the 2012 legislative session, the war will begin with "Right to Work" laws being introduced again, in the next three years almost all of the collective bargaining agreements will be up for re-negotiations, Corporate America will be coming after Teamster members in force. The Union members of Teamsters Local 492 are ready for the fight and so are your leaders.
 
If you haven’t already, please register with this website so that we can more efficiently keep you informed. It only takes a few minutes and we typically only send a few emails a month so you do have to worry about us inundating you with emails. Knowledge is power.
 
The 2012 Teamster Local 492 Executive Board wishes to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the members for showing your continued confidence in us and for the opportunity to serve you for the next three years.

Stop The War On Workers!

Hoffa: Teamsters Stand In Solidarity With Protesters Against Wall Street Greed 

No one should be surprised that Occupy Wall Street is gaining support and spreading quickly around the country. The American Dream has disappeared for students, whose reality is debt and unemployment. The dream disappeared for workers forced to take wage cuts by employers sitting on billions of dollars in profits. The dream disappeared for working families who paid too steep a price for Wall Street’s greed, stupidity and fraud.

It’s clear what this movement is all about. It’s about taking America back from the CEOs and billionaires on Wall Street who have destroyed our nation’s economy. It’s about creating good jobs. It’s about corporate America treating its workers and customers with honesty and fairness and paying its fair share to stimulate the economy.

Teamsters all over the country are participating in Occupy Wall Street events, and I support and encourage them. We stand in solidarity with Americans who want better lives for themselves and for future generations.

Click Here to visit the IBT War On Workers page.

Mis-Classification of "Independent Contractors" Hurts Communities

CBS Early Show: How Some Employers Skirt Paying Benefits

The news segment discusses questions such as ‘when is an employee not an employee’. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis talks about how classifying employees as independent contractors hurts communities as well as the employees.

Join The Battle Against Unsafe Mexican Trucks

Teamsters Sue to Close Border to Unsafe, Polluting Mexican Trucks

 
Hoffa: Pilot Program Is An Attack on American Truckers and Warehouse Workers

(Washington, D.C.) — The Teamsters on Wednesday sued to block the U.S. Department of Transportation from opening the U.S. border to dangerous Mexican trucks through an illegal pilot program.

“Opening the border to these dangerous, dirty trucks is an attack on highway safety, an attack on American truckers and warehouse workers, an attack on border security and an attack on our environment,” said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa. “It’s outrageous enough that we’ve outsourced millions of jobs to foreign countries, but now we’re bringing foreign workers across the border into the United States to take our jobs. This is another pressure the American middle class doesn’t need.”

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Public Citizen and the Sierra Club challenged the program in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. The suit claims the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration breaks the following laws:

  • It waives a law that trucks must display certain proof that they meet federal safety standards.

  • It breaks the law requiring the pilot program to achieve an equivalent level of safety because Mexican drivers don’t have to meet the same physical requirements as U.S. drivers.

  • It breaks the law that Mexico must provide simultaneous and comparable access to U.S. trucks. Mexico cannot do so because of the limited availability of ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel in Mexico.

  • It breaks the law that the pilot program must include enough participants to be statistically valid. The FMCSA’s proposal ensures that only the best Mexican trucks participate, which would allow it to justify letting any Mexican truck over the border in the future.

  • It doesn’t comply with the environment requirement of the National Environmental Policy Act.

“Congress has repeatedly and overwhelmingly set tough safety conditions for any cross-border trucking program, and this one clearly doesn’t meet those conditions,” Hoffa said.

The pilot program got off to a rocky start when the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration approved trucking operator Grupo Behr from Tijuana, Mexico. The carrier owned one 20-year-old semi-tractor trailer with numerous safety issues. FMCSA had to disqualify it from the program after the Teamsters Union and others brought Grupo Behr’s safety record to light. A second carrier, Transportes Olympic, of Monterrey, Mexico, started operating in the U.S. last month. Safety concerns have also been raised about Transportes Olympic.

General President Jim Hoffa held a news conference at California's busiest border crossing with members of Congress and other allies to demand that dangerous trucks from Mexico be banned from traveling freely on U.S. highways.

More Videos

Click Here to Visit the IBT Page

Rocky Mountain Teamster Vol.55#5


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Teamsters Local 492
4269 Balloon Park Road NE
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87109
  505-344-1925

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