update for Sacramento

Check out this link the latest news regarding the Sacramento USF Reddaway terminal
http://www.teamster.org/07news/hn_071207_1.asp

In spite of strong management opposition, a majority of Sacramento workers decided they wanted to be protected from unilateral changes in their working conditions by signing up with the Teamsters Union.

Maybe this recognition of the union in Sacramento has something to do with the new situation for Orange line drivers in Willows?

401(k) update

Here's a link to the letter from the company to the Teasmters explaining that access to your 401(k) has not really been "frozen"

http://www.teamsters952.org/USF%20Reddaway%20401K.pdf

Workers at two other USF Reddaway terminals join Teamsters

Here's the latest news about Benicia and Stockton. Looks like the momentum is with the union at this point; let's see what happens at Orange.

http://www.teamster.org/07news/hn_070829_2.asp

Summary of Contract

Here's the text of the flyer that organizers were distributing last week. I understand that more details will be available at the Sunday meeting.

Teamster Organizing Meeting:
New USF Reddaway Contract

Time: 8:30 a.m.
Date: Sunday, August 12, 2007
Location: Teamster Local Union #952
140 S. Marks Way, Orange CA 92807
(off Chapman, between 57 and Main)

§ Guaranteed annual raises for life of contract (5 years)

§ Participation under Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trust Fund: Immediate vesting, and you are entitled to two years of credit for every year of employment, up to a limit of 10 years. After working 5 years, your pension benefits would add up as if you had been in the plan for 15 years.

§ Representation and grievance process; you are no longer an “at-will” employee. USF Reddaway management can make no unilateral changes to your working conditions. Work rules are subject to negotiation. Protection against loss of bargaining unit work through sub-contracting.

§ Vacation paid at 1/52

§ Improved health insurance benefits

§ Paid jury duty (5 days)

§ Seniority prevails for bids, vacation, etc. No more favoritism.

§ Orderly and fair process for workers to become full-time employees

§ Workers at non-union terminals will not receive superior wages or benefits.

§ Initiation fee is waived for those employed prior to execution of contract. No dues paid until contract executed

§ Workers in approximately 50 other terminals in western U.S. are eligible for representation under contract as soon as it is ratified at recognized terminals. Card check recognition for new terminals.

For more information, please call Teamster organizer Gary Smith at (714) 740-6213 or Andy Budai (240) 286-6182
Be Wise, Organize!

Reunión Organizadora de los Teamsters
Nuevo Contrato con USF Reddaway


Hora: 8:30 a.m.
Fecha: domingo, 12 de agosto del 2007
Location: Teamster Local Union #952
140 S. Marks Way, Orange CA
(cerca de Chapman, entre 57 and Main)

§ Aumentos anuales garantizados durante el contrato (5 años)

§ Participación en el fondo de pensión de la conferencia occidental de los Teamsters: adquisición de derechos de pensión inmediato, y tienes derecho a dos años de crédito por cada año del empleo, hasta un límite de 10 años. Después de trabajar 5 años, sus beneficios de pensión agregarían como si hubiera estado en el plan por 15 años.

§ Representación y proceso de agravio; no sigues siendo empleado “a voluntad.” La gerencia de USF Reddaway no puede hacer ningún cambio unilateral a sus condiciones de trabajo. Las reglas de trabajo están sujetas a la negociación. Protección de la pérdida de trabajo por sub-contratistas.

§ Las vacaciones se pagan a 1/52

§ Beneficios mejores del seguro médico mejores

§ Servir como jurado pagado

§ La señoría prevalece para las ofertas de trabajo, las vacaciones, etc. El favoritismo no más.

§ Proceso ordenado y justo para que los trabajadores se hagan empleados a tiempo completo.

§ Los que trabajan en terminals no-sindicalizados no recibirán sueldos o beneficios superiores.

§ Cuota de iniciación se les precinde a los que están empleados antes de realizarse el contrato. No se pagan cuotas mensuales hasta que se realice el contrato.

§ En aproximadamente 50 otros terminales del E.E.U.U. occidentales, los trabajdores son elegibles para la representación bajo contrato tan pronto como se ratifique en los terminales reconocidos. Reconocimiento según tarjeta de autorización para los nuevos terminales.

Para más información, favor de llamar al organizador Gary Smith al (714) 740-6213.

Ponganse listos, ¡organícense!

OAKLAND RATIFIES CONTRACT

EARLY REPORTS FROM OAKLAND ARE THAT THEY RATIFIED THE TEAMSTER REDDAWAY CONTRACT 49 to 6 ON SATURDAY 8/4/2007. COMPTON AND POMONA, WILL BOTH TAKE A VOTE ON SUNDAY 8/5/2007. WE ARE CERTAIN TO HEAR GOOD NEWS FROM THEM AS WELL. STAY TUNED AND GET INFORMED. USF REDDAWAY IS A GREAT PLACE TO WORK, AND A STRONG TEAMSTER CONTRACT WILL MAKE IT EVEN BETTER.

Latest Flyer

Here's the text (English and Spanish) of the latest flyer that has been distributed at the Orange terminal gate:

Teamsters Negotiate Tentative Agreement for USF Reddaway Workers

What’s Next for Workers at the Orange Terminal?

On August 1st, at a meeting between Teamster leaders and management in Scottsdale, AZ, the tentative agreement will be finalized. See the attached article for more information about what has been negotiated for newly organized USF Reddaway terminals.

If a majority of Orange workers sign authorization cards before August 1st,

§ your terminal will also be recognized.
§ you have a chance to influence the final contract.
§ you will be able to join with the other recognized terminals and participate in the ratification vote.

Newly organized workers do not pay initiation fees. But if there’s a change of operations, and you transfer to an organized terminal, like Pomona, and you’re not a Teamster member, you’ll have to pay an initiation fee (which can total several hundred dollars $$$).


The choice is yours.

If you haven’t signed a card, here’s your chance to improve your future and the future of your family. You are invited to an organizing meeting at the Local Union hall on Sunday, August 12th at 8:30 a.m., where we’ll discuss the USF Reddaway contract.

For more information, call Teamster organizer Jeff Sweet at 714-740-6230.


July 25, 2007

Los Teamsters Negocian el Acuerdo Tentativo para Trabajadores de
USF Reddaway

¿Que Sigue para los Trabajadores en el Terminal de Orange?

El 1° de agosto, en una reunión entre los líderes de los Teamsters y la gerencia en Scottsdale, AZ, el acuerdo tentativo será concluido. Ver el artículo que está adjunto para más información sobre lo que se ha negociado para los terminales nuevamente organizados de USF Reddaway.

Si una mayoría de trabajadores de Orange firma tarjetas de la autorización antes del 1° de agosto:

§ su terminal también será reconocido.
§ podrán influenciar el contrato final.
§ podrán reunirse con los demás terminales reconocidos y participar en el voto de la ratificación .

Los trabajadores nuevamente organizados no pagan cuotas de iniciación. Pero si hay un cambio de operaciones, y Ud. transfiere a un terminal organizado, como Pomona, y no es miembro de los Teamsters, Ud. tendrá que pagar un cuota de iniciación (que pueda sumar varios cientos de dólares $$$)


Ud. escoge.

Si no ha firmado una tarjeta, aquí tiene su oportunidad de mejorar su futuro y el futuro de su familia. Le invitan a una reunión de organización en el salón de la unión local el domingo, 12 de agosto, a las 8:30 a.m., en donde discutiremos el contrato de USF Reddaway.

Para más información, favor de llamar al organizador Gary Smith de la Unión de los Teamsters al 714-740-6213.

25 de Julio 2007

More Details on Tentative Agreement

Check out the Teamster website:

http://www.teamster.org/07news/nr_070720_6.asp

Company and Teamsters Reach Tentative Agreement

Today, Teamster staff called USF Reddaway organizing committee members to report that top USF Reddaway management and union leadership have reached a tentative agreement.

At terminals that have been recognized, a ratification vote will take place.

It seems that if enough drivers and dockmen at Orange sign authorization cards, we'll also be able to vote "yes" or "no" to the tentative deal.

In flyers to be distributed at the gate in Orange next week, more details will be available, especially on how we can get recognition, but here are a few items of interest:

• card-check agreement for terminals not yet recognized
• Teamsters Western Conference Pension Trust
• workers at union terminals get higher wages than non-union terminals.

Will Decertifications Make the Teamsters Back Off?

I've heard that some people believe that the union is going to quit because a few workers at a few terminals have filed for a decertification election.

Click on this link for a copy of one of the flyers that I got from the Teamster organizers at the gate in Orange.

Looks to me like the workers at the Modesto terminal don't think that the guy who filed the petition, Anthony Rodriguez, speaks for them. It looks to me like the guys who signed the petition are thinking for themselves.

http://savefile.com/projects/808503781

Letter of Support from Roadway Workers

Tonight, one of the organizers emailed me a copy of a letter that more than 50 drivers and dockworkers at the Roadway terminal in Orange signed. You can download both pages by clicking on these links (sorry about the advertising; it's a free service)
http://savefile.com/files/783974
http://savefile.com/files/783975

For those who can't download, here is the text of the letter:

An open letter to USF Reddaway workers from Roadway workers:

We, the undersigned Roadway employees, support your efforts to join the Teamsters Union.

Yellow Roadway Corporation (YRC), the parent company for both of our employers, recruits new employees on their website www.bestdriverswanted.com with the following statement:

“…our better wages attract and retain employees who bring extra quality, productivity and savings...the benefits of a better trained, better retained, safer work force create the highest levels of customer service and flow to our bottom line. Our management and the Teamsters have been partners. The challenge is to make our partnership work for everyone who has a stake in our success - customers, employees, local communities, and shareholders.”

It’s clear that YRC management considers the Teamsters Union critical to the profitability of the corporation. Just like us, you deserve the improved working conditions that are guaranteed under a strong union contract.

A Message from a Teamster Union Member who works at Roadway Express

Click on the play button to see this statement from Bob Block, one of a number of Roadway Express workers who will be supporting the effort of USF Reddaway workers to form a union.

Copy of Update Flyer

[The following was scanned from the flyer that was distributed at the Orange terminal this afternoon. It seems to me that it would be a big mistake to fail to sign a card now.

The Teamsters have come a long way, but they can negotiate a better deal for everybody if the company understands that all the terminals are on board, not just the seven terminals who have been recognized.]

(Teamsters Freight Division Logo)

All the Way at USF Reddaway

We heard your request for more involvement. Our efforts have been focused on
fighting for gains at the bargaining table. We need you, our Teamster members,
working together to make this a solid contract at USF Reddaway.

The contract covers you and hundreds of your coworkers who organized for
power at seven former USF Bestway terminals in California, Arizona and New
Mexico.

You will ultimately vote on the contract. In the meantime, we have already
won the following gains at the bargaining table:

§ Protections against excessive subcontracting—making Reddaway accountable
for all linehaul jobs and delivery areas;
§ Excellent grievance procedure and dispute resolution process that ensures a
worker’s rights on the job are respected and that the company adheres to the
contract;
§ Clear and realistic formula for obtaining full-time work with full-time benefits
(hours/days worked);
§ Protection against job loss if further corporate consolidations or redomicilings
occur;
§ Easier process for bringing new terminals under contract, and
§ Written recognition of seniority protection, layover rules, availability of leaves
of absence, recall rights

What we are still fighting for:

§ Superior hourly and mileage-rate increases;
§ Locked in health and welfare benefits for the duration of the contract;
§ Improvements in retirement protection, including the establishment of a superior
defined benefit plan;
§ Clear process for order of call;
§ Locked in holiday, vacation and sick leave benefits;
§ Guaranteed formulas for calculating applicable hourly and mileage rates, and
§ Parity with other areas of operations within USF Reddaway and
Yellow/Roadway networks so one carrier can’t be played against another.

For more information, contact Teamster Organizers Andy Budai
at (714) 740-6248 or Jeff Sweet at (714) 740-6230

Answer to Criticisms about Teamster Pension

It seems that there's some misinformation going around about the Teamster Pension. I've been told that, because workers at the Orange terminal are located in California, we would participate in the Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trust (WCTPT), not the Central States (which has had problems, to be sure.)

Here's what the Chairman of the Employer Caucus said about the financial health of the WCTPT:

Our Plan’s enrolled actuary, as well as a separate independent actuarial firm retained by the Trust, has advised the Trustees that as of January 1, 2006, the Trust no longer has an unfunded vested benefit liability (UVBL). This means there is no withdrawal liability for employers who withdraw from the Plan in 2006.

Check out the main website (on the left). You'll find that the fund is in such good shape that they've improved the accrual rate significantly.

Sounds to me like this criticism of the Teamsters Pension is just another attempt to spread doubt and confusion and delay our effort to get the respect we deserve.

This is a recent picture of the Fullerton terminal (former site of USF Reddaway until they moved to Orange). You'll notice the large number of trailers. Use of this facility will supposedly be dedicated to Home Depot, as soon as phone and internet lines are installed. Any comments?

I'm a senior driver with Reddaway. I've done both line and local. I was originally a Bestway driver. Yet, I'm very happy that Reddaway took over and has begun to fix our problems. The sales reps say we are already making money ahead of schedule. It was a very wise thing for Reddaway to get rid of ten bad Bestway terminals right away. The Reddaway business model is leaner, tougher, and smarter.

I'm proud to be a Reddaway driver. We have a great future together. We work for USF Reddaway, our parent company is Yellow/Roadway or YRC. There are over 80,000 employees nationwide. Over 77,000 of them union. We are the last 2500 employees, which are not yet union. The Teamsters are over 95% of our company. Most of Reddaway is already Teamsters. Reddaway makes money in states where the Teamsters represent the workers while paying higher union wages and benefits. If they can be profitable in Washington and Colorado with union benefits, why would you believe we won't?

The truth is; Southern Califoria is the bread basket of the company. We make more money is this 100 square mile area, than any other 5 states combined. Even Bestway, with all its problem areas, made a lot of money in Southern California. If any portion of the company deserves better benefits for all its hard work, its us right here. Every driver and dockworker deserves Teamster benefits and pension. Not because somebody is giving it to you, but because you EARNED it!!!

Please take part in the blog. Leave your comments for or againest the union. Let's keep it peaceful. No anger, profanity, or threats. We all have to work together the next day.

Please use common sense (it's likely that management is reading this blog), so if you don't feel safe leaving your name on your comment, it's ok to remain anonymous. Please treat others with the same respect you'd like to receive.