News April 2008

Teamsters Local No. 763 was a sponsor at this year's 16th Annual JC-28 Golf Classic to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association, which was held on May 2nd, 2008 at the Washington National Golf Club.
Locally, the Muscular Dystrophy Association serves nearly 2,000 families who are affected by neuromuscular diseases. MDA provides diagnostic testing and clinical care at the University of Washington Medical Center and Children's Hospital. Services also include funding for wheelchairs and leg braces, physical therapy, support groups, and a children's summer camp program. In addition, MDA is the world leader in researching causes of neuromuscular disease, and for finding treatments and cures.

(Business Agent Anthony Murrietta, members: Warren Orr, Matt Huft and Rod Langford from the City of Tukwila)

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IBT PRESS RELEASE
Paramedics, EMTS in Oregon, Washington State Ratify First-Ever Teamsters Contract

(Washington, D.C.)—More than 500 paramedics and emergency medical technicians in the Greater Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington area have ratified their first-ever contract as Teamsters.

“The Teamsters are pleased that these workers are now covered by a strong contract that gives them job protection and a secure retirement future,” said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa.

The workers, both full-time and part-time, are employed by American Medical Response, Inc. They are members of Local 58 in Vancouver, Washington and Local 223 in Portland, Oregon.

“These workers were determined to become Teamsters and we’re thrilled they are now under a contract,” said John Silva, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 58. “This effort was a joint one with Local 223 headed by Secretary-Treasurer Clayton Banry, and Joint Council 37 led by President Tony Andrews.”

The three-year contract provides the workers with better wages, benefits and an improved workplace environment. The labor agreement was ratified by a significant majority of the members and provides many improvements, including pay increases of more than 18.5% over a three-year period, reduced employee medical insurance costs, establishment of employer seeded FSA accounts, fully paid training and overtime after 8 hours for all classifications.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

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We recently ratified the North Bend PW contract. A big thanks goes to Mark Pray for his expertise at the bargaining table. We are awaiting ratification from the City Council.

We have had demands meetings with both groups at Medina PW and Clerical Technical. We are awaiting response from the bargaining unit approving the proposals prior to scheduling negotiations.

We have had a demands meeting at Issaquah PW. We will meet again with the bargaining unit to review our proposal prior to commencing negotiations.Dates scheduled after 4^th of July

A joint meeting between members of Locals 174 and 763 working at Oak Harbor Freight Lines was held on Sunday, May 4, 2008 at the Teamsters Hall in Tukwila. Secretary-Treasure Dave Grage from Local 763 and Secretary-Treasurer Rick Hicks from Local 174 addressed the membership. Also in attendance was Dmitri Iglitzin, Attorney representing Local 174. The membership was given an update on the negotiation progress, now that Mike Simone IBT Representative and IBT Vice President Al Hobart have been brought in by General President Hoffa. In addition, the members heard from their rank and file bargaining unit representatives participating in the process. The consistent message was “hope for the best, prepare for the worst.”

After the meeting the 174 and 763 members, gathered in the parking lot for a solidarity photo.

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Peninsula Truck Lines - 5/5/08

Three bargaining dates were held in March and April, resulting in a Tentative Agreement reached by the Local Unions and Peninsula Truck Lines on April 7^th.

The Tentative Agreement contained language improvements in several sections including the vacation and sick leave sections. The employees will also see improvements in wage and pension rates. The members unanimously voted for the five-year contract on April 17^th.

All the Local Unions covered by this Agreement voted in favor of the contract by a 98% margin.

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CBA is retroactive to January 1, 2008.

The Local Union would like to thank Shop Stewards Patricia Duemmell, Sam Day, Paul Kinney and Shane Freeman whose participation during negotiations was invaluable. These four put in countless hours outside of normal work hours, researching wages and comparing job descriptions, fine tuning new language proposals, and meeting to discuss whatever issues members brought up. Shane also graciously hosted those meeting at his home.

Most members do not realize how much time is put into preparing for contract negotiations. And once the process begins, many hours are needed to properly respond to the City’s proposals. These four dedicated a better part of 8 months that could have been used for family time, personal time or whatever they enjoy. Please take the time to thank each one of them for all of their hard work.

71% voted to accept the new labor agreement.

Congratulations to all of you at the City of Marysville!

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The Seattle Times Mailer Agreement Reached - 4/23/08

After intense negotiations, taking longer than a year to complete, The Seattle Times mailers ratified a new two-year Union contract on April 20th, 2008 with 80% of the members voting in favor of the agreement. These members received improvements to their wages, overtime, discipline, and sick leave language. The Union would like to thank the bargaining committee, Bob Branam, Susan Downing Thompson, John Cole, Negassi Ayele, and IBT Business Representative John Peralta for their leadership, commitment and dedication to the members of The Seattle Times Bargaining Unit.

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The Seattle Times Single Copy New Steward Appointed - 4/23/08

Joe Norris has accepted the position of Shop Steward for The Seattle Times single copy bargaining unit. Joe's commitment and leadership will be of great value during the upcoming negotiations with The Seattle Times. Please join me in welcoming Joe Norris to his new position.

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GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

The next General Membership meeting will be held on May 21^st, 2008 @ 7:00 P.M. in the Auditorium at the

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Reminder from the Dues Office

Keep your dues current. Dues need to be posted on the last day of the month or will be considered delinquent. Also, we need to be notified of any change of mailing address by calling 206-441-0763. Employers typically don’t pass that information on to us. If you leave employment, contact the Local to request a withdrawal card.