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News and information on local Union matters, from Mike Parker.
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Tuesday Morning Update . News and information on local Union matters, from Mike Parker. . |
This is a new program designed to keep members better updated on local Union
Matters.
Tuesday July 28, 2009
The news of the privatization of Custodian jobs in the Dewitt has brought up
another a reminder of a law that needs to be changed in this State. Public Act
112, which was part of Proposal A signed in 1996 allows for School Districts to
privatize its support services at anytime. This places all of our Teamster
Custodians and Bus Drivers at risk of losing their jobs each and every day. It
places them in a weak position at the bargaining table with the School Districts
always having the threat of privatizing their services and giving their jobs
away. Although we have had some success at organizing private bus drivers at
companies such as Laidlaw and First Student in Pinckney, Michigan, the threat
has a dampening effect on negotiations and clearly places our members in a
weaker position than they should be.
As School budgets tighten this will become more of a threat. We met with
Waverly Schools last week and the threat was stated by the Administration during
that meeting. This is one more example of the importance of politics in Union
negotiations. A labor friendly school board is our best protection against
privatization thank goodness we have that at Waverly currently.
The strike looms at Aunt Millies Bakery. Tensions are rising between the Union
and the company as the company continues down its road to try and destroy the
drivers bargaining rights. The Union drivers are standing strong. The issues
are the same in the Jackson Local 164 and in Detroit in Local 51. If and when
the strike does happen picket lines will be extended to Local 7 in Kalamazoo,
Local 414 in Fort Wayne, and Local 135 in Indianapolis. The strike could happen
any day.
The American Red Cross fight continues. We have been working with Locals across
the Country to coordinate efforts against this Anti-Union employer. Of all
places one would not think that the Red Cross would be anti-Union but they are
and it is evident from their tactics that they are employing to try to destroy
the Union. Much time and effort is being spent on coordinating with other Local
Unions and the International Brotherhood of teamsters (IBT) in this fight. Your
Local’s Attorney bills will be higher than normal because of this and the Aunt
Millies strike.
UPS local Management continues on with their stupidity and unfair treatment of
workers. The division manager in Lansing tried to fire a driver last week for
backing onto a customer’s lawn and getting stuck in their grass. The driver
promptly reported the incident and the Division Manager (psycho woman) took him
off the road for the day and threatens to fire him for this. He was put back to
work the following day after the Local intervened. Grievances have been filed
and we are confident that he will be made whole for any losses that he has
suffered.
UPS is laying off employees from the Airport and Ground Operations. As the
Summer vacation period comes to an end there will be more folks that will be
laid off.
The National Carhaul Committee meetings are being held next week. The Jack
Cooper drivers should finally have a local rider agreement that will spell out
local work rules and practices. This has been a long process. Work began over
two years ago to reach agreement with the Company. It was delayed by the
National Contract negotiations but many long hours and much dedication from the
bargaining committee has been spent on this process. Hopefully it will come to
completion next week.
Several grievances will be heard at the Committee next week including one that
calls for the equalization of loads between the various terminals. This is a
contractual requirement designed to preserve the work opportunities for the
drivers in each Local Union. The grievance seeks to take away Jack Coopers
rights to a competitive wage rate until the equalization occurs. It is reported
that the Company is now doing what they should have been doing all along by
equalizing loads between Lansing and the other terminals in the system.
The City and 54-A district Court contracts continue in a holding pattern. The
latest offer from the City was voted down by a four to one margin. More
negotiations are scheduled with the mediator and the City in the first part of
September. A membership meeting is scheduled for August 13th to take member
input on the situation. Teamster Members in these bargaining units have gone
for almost three (3) years without a wage increase. However, the City will only
offer a concessionary agreement which would make them go backward even further.
Complete Personnel Logistics have notified the Local Union that they have lost
their contract at GM SPO facility. We are attempting to reach an agreement with
the new company to preserve our members’ wages and benefits. This is the second
sale in the past three (3) years as General Motors continues to try and win the
race to the bottom by forcing workers wages down.
Teamsters Local Union 580 is proud to represent workers in all fields of work
from Aircraft Mechanics to Zookeepers. Although these professions are very
different they all share the same concerns and are all under attack from the
worst economy that we have ever seen. I stole the following quote from the book
of Ecclesiastes I think it is very appropriate for the times we are in. By
sticking together we can help each other in these challenging times.
9 Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:
10 If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!
11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Fraternally,
Teamsters Local 580
Mike Parker
Secretary Treasurer/Principal Officer