TEAMSTERS, YRC WORLDWIDE REACH AGREEMENT ON
ECONOMIC RELIEF November 28, 2008 Agreement Will Protect Union's Freight Members' Jobs, Benefits (Washington, D.C.) - Facing the worst economy since the 1930's , the Teamsters Union and the freight companies of YRC Worldwide Inc. (YRCW) have reached an agreement to provide the company with economic relief that will protect the jobs and retirement
security of tens of thousands of Teamsters. to read the press release, click here __________________________________________________________ OAK HARBOR - ULP CHARGES HAVE MERIT - memorandum November 26, 2008 Dear Sisters and Brothers: The Labor Board has found that our Unfair Labor Practice Charges against Oak Harbor Freight Lines have merit. John
Payne has just received news of this today. In the absence of a settlement, the National Labor Relations Board, Region 19 will issue a Complaint and take Oak Harbor to trial on the following charges:
- improperly establishing and controlling a "Drivers' Committee" and directly dealing with employees through that committee
- soliciting grievances through the Drivers' Committee, promising benefits, and granting benefits to employees
- making unilateral changes to the Dock Workers' bid system
- unilaterally revoking the policy of allowing time off weekend work to attend Union meetings at the Auburn terminal
The Board also agreed with our position that the strike is an Unfair Labor Practice Strike. This means that Oak Harbor does not have the privilege of permanently replacing strikers. The Unfair Labor Practice concerning surface bargaining is still under investigation, but we hope to get that completed very soon, possibly in the next couple of weeks. This is great news and will hopefully force Oak Harbor to reassess its options. Fraternally, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS J. ALLEN HOBART VICE-PRESIDENT WESTERN REGION click here to view the memorandum ________________________________________________________________
Teamsters Freight Update November 25, 2008 Discussions With YRC Companies for Second Day On Monday, November 24, Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa, with
unanimous approval of the union's General Executive Board, appointed a subcommittee of the Teamsters National Freight Industry Negotiating Transportation Committee (TNFINC) to meet with Yellow Transportation, Roadway, USF Holland and new Penn, all companies of YRC Worldwide (YRCW) to discuss economic relief. The TNFINC subcommittee on economic relief first met with management of the YRCW companies last night. The two sides began meeting again this
morning. Also Monday, Hoffa, General Secretary-Treasurer Tom Keegel and National Freight Division Director Tyson Johnson briefed leaders from all the freight local unions on the current status of the company's situation. Hoffa informed local union leaders that he had previously designated Keegel to head an economic team made up of financial professionals to review the financial and operating position of the
company. The following are economic realities facing the trucking industry and the YRCW companies:
- Most of the for-hire trucking industry is now entering the third year of a recessionary downturn. As the largest independent LTL carrier in the United States, the YRCW companies have felt this slump most acutely, but lower volumes have been reported at virtually all national carriers for some time. Continued setbacks in the housing and automotive-related sectors coupled with collapsing consumer demand suggest it will be late 2009 if not 2010 before positive
tonnage numbers return.
- Because of a series of tightening loan requirements over the next several months and the potential for further erosion in this soft economy, our independent experts have determined it is questionable if YRCW can generate enough cash to survive a prolonged downturn. Even under the best scenarios, YRCW will be stretched to its limits over the next two years and managing liquidity will be the primary business task over that time period.
- Debt incurred from the expensive and ambitious acquisitions over the past five years fueled by cheap credit have saddled large freight companies such as YRCW, FedEx and Con-Way with steep interest payment schedules over the next five years.
- YRCW's stock has dropped by 80 percent over the past year and as a result of its declining value (accounting rules have forced them to declare the Roadway and USF acquisitions as largely worthless), the banks have mandated virtually all of its assets now to be pledged on its current debt. This essentially means they have no further opportunity to borrow money and could face the ultimate liquidity crisis next year.
- The union believes it has only one opportunity in 2008 to help this company recover its financial footing and position in the trucking industry and has pledged its best efforts to understand the needs of the union's second largest employer. The team of professionals we have assembled to verify the company's prospects have concluded that any further financial distress on the YRCW during the remaining years of the 2008-13 NMFA would threaten the ultimate
economic livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of Teamster members and retirees. The time to act is now.
- Despite these pressing issues, the union is committed to preserving the hard fought wages, working conditions and benefits that are the core of the NMFA. While some level of economic relief is contemplated in these discussions, the union is not interested in discussing changes that affect non-economic items or benefits called for in the recently negotiated NMFA.
Johnson told local union leaders that the union only has one opportunity to help the company, and that opportunity is now in order to save the jobs of more that 40,000 Teamster freight members. Further, Johnson stated that the union is not reopening the contract on non-economic items, including benefits. "We understand the challenge this company is facing and we are discussing those challenges," Johnson said. "Today, a
news report said that total goods shipped by trucks in the United States fell 3 percent last month, the fourth consecutive month-over-month decline. The union and YRCW carriers are committed to working together to get through this recession. Again, our member's livelihoods are of the utmost importance as we tackle these very difficult issues."
_____________________________________________________________ ILRF Reports Numerous Labor Rights Violations Committed by Oak Harbor Freight Lines ILRF Press Release November 25, 2008 International Labor Rights Forum released a new report finding that Oak Harbor Fright Lines violated
International labor rights standards. Oak Harbor is a trucking firm headquartered in Auburn, Washington, that provides over-the-road transportation and delivery services for many commercial clients, including the company's the Gap, Inc., the Maytag Corporation and others. The report found that Oak Harbor's decision to permanently replace its employees was a tactic to interfere with a legitimate union's attempt to bargain a new collective agreement.
The panel of international labor rights experts and social justice leaders convened by ILRF found these actions to be a violation of internationally recognized right to freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining (ILO Conventions 87 & 98). According to the panel, Oak Harbor had intentionally provoked conditions that would be unacceptable to the union and its members during the collective bargaining. The panel also found that
African-American and female employees working for a labor contracting firm hired by Oak Harbor have suffered discrimination in their work assignments, a clear violation of international and national laws. Oak Harbor's labor relations practices have also come under increased scrutiny by the company's customers. Since the strike began, a number of the company's customers reportedly have stopped
using Oak Harbor for shipping, including REI, Urban Outfitters Inc., and Maytag Corp. View ILRF Oak Harbor Report Final November 25, 2008.pdf ILRF website _________________________________________________________________
Oak Harbor Update November 21, 2008 Dear Brothers and Sisters: Today, Friday, November 21, 2008, marks the fourteen (14) days from the last date of Federal Mediation between the Union and Oak Harbor. At that meeting, we presented
options to the Employer that would have allowed addressing unresolved issues, such as healthcare, sick leave and retiree medical, as well as other outstanding issues. The Employer representatives received our suggestions but have not responded in any way since that meeting. It is clear to me that the Vander Pols, Ed and David, are hell bent to break you and the Union at any cost. You, the Employees, have paid a horrific price in this struggle to
maintain a contract, which protects you and your family in wages, benefits and working conditions. The arrogance and pride of the Vander Pol brothers have not only cost them countless millions, but also the company's reputation, which will be forever tarnished and the loss of customers, some of whom will never come back regardless of the final outcome of this dispute. This conflict could be resolved in a short
time if Oak Harbor management would negotiate in good faith with everyone's best interests in mind, treating all as a family, which they have claimed they considered you, as so many times before, but their actions have reflected otherwise during the negotiation process. The Unfair Labor Practice Charges are still undecided at the National Labor Relations Board and will be resolved, but at what date, only the Federal Government can determine.
The cost to you and your families in both mental and economic cost, that David and Ed have chose to inflict on you by forcing you to strike is a terrible burden, but you as a Union family has risen to the challenge. This Union will see this fight to the end with your continued diligence and support which are essential to achieving a final resolution of this labor dispute.
Fraternally, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS J. ALLEN HOBART VICE-PRESIDENT WESTERN REGION ________________________________________________________________ Teamsters Continue Strike Against Oak Harbor Freight November 20, 2008 Workers at Oak Harbor Freight Lines have been on strike since September 22, 2008. We are now asking consumers to be socially responsible shoppers - don't buy clothing from Polo/Ralph Lauren. Polo/Ralph
Lauren's merchandise is shipped to JC Penney by Oak Harbor Freight, a company that cut health benefits for its retirees. Listen to the new radio ad by clicking here, or by listening to it live on Air America. ______________________________________________________________ Observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday The Offices of Teamsters Local No. 763 will be closed on Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28, 2008, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. _____________________________________________________________
Highline School District III Pension Vote November 13, 2008 Recently the negotiating committee was able to obtain "enabling" Teamsters pension language in the current contract. A meeting was scheduled on November 12th, to present
information on the Western Conference Teamster Pension given by Pension Representative John Mowrey to the Highline School District Administrative/Instruction group.
A question and answer session followed outlining the rules and benefits this plan offers to its participants. A proposed wage diversion of $0.25 was decided by majority vote.
A secret ballot was taken and 57% of those voting rejected the wage diversion to the pension plan. However, based on the economic environment, there was interest in looking at this plan again next year.
This pension plan is a supplemental plan to the current state retirement plan PERS/SERS.
_____________________________________________________________ Ronald Waste Water District Contract Ratified (maintenance) November 5, 2008 On October 28th maintenance employees of the Ronald Waste Water District ratified a new three year
agreement that included improved wages and overtime provisions. The members of your bargaining committee consisted of Jason Sharp and Charlie Brooks did an excellent job maintaining their professionalism in dealing with a manager that at times is adversarial towards the employees of Ronald Waste Water. I would like to give special recognition and thanks to the membership for their patience though this ten month long bargaining process. _____________________________________________________________
Veteran's Day The offices of Teamsters Local 763 will be closed on November 11th, 2008 in observance of Veteran's Day. The offices will reopen November 12th, 2008 at 8:00AM. ____________________________________________________________________ Press Release
Teamsters' Massive Election Push For Change Helps Lead Obama To Historic Victory November 4, 2008 (Washington, D.C.) - The Teamsters, the world's most powerful labor union, unleashed its largest election mobilization in history, helping land Barack Obama
in the White House and putting worker-friendly candidates in key offices at every level in the country. "Our 1.4 million members demanded change and we marshaled our forces in unprecedented numbers for this historic election," said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa. "There is no doubt that we made the difference. I congratulate Senators Barack Obama and Joe Biden on their well-deserved victory, and our Teamster members who worked tirelessly on their
behalf." More than 40,000 Teamsters volunteered for the union’s massive member mobilization efforts. Hoffa and General Secretary-Treasurer Tom Keegel barnstormed key battleground states across the country on multiple trips, talking to Teamster members and motivating them to volunteer and go to the polls for Obama. Additionally, the Teamsters' impressive get-out-the-vote push included:
- More than 2.6 million direct mail pieces
- More than 1.6 million phone calls
- more than 40,000 volunteers
- More than 1 million Teamster job site visits
- 56,687 Teamsters signed up for election text messaging
- 4.5 million doors knocked as part of Change to Win
Also, Teamsters conducted precinct walks, canvassed neighborhoods, drove voters to the polls and countless other activities. The union also incorporated new technology, like text messaging, predictive dialer phone banking, national and targeted-state interactive teleforums and microtargeting of swing voters. "This is a great day - a historic day," Hoffa said. "Now let's get this country unified and working for regular,
middle-class Americans again. We elected a great man, but we can't stop here because our real work starts now."
more on Teamsters' Massive Election push ___________________________________________________________________________________________ A Victory For America Teamsters Get Out Vote for Obama November 4, 2008
The Teamsters Union spearheaded a massive get-out-the-vote effort on behalf of Barack Obama in the months leading up to Election Day. That effort paid off, with Obama and his running mate Joe Biden claiming a historic victory. “I could not be more proud of the effort that the Teamsters Union and our politically active members put into this historic election,” said Jim Hoffa, Teamsters General President. “More than 37,000
Teamsters volunteered in this campaign, and when you look at the final numbers, there is no doubt that we made a big difference.” Those 37,000 Teamster volunteers racked up some impressive numbers during the hard-fought campaign. More than 500,000 rank-and-file Teamsters were visited at their work sites—and many of those in swing states were paid a visit at work by Hoffa himself, or Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer Tom Keegel, or an International
Vice President. Teamster volunteers also conducted precinct walks, weekend work site visits, canvassed neighborhoods, drove voters to the polls and countless other activities. “This is a great day—a historic day,” Hoffa said. “Now let’s get this country unified again and start on these programs to help America’s working families. We’ve helped elect a great man, but now the hard work starts.”
more information of Historic Day __________________________________________________________________
Teamsters, Students And Labor Activists Protest Gap's "Vote For Love" Tour
Singer Matt White Asked to Support Oak Harbor Workers
October 30, 2008(Minneapolis, MN) - Teamsters, United Students Against Sweatshops and Jobs with Justice are informing the public about Gap's support of labor abuses by passing out fliers at singer Matt White's "Vote for Love" concerts. The concert series, sponsored by Gap, started in Minneapolis last night and has become a focus of labor rights activists.
More than 600 workers at Auburn, Washington-based Oak Harbor Freight Lines, the company that delivers Gap merchandise, were forced to go on strike on Sept. 22 in response to violations of federal labor laws that protect workers’ rights. The company then unilaterally stopped paying for health care benefits for current workers and retirees.
“It is ironic that Gap would sponsor a ‘Vote for ____’ tour, but is unwilling to show any love toward these American workers, including many whom are grandparents now without health care,” said Rod Palmquist, National Organizer for United Students Against Sweatshops (USAS). “Unlike the Gap, other Oak Harbor retailer customers such as REI and Urban Outfitters have dropped the company in support of these workers.”
White wrote “Songs of Freedom” for Gap’s “Vote For Love.” campaign, a song about the individuals who stood throughout history provoking thoughts and questions about established norms. “White’s song is a contradiction of what Gap is doing with Oak Harbor,” said Jenn Doe, organizer at Boston Jobs with Justice. “Workers are singing songs of abuse and exploitation while Gap sings all the way to the bank.”
In addition to the loss of health care coverage for retirees, Oak Harbor wants to cut paid sick leave for employees, reduce pension benefits and prohibit union representatives from talking to workers at the workplace. The freight company also has created a special “Gap” rule that would deny overtime pay for weekend work on Gap business.
The Teamsters, USAS and Jobs with Justice plan on continuing to take their message to the remaining cities of White’s “Vote for Love” tour.
“We will continue to take our message to the Gap until it stops supporting Oak Harbor’s abuses. Oak Harbor should be willing to negotiate with our workers in good faith and allow for a dignified retirement,” said Tyson Johnson, Teamsters International Vice President and Freight Division Director.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters was founded in 1903 and represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
more information on Teamsters, Students and Labor Activist Protest Gap's "Vote For Love" tour
www.oakharborteamsters.com ____________________________________________________________________
General Membership Meeting
The next General Membership meeting will be held on November 19th, 2008 @ 7:00 P.M. in the Auditorium at the
Teamsters Building
14675 Interurban Ave S.
Tukwila, WA 98168
Please make every effort to attend! _____________________________________________________________________
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. more news
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