DHL Ratification

Our DHL members assembled in the Local 70 auditorium on Sunday, March 30, 2008.  Secretary Treasurer Chuck Mack provided our DHL members with an update on the ongoing negotiations that concluded recently.  Mack indicated that the parties met on twelve (12) separate occasions.  According to Mack, there were times that the parties concluded that settlement was beyond their reach.  The negotiations continued however, and a settlement was finally reached.  Local 70, to no one's surprise, was the last local Union to reach settlement. 

The new contract proposal provides part time work and a close grievance procedure.  Part time work resembles the part time work utilized by both UPS and Fed Ex.  While this change is a deviation from our current agreement, Mack emphasized that it provides an opportunity for DHL to compete with its competitors and at the same time provides long term job security.  Mack emphasized the importance of these changes especially given the most recent billion dollar deficits.  Emphasizing his position, Mack indicated that we cannot give DHL billion dollar relief but we can help them compete with UPS and Fed Ex.

Secretary Treasurer Mack highlighted a victory on a major issue.  Maintenance of benefits on our Health and Welfare plan was in jeopardy.  During the DHL negotiations General President Hoffa told Mack that full maintenance of benefits on our East Bay Drayage Drivers Health and Welfare Plan was not attainable.  Mack recalls Hoffa's words; "Forget it!"  Mack maintained his position throughout and the new agreement contains a full maintenance of benefits provision.  Mack's tenacity paid dividends.  He delivered the accommodation despite those who said it was impossible. 

Mack in his final remarks thanked our Shop Stewards for their tireless efforts and their recommendation to approve the tentative agreement.  Mack also highlighted the Grassroots efforts of DHL employees.  Both of these groups significantly affected the outcome of these negotiations. 

Ballots were mailed on April 9, 2008.  The ballot count takes place on April 30, 2008.  While we await the outcome we expect ratification as we go to print.  The results are not yet available.  We are guardedly optimistic.   

UPS FREIGHT RATIFICATION

Members from Yellow Freight, Roadway, ABF and a small number of companies who are also signatory to the Master Freight Agreement met on January 12 to learn about the revised national agreement and the Joint Council Supplement.

Secretary-Treasurer Chuck Mack discussed the difficulties in the industry, ranging from capital problems to consolidation and intense competition from the non-union sector.

After answering questions from our members, Mack recommended a "Yes" vote on the National Master Freight Agreement, despite the new utility positions. However, he recommended a "No" vote on the Joint Council 7 Supplemental due to many unanswered questions and the lack of full maintenance of benefits for Locals 85 and 287. Mack cautioned our members that a rejection of the Joint Council 7 Supplement may cause a strike in Joint Council 7. Ballots will be counted in mid-February.

On Saturday 10:00 a.m., April 5, 2008, Secretary Treasurer Chuck Mack and  Business Agent Bob Aiello conducted a ratification meeting with our UPS Freight members.  Similar ratification meetings were also scheduled on April 5, 2008.  Over one hundred UPS Freight members working out of the San Leandro terminal attended this meeting.  Aiello reviewed the tentative agreement with the assembled UPS Freight employees. 

Aiello highlighted the improved contract provisions:

-- Improved Health and Welfare plan with lower costs to the employees and no increases in what they pay for the plan
-- Increased wages $4.65 during the term of the agreement
-- Reduced costs for retiree Health and Welfare insurance and freezes any rate increases for the term of the agreement
-- Enhanced overtime provisions, to pay overtime after eight (8) hours per day or after forty (40) hours per week
-- A lock in of current pension benefits and past service credits for Overnight and Motor Cargo employees
-- Enhanced daily and weekly guarantees for 90% of UPS Freight full time employees
-- Guaranteed four (4) hours for casual employees and Health and Welfare and Pension benefits
-- Paid medical examinations required by government agencies or UPS Freight
-- Continued maintenance of benefits to protect existing practices
-- Ongoing assistance for CDL training and utilization of equipment as part of that process
-- Eligibility to participate in the UPS National 401k plan

Our UPS Freight employees were given the opportunity to ask questions regarding the tentative agreement, Aiello made every effort to provide these employees with an accurate assessment of the tentative agreement.  Aiello thanked the members who took the time to attend the meeting and thanked those rank and filers and Officials who have participated in the process.  Aiello thanked Joe Villareal, Jim Davis, Pilar Barton, Milton Lewis and Quinoa Anderson.

This agreement enhances the opportunity for UPS to do "all things for all of their customers".  UPS becomes a "full service" vendor with the addition of this freight component.  The tentative agreement applies to 10,200 employees in 85 Local Unions. It applies to all locations.

On April 7, 2008, General President James P. Hoffa and Director, Package Division Ken Hall announced the ratification results.  The new contract was approved by 89% of the members voting.  This is a significant victory.

Waste Management meeting

Business Agent Larry Dias scheduled a meeting of our Waste Management members on April 6, 2008.  Dias took this opportunity to update the events that have unfolded after Waste Management lockout.

Dias indicated that a number of issues have interrupted the process of finalizing the Waste Management contract.  The delay resulted from the myriad of crises.  In December 2007 and early January 2008, Dias focused on the negotiations between Waste Management and Machinists Local 1546.  The Machinists were staunch allies of Teamsters Local 70 during the lockout.  Dias emphatically made it known that he would not abandon the Machinists and again allow the company to pit workers against each other.  Dias offered his assistance and monitored these negotiations.  With the cooperation of all the local unions, Machinists 1546 secured a favorable settlement. 

During this period Waste Management engaged the Fastiff law firm.  Waste Management tried to undermine the negotiated settlement.  Dias was insistent that documents generated during the negotiations were consistent with the understandings that were part of the process.  Dias prevailed. 

The fight is not over.  ILWU Local 6's contract comes up for renewal this year.  Dias will monitor those negotiations and assist Local 6's leadership if he is asked to do so.  Dias reminded our members that the next fight may come when the current agreement expires in 2012.  Unless changes come from the company and their attorneys, there may be a battle like no other.   Dias commented; "this in an evil company with an evil attorney."  And in an offhanded remark about himself stated; "the mind is better than the body" but he's definitely up to the challenge.