12/20/06 Working Class Stiffed?

2006 is nearly over and a recap is in Order. It has been one the busiest in years. Two important elections are over. IBT current president James R Hoffa and his slate have been re-elected for another 5 year term. I know I can speak on behalf of all members and wish President Hoffa and the General Executive Board success in the new term. Challenges face all Unions, Teamsters included. Anti-Union forces throughout business and politics continue to attack Unionism in America. We should never be discouraged because of these people. (We have, we can and we will continue to fight for and represent working men and women in every sector of business and government because the needs and dreams of all Americans never changes; safe and secure jobs, good pay, benefits and fair treatment.) Not only should these goals be the goals of Teamster Leaders they should be the goals of our elected Public Officials.

This year saw the election/removal of Local, State and National public officials. Many pundits claim a message was sent by the voters. Many State and Congressional positions changed hands. What this meant was anyone’s guess. It would be a safe bet to assume many voters were unhappy with the current state of affairs. It is difficult though to determine what the issues were that voters considered in this off-year election.
Was it Iraq, corruption, immigration, economics, religion, terrorism or a combination of these and other issues?  With all these important issues and others ,less than 50% of eligible voters voted. In an age when we could vote early, vote on weekends or by absentee ballot, why less then 50% voter turnout? It would be difficult to argue “my vote doesn’t matter” in light of the fact that Congress changed from Republican to Democrat by less than a few thousand votes in some states.

Teamsters voted in this election and many politicians know they owe their election/ reelection to Union voters. We must hold them accountable to our labor issues. Our Local employed a number of our members during this election cycle to get out the vote , interview candidates and endorse and support those candidates that shared our Labor issues. Localy many races had candidates that will determine the conditions of employment of many of our members in Law Enforcement and in the School System. I want to take this opportunity to thank all those hard working Teamsters involved in that election for all the effort put forward to get out the vote and push Teamster issues. I want to thank our members for your involvement and activism in sending the Teamster message to our politicians. We can continue to hold them accountable by staying informed and letting our elected officials know what we think is important for working America. Email, call, or write you elected officials. They work for us. They are your employee and you have the right to hold them accountable. Teamsters Local 385 will do our best to keep you informed as to the latest news in the workplace and from time to time we will ask for your support in contacting your elected officials to push our Labor goals. Our Local has not grown without your help and with your continued help we will give our membership the very best representation they deserve.
Don’t ever take for granted your voting rights. Don’t ever let anyone take you for granted; not your elected officials, not your boss and not your Union. You have a voice and a vote. Don’t ever hesitate to use both. You made your Country and Union what it is today their success is tied directly to our own success. Be proud of your Union and your contribution as a working person.
 
2007 will be a busy year. Upcoming negotiations at Disney and UPS as well as some of our smaller contracts will keep us going at full speed.  We will be announcing some new first time agreements within the coming months, adding additional members to our Local. Word of mouth continues to be our best organizing tool both internally at current contracts and for new contracts. Teamsters spreading the Union message to our non union fellow workers grows our Local. Continue to talk to workers at these non union Companies . Let them know that they have the right to representation and pass on the names to us. Our organizing department is always looking for volunteers and leads. With your help we will add new contracts again this year.

Thank you again for allowing us to serve your Local Union. We will always do our best for you.


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