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Sunday 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.

August 8, 2009

Sunday Morning Update:

There is no other entity than Organized Labor that fights for the rights of Working Men and Women in this Country.  Through numbers we have strength.  Even with times when difficult choices are to be made, the Union contract is the only thing that stands in the way of the economy and employers having unlimited rights to impose reductions in our wages and benefits.  As is evidenced with our contracts with CPL, Aunt Millies, American Red Cross, the City of Lansing, 54-A District Court and others no reductions or concessions can be imposed unilaterally without collective bargaining.  Even though successor contracts have not been reached yet with some of these employers, our members have not had to give concessions, something that each of the employers are demanding and would have the unilateral legal right to do so without a Union Contract being in place.

The following are some but not all of the recent happenings at Local 580.

Sometimes concessions are necessary to preserve our jobs.      In a National Mail referendum this week the Teamster Members working for Roadway/Yellow Freight Corporation voted to accept concessions amounting to another 5% pay reduction and an eighteen (18) month freeze on any pension accruals.  This amounts to a fifteen percent (15%) reduction in pay over the past six months and pensions that will be frozen at the current rate for the foreseeable future.  This vote comes after months of negotiations with the Union which has included the employer opening all of its books for Union economists to examine.  These concessions are opposed by all involved but it is hoped that these concessions will help the company to avoid bankruptcy.

More layoffs have been announced at UPS reducing the workforce back to levels not seen in the area since the late 1980’s.  Although the company has not announced it officially, there are rumors of further reductions and consolidation of the Lansing Gateway into the Detroit Metro Operation.  If this happens there will be greater job cuts and in the UPS membership. 

Complete Personnel Logistics has notified the Local Union that they have lost their contract to service the GM SPO operation.  The new company, Industrial Transport has contacted Local 580 and stated that they recognize their legal obligations to the Union and intend to honor and assume the contract between Teamsters Local 580 and CPL.  This move should not result in any job losses for the Members.  A meeting has been tentatively set for August 18, 2009 for the new company to explain its plans for assuming the operations at the facility and its impact on the Members of Teamsters Local 580, 332, and 614.   

Some of the laid off Carhaul drivers should be called back to work over the next two weeks after the General Motors Lansing Grand River Plant starts production back up.  The start of the production should result in a recall of approximately 50% of the laid off drivers.  Many of whom have been off for most of the year on layoff.  The Carhaul National Grievance Arbitration Panel met this past week, we are awaiting the decisions from that Panel for our cases that were heard there.   

Canteen Services has announced that for the time being they will continue to operate in the Lansing market.  They have sold off many of their operations across the state but for the time being Lansing will not be sold.   The Company has stated that they intend to seek changes in our benefit and pension packages at the end of the contract which expires in December.  We have responded that we will fight any concessions in these areas.  

The battle at Aunt Millies Bakeries continues.  The Company which continues to be profitable is attempting to use the economy as an excuse to strip away the rights of the Union to bargain over future changes in their operations.  They seek the unlimited right to set new wages and classifications in the event their customers demand reductions in the prices.   We are fighting these changes through the NLRB and a strike is still a good possibility.  The drivers are standing strong and will fight for their rights to bargain over any changes going forward. 

The fight at the American Red Cross also continues.  Negotiations were held this week and the Local Union presented proposals which would save the Red Cross money on their health care costs by moving employees to a Teamster sponsored plan which will give improved benefits and a cost reduction to the Red Cross.  The Red Cross is now refusing to provide all the information to the Union on the health care plans they have to allow for fair bargaining.  We are fighting this through a coalition of Unions and also through the NLRB.  A strike is still pending.    

The Federal stimulus money for road work has resulted in jobs for many of our members working in the construction sector.  Although many across the Country oppose these stimulus packages they have paid off for some Teamster Members and the communities in which they live as the stimulus money has resulted in jobs. 

Negotiations are being held at the Shiawassee Area Transport Agency and the Village of Stockbridge for first contracts.  These are two new groups that have joined the Local union this year.  The struggle for the first contract is an example of how workers will be helped if the Employee Free Choice Act is passed by the US Senate.  This Act will allow newly formed bargaining groups binding arbitration for obtaining a first contract.  Both Michigan Senators have signed on to the bill as co-sponsors and are supportive of its provisions.  Unfortunately, we have problems with other Senators who have stated that they are friends of Labor but are now waffling in that support.

After the last update I sent I received a comment back from one of the recipients that asked, Is there any good news?  The simple answer to that question is not much at this time.  The working people in this country are under an assault that we have not seen since the very beginning of our Union.   Local 580 was chartered in 1934 as a result of men and women banding together under the National Labor Relations Act to collectively fight for better wages, benefits, and working conditions.  We share a common assault that they had at that time and we need to continue to build on the foundations that they began.    

Stand Strong, help each other, and we will prevail.

Fraternally,

Teamsters Local 580

Mike Parker

Secretary Treasurer/Principal Officer