Teamster UPS accord

Agreement was reached with UPS on a new five-year contract in late September. Settlement did not come easy -- it took nine months of hard, onagain off-again bargaining.

The final product is a good one. It's the largest (national contract) economic settlement in Teamster history. It also provides increased job security and maintains current health and welfare and pension benefits for members and their families.

The NorCal Supplement was also a winner. Marty Frates chaired the talks. As is normally the case, bargaining for NorCal was intense. We got settlement at the eleventh hour. The language changes will help clarify the rights and benefits of our members and some additional economic gains will make life easier.

I joined the talks during the final weeks and helped fend off the company's attempt to shift health care costs to our members. UPS wanted health and welfare co-pays for full timers and the company plan for part timers. Our position -- NO WAY. They got the message. The final package continues Teamster health care for both full- and part-timers and requires the company to maintain benefits for the life of the agreement.

Members ratified the agreement in mid-November by a wide 65%-35% margin. The pact will run through August 31, 2013.

UPS Freight, too

Approval of the UPS package contract opens the door to organizing UPS Freight (formerly Overnite Transportation and Motor Cargo). The company is operating a 200-person terminal in San Leandro.

We're ready to go. Bob Aiello has already built worker committees and support for the Teamsters is strong. It won't be easy, but with a focused effort and member help, we can win.

Freight and DHL

National Freight and National DHL bargaining occupied most of October. Both sets of talks are challenging. The freight industry has been impacted by a slowing economy. Yellow/Roadway and ABF aren't crying "poor mouth" but say they're hurting. DHL argues that it needs to follow the UPS model if it's going to be competitive.

Bob Bell and I have represented the Local in both negotiations. As it was at UPS, health and welfare is a major issue.

In spite of the hurdles there's been some progress, but there's much more to do. DHL bargaining renewed at the Rider level in November and will continue this month. Freight reconvened in late November. After a December recess, they will meet again in January.

Election 70

Nominations for office were held in early November and for the first time in the Local's history, Business Agents ran uncontested.

By acclamation, members elected Marty Frates, Larry Dias, Dominic Chiovare, Lou Marchetti and Bob Aiello. At the Executive Board, President Joe Silva, Vice President Milton Lewis, Recording Secretary Rob Dias and I also had no opposition.

The contested office is Trustee. Bob Martinez of DHL is challenging current Trustees Tim Mosier, Larry Aiello and Felix Martinez. The election will be by mail, with ballots counted in early December.

THANK YOU

I want to thank our members for affording me the opportunity to serve as Secretary-Treasurer for another three years. I'm as excited and enthusiastic as I was when first elected three decades ago. We have a great Local, a great membership, and we're
definitely on the move.

I promise not to assume election by acclamation translates into personal infallibility. I'll continue to work hard and deliver the best I can for our members and their families.

SHORT NOTES

Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trustees increased the accrual for calendar year 2008. It will go from current 1.65% to 2.65% for members with twenty years or more and to 2.00% for members with less than 20 years. That's a significant increase.

If you have a question on what it means in dollars, contact the Western Conference Pension Trust or talk with your Business Agent or me. Trustees also decided to give pre-1985 retirees or their spouses a 13th check. Participants will receive $540; spouses $450.

If you are wondering why Bob Bell was not reelected, it's because he didn't run. Bob will retire at the end of this term. We're not going to miss him -- he'll continue as Joint Council 7 Freight Coordinator and have an office at the Local. Bob is a valuable
and great resource for Locals and members, and we can't afford to lose him completely. On behalf of our office staff, officers, officials and members, I want to congratulate and thank him for his 20 years of service and the many miracles he performed.