Teamster magazine sneak peek: Local 25 raises $350K for autism charity

Liam Fitzgerald, 9, takes the stage at Light Up the Night Gala for Autism. 

Here's a story that's sure to touch Teamster hearts everywhere. Appearing in the upcoming issue of the Teamster magazine, an article on Local 25's annual gala for autism shows the softer side of the tough Beantown Teamsters. 

In the presence of Academy Award winners, smiling kids and blaring bagpipes, Local 25 held its 8th annual "Light Up the Night Gala for Autism" in March, raising $320,000 in donations to area non-profits helping kids and families dealing with autism. 

More from the Teamster magazine story:

“This gala is a success year after year because of everyone in this room,” said Local 25 President Sean O’Brien. “Everyone plays a role and because we work together we have been able to accomplish great things, like passing the landmark autism insurance legislation in Massachusetts and raising more than $2.5 million for charity.”

Among the audience: hundreds of labor members from Local 25 and beyond, plus Boston-area residents. The Boston Bruins’ mascot, Blades, fired up the crowd as the bagpipers played, and 9-year-old Liam Fitzgerald, also known as “The Fist Bump Kid,” joined the band to play the drums. 

“As we look to the future, we must tackle the housing shortage that exists for young adults with autism once they turn 22, and continue to work with charities like the Challengers Little League that lets kids forget about their challenges and just play the game of baseball,” O’Brien said.

Liam, the brave little Teamster recently named "Man of the Year" by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, took center stage at the gala and humbled Hollywood figures:

Five-time Academy Award-nominated writer and director David O. Russell was honored for his longtime efforts off-screen to raise national awareness of mental health issues, including as an advocate of the Excellence in Mental Health Act, which he helped introduce to Congress in 2013.

“I am honored to be up on stage with Liam Fitzgerald and Steve Mulcahy,” Russell said. “I am honored to be the father of my son. I’m an advocate for mental health rights. Making the film ‘Silver Linings Playbook’ with Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper helped bring awareness to mental illness. I want to thank all the members of Teamster Local 25, Sean O'Brien, Bill O’Brien, my driver and friend, Kevin Wright, and everyone for giving their support to help the cause for autism.”

Liam earned his nickname after a video of him fist bumping the Boston Bruins went viral, sparking the online campaign, #BumpOutCancer, which raised more than $150,000 in just 10 weeks. He has been cancer-free for three years.

Local 25's Autism Fund has raised more than $2.75 million for autism charities since 2007.

You can read more about the local's efforts at www.Teamsterslocal25autism.com, and check out the next issue of the Teamster magazine when it's up online at www.teamster.org/magazine.

This is what we union THUGGS do when bad weather threatens to ruin a charity event...

...We come to the rescue, tracking down boxes of hats and delivering them to runners raising money for cancer charities.

The RACE Cancer Foundation sent Teamsters Local 25 this story about how it all went down:

RACE Cancer Foundation hosts an annual road race, Super Sunday, which raises thousands of dollars for several charities doing extraordinary work fighting cancer. This year’s race, the 8th annual Super Sunday, was scheduled for February 1st. With the entry fee, all runners were to receive a free hat. The hats, valued at over $16,000 and packaged in 12 boxes, were shipped to arrive via UPS by Wednesday, January 28th. With last week’s blizzard, the packages were delayed and delivery was pushed out to Monday February 2nd, which would have missed the race entirely.

 

When the hats still had not yet arrived by Thursday, our race director J. Alain Ferry contacted UPS. They were able to ensure the packages were unloaded from a trailer and shipped to the South Boston facility that night. However UPS couldn't deliver the packages on Sunday. 

Alain couldn't persuade a UPS supervisor in South Boston to deliver the packages any earlier than Monday. He posted to Facebook seeking help from anyone with a connection to UPS management in South Boston. On Friday evening, Kaitlyn Greeley, one of RACE’s event coordinators, saw the post and shared it with her friend Jim Collins, father of State Representative Nick Collins. Jim immediately reached out to Sean O'Brien of Teamsters Local 25. 

Within minutes, Tom Mari of Teamsters Local 25 reached out to Alain and put the wheels in motion for the Teamsters to deliver the packages. Alain then recruited the help of Kaitlyn and Brittney Castine, another RACE event coordinator, to go back to the UPS facility. Brittney and Kaitlyn met Leo and Big Ernie, who said they'd help. Meanwhile, Tom tracked down Bill Sullivan, manager of the South Boston facility. 

By 8:30 Saturday morning, the first of two trailers containing our hats had already been pulled up to the building and was being unloaded to search for our packages. Brittney returned to the UPS facility in South Boston to wait on standby for the packages. By 10am, all 12 boxes had been found, but could not be released to Brittney. She went to the New Balance store on Boylston Street, where runners would begin picking up their Super Sunday race numbers and hats. Early that afternoon, Larry and another Teamster delivered the packages to the New Balance store and all runners were able to get their hats at the race on Sunday. 

RACE Cancer Foundation is a Boston-based 501(c)3 organization that organizes events to raise funds and awareness for various forms of cancer. Super Sunday is a 5 mile and 5K road race in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The 2015 Super Sunday race benefits TargetCancer, the Joe Andruzzi Foundation, and Cancer Resource Foundation. 

Remember, THUGGs stands for Those Helpful Union Guys and Gals!

This is what we union THUGGS do for 4 years in a row

We donate $10,000 to the Braintree Challengers, which teaches autistic Little Leaguers how to play the game.

Teamsters Local 25 in Boston holds an annual "Light Up the Night" gala has raised more than $1.5 million for autism research and awareness over the past seven years. Among the many autism nonprofits the Teamsters supports is the Challenger Little League program. The Teamsters donation means more than 140 children will have full uniforms this year, according to the Boston Globe.

Local 25 President Sean O'Brien said it's a great program.

And you give these kids the sense of being on a team. It’s their World Series...A lot of times it seems like a lonely road for children with autism or special needs. It’s good to engage with other families. Everyone gets to cheer on their special player.

Lorrie Fennell, a volunteer for Braintree American Little League’s Challenger Division, explained what the Teamsters support means:

"...parents of children with physical and mental disabilities will not have to worry about paying for the simple joy of watching their children play baseball."

You know the team is special when the former mayor of Boston and ambassador to the Vatican is an assistant coach. Local 25 received this letter from Ambassador Ray Flynn:

A Braintree Challenger.

Throughout my political career I have been a great admirer and a strong supporter of the Teamsters Union Local 25. An extraordinary capable and reliable group of union leaders. But even more today, Local 25 support for the baseball program in Braintree for special needs people is one more example of Local 25 concern and compassion. But I am not surprised. These are the same working men and women who are dedicated and patriotic Americans. I am proud to be one of "Okie" O'Connor's assistant coaches. A remarkable group of volunteers, who try and make life better for people. 

Teamsters not only keep our American economy moving forward, but reach out to help people in need. God bless each and every member of Local 25, and thanks for your kind and generous financial support.

And remember: "thuggs" stands for "those helpful union guys and gals."

This is what we union THUGGS do when something needs to be done

Actress Maria Bello at Teamsters Local 728

When actress Maria Bello told her driver that her charity organization was running low on funds, she probably didn’t expect her driver’s union to help organize a hugely successful fundraiser in less than a month, raising over $30,000 for Haitian women and children. But that’s exactly what happened thanks to Renee Call, a member of Teamsters Local 728.

Renee has been a Teamster for 15 years and she’s been a movie industry driver for five years. She drove Bello for three months while the actress worked on the film Prisoners. Renee, who also sits on the Teamsters Human Rights Commission, says Bello’s charity empowering women and children in Haiti inspired her to act:

I have a Teamster heart and, with that, I saw a need and knew we had to do something. That’s what Teamsters do. We help people. We just do what needs to be done. One of the closest people to an actor is their driver. I heard Maria talk about the charity so much and I knew we could help out. Everyone really came together to make the benefit event a success – Local 728 along with locals 25 in Boston, 480 in Nashville, 667 in Memphis, 745 in Dallas, and the IBT Human Rights Commission.

The event was held at Local 728’s union hall and drew a very impressive turnout of about 300 participants from dozens of other organizations and businesses in the industry. Live Haitian music and dancing followed Bello’s opening remarks, which included a big thanks to the Teamsters.

Bello’s organization, We Advance, works in some of the poorest areas of Haiti outside the reach of many other NGOs. She cofounded the group with Haitian artist and activist Barbara Guillaume to advance the health, safety, and well-being of women in the country. As a grassroots community-based group, We Advance helps train community leaders advocating for better health and education for Haitian women.

An inspiring video featuring We Advance’s work was shown at the benefit in Atlanta and, as Renee says, “there weren’t many dry eyes in the house.” Renee added:

Through the night, we were happy to announce that over $30,000 had been raised. This money will feed and provide medicine and education for thousands of children in Haiti. Thank you, Atlanta, and everyone who came out and those that showed love and support!

Renee, a second generation Teamster, was especially grateful to Local 728 President Randy Brown for helping to make the event happen.

This was really a joint effort and we reached beyond national boundaries to show international solidarity with the poor in Haiti. We banded together and made it happen with only weeks to plan!  That’s something to be proud of!

And remember, THUGGS stands for Those Helpful Teamster Guys and Gals!

This is what we union THUGGs do starting at 3 a.m.

We help bring a hot Christmas dinner to 30,000 St. Louis families in need.

Brother Roy Gillespie tells us that the annual Gieson Family Christmas Dinner fed a record number of people. It is the 53rd year of the tradition in which food and gifts are presented to needy people by Joan and Frank Gieson and their army of volunteers. Teamsters of course participate.

The tradition started when the Giesons were first married. They brought seven homeless people home for their first Gieson Family Christmas Dinner.

Brother Gillespie tells us on Facebook:

A new record!!!!!! The Gieson Family Christmas Dinner this year had a record breaking 30,000 plus Guest there. Thanks to all that were there helping. I am so proud of the Teamsters here in St. Louis for the job they did for this event. Teamsters from Holland, YRC, UPS, Praire Farms, United Produce, and count less more. that started their day at 3am and did not finish until Midnight. May God Bless all of you for the work you did. And a Merry Christmas.

Great work, brothers and sisters! And remember, "THUGG" stands for Those Helpful Union Guys and Gals.

Today's Teamster News 12.11.12

Live blog: Michigan right-to-work protesters converge on Capitol as legislators are poised for final debates  Michigan Live   ...Michigan's right-to-work debate is drawing not just national attention, but also thousands of protesters to the Capitol grounds today to protest what could be the legislature's final passage of the law...
Obama jumps headfirst into fight over Michigan 'right-to-work' law  The Hill   ...President Obama on Monday injected himself into an escalating fight over changing Michigan into a right-to-work state, saying the state Legislature’s move to ban the required paying of union dues was all about politics...
Taylor schools to close Tuesday as teachers head to Lansing  ClickOnDetroit   ...The Taylor School District will be closed down Tuesday because of the high number of staff that have either called in sick or are taking personal days to attend rallies in Lansing...
Editorial: Worker choice? Let Michigan voters decide on right-to-work  Detroit Free Press   ...If Gov. Rick Snyder expects Michiganders to believe his professed interest in “worker choice” is anything more than the most cynical doublespeak, he’ll embrace a reasonable compromise Michigan’s Democratic congressional delegation proposed at a meeting in the governor’s Cadillac Place office Monday morning. Those present at the meeting urged that instead of signing the right-to-work bill state legislators are expected to whisk to his desk Tuesday, Snyder should encourage the bill’s champions to place the question before voters in the next statewide election, currently scheduled for August 2014...
Sign Of The Times: Labor Strikes May Make Comeback  NPR   ..."If you look at the national data, you see a decline in job satisfaction and you see tremendous frustration, particularly among younger workers who recognize they can't get the kinds of jobs they've been educated for, that they can't support their families or earn the kinds of incomes that their parents earned at comparable stages in life," he says...
Hostess Maneuver Deprived Pension  Wall Street Journal   ...Teamster-represented employees at Hostess didn't contribute a portion of their wages toward pensions, a union spokesman said. But among workers in the bakers union, it was "standard practice," said Mr. Rayburn, Hostess's CEO...
McCarthyism Is Alive and Well at Wisconsin Capitol  Wisconsin Citizens Media Cooperative   ...This list-making appears to be part of Capitol Police Chief David Erwin’s latest strategy for crushing political dissent in the Capitol. Since assuming office in July, Erwin has tried a series of measures aimed at ridding the Capitol of dissenting citizens whose continued presence annoys Republican legislators and confuses the embedded press...
Teamsters help Children's Home Society  Charleston Gazette   ...Members of Teamsters Local 175 delivered more than $15,000 worth of food and toys to the Children's Home Society early Monday morning...

This is what we union thuggs do on the pipeline

We collect more than 1,100 toys for "Toys for Tots."

Teamsters took time away from working on  on construction of a gas pipeline project near Sarver, Pa., to collect the massive amount of toys, plus more than $700 in cash.

They were helped by members of the Laborers, Welders, and Operators unions.

“This is just one example of how our pipeline members contribute back to the communities they work in,” said Marion Davis, Director of the Teamsters Building Material and Construction Trades Division.

The “Toys for Tots” program is run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and benefits underprivileged children.  For more information see http://www.toysfortots.org/.

And remember, "thuggs" stands for "those helpful union guys and gals."

This is what we union thuggs do

Check for Danielle, a member of our Teamster family.

We help each other out, union and non-union alike.

When a family member has financial problems, we hold a fundraiser. Above is a photo of a check presentation to Danielle Kowalczyk. Joint Council 13 told us yesterday:

Danielle, a daughter of one of our Teamsters Local 682, fell on very hard times with some major health issues while pregnant. The Teamster Horsemen Chapter 13 did a Poker Run to raise funds for Danielle and her family. Great job Teamster Horsemen ! Channel 2 News was at the presentation of the check and the clip aired last night.

When management loots a company and kicks the workers to the curb, we support our brothers and sisters in need.

Local 222 in Salt Lake City  set up a food pantry for Hostess workers who lost their jobs to Wall Street greed. Last week they'd already collected $5,000.

Mike Philbeck, president of Local 651 in Lexington, Ky., asked members to contribute to their Hostess brothers and sisters. Philbeck posted this message on Facebook:

Dear Teamster local 651 Brothers and Sisters, in the wake of the liquidation of Hostess, I'm asking each of you to donate a few dollars, a simple gift card and or what ever you feel compelled to donate. help our hostess members and their families for Christmas. Donations will be taken up at the local 651 office or at the annual Christmas Dinner December 8th. these families are facing hard times financially and emotionally with the upcoming Holiday season. Please show your support to our fellow union Brothers and Sisters. Thank you and may God Bless.

And when disaster strikes an entire region, Teamsters answer the call for help. Here's what the Red Cross had to say about our brothers and sisters who are giving countless hours to help the victims of Superstorm Sandy:

The American Red Cross has received extraordinary volunteer support for Sandy relief activities from Teamster Union members within the most devastated areas in New York and New Jersey and throughout the country. It’s almost impossible to capture all that they have given in time and resources...

So remember, "thuggs" stands for 'Those Helpful Union Guys and Gals."

Today's Teamster News 11.29.12

Stand up to so-called Right to Work in Lansing  Michigan State AFL-CIO   ...We NEED you to come to Lansing to join our team of citizen lobbyists talking to legislators about why we don't need a Right-to-Work fight in Michigan Thursday, November 29th. Many Republican legislators and billionaire Dick DeVos are pushing this right wing agenda and we need your help to stop them...
President uses hashtag 'My2K' in fiscal cliff PR effort  CNN   ..."I'm asking Americans all across the country to make your voice heard," Obama said at the event. "Tell members of Congress what a $2,000 tax hike would mean to you. Call your members of Congress. Write them an email, post it on their Facebook walls. You can tweet it using the #My2K..."
Obama On Filibuster Reform: White House Embraces Harry Reid's Rule Changes  Huffington Post   ...Reid has been pushing for a series of changes that would preserve the right of the minority party to hold up legislative matters via a 60-vote threshold, but would make it harder to obstruct Senate business in this manner...
Obama Administration again fails to cite China on currency: Statement from the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM)  manufacture this   ..."We're disappointed that the Treasury Department has once again declined to designate China as a currency manipulator, which it most certainly is. Yes, the Yuan has appreciated somewhat against the dollar, but it is still far below an equilibrium value. The best evidence of that, other than China's massive foreign currency reserves, is our bilateral trade deficit, which is on pace to top last year's record $295 billion...
US bans BP from pitching for new government work  Independent   ...Oil giant is punished for its 'lack of business integrity' over the Gulf of Mexico oil disaster in 2010...
Extending Unemployment Insurance Would Create 300,000 Jobs Next Year  ThinkProgress   ...America’s unemployed are facing a cliff of a different kind. In January, the expanded federal unemployment insurance program will expire, cutting off benefits for millions of Americans...
Spencer Black: GOP stacked deck to control Legislature  The Cap Times   ...Voters also cast 193,000 more votes for Democrats than Republicans in the contests for state Assembly. Yet the Republicans ended up with more than 60 percent of the seats in the Assembly...
The Turning Point in Scott Walker's Little Legal Snag  Esquire   ...Walker keeps telling everyone that he is "confident" that he is not a target of the investigation but, considering that both Rindfleisch and Wink are going to jail because they worked on his campaign while simultaneously working for him in his capacity as county executive, those denials have to be taken with a small mountain of salt...
Waste hauler Republic Services to resume talks with Teamsters  Detroit News   ...Republic Services, a Michigan waste disposal company, said Wednesday it will resume collective bargaining negotiations with Teamsters Local 247 after the union's contract expired over disputes over a pension fund...
Teamster Horsemen's annual party to benefit Toys for Tots  Times Herald Record   ...With their mission in mind, members of the Teamster Horsemen Chapter 16 North and the Local 707 Dockworkers at YRC Freight in Maybrook came up with the idea to help the Marines with their Toys for Tots campaign this holiday season...

This is what we union thugs do for the holidays

Jack Hanley and helpers.

(UPDATE: Corrects graf 2, 2 young women in photo are not Hanley's daughters.)

We give to those in need so they have something to celebrate. All across the USA and Canada.

We've been telling you about the thousands of Teamsters helping Superstorm Sandy victims get back on their feet. Thanksgiving eve, Jack Hanley from Local 802 (with help from local residents) delivered baked goods to the emergency shelter in Long Beach.

"The area was destroyed," he reported. "We brought baked goods throughout the Rockaways, too."

Local 25 in Boston just kicked off its Toys for Tots Drive. Local 117 is collecting toys for needy families in Tukwila, Wash.

And here's a story about BLET Division 28's turkey drive in Tucson (thanks, Brother John Bentley!):

“Helping the Salvation Army is what we ‘union thugs’ do at Thanksgiving,” said Brother Sean Leighty, a member of Division 28 who helped launch the Turkey Drive. 

After learning that Tucson’s Salvation Army needed donations for the annual community dinner, the members of BLET Division 28 sprang in to action to help the needy. 

“They needed 500 turkeys and pies, as well as other food items, but they didn’t have anything just three weeks before Thanksgiving,” he said. “I thought, ‘I could do something to help,’ and then I thought, ‘Why not use the network of people I know and work with who are just as blessed as I am?’"

With the help of Division 28 Local Chairman Ron Sprague, Leighty contacted the members of Division 28 for help... 

The word spread like wildfire. Several members called Brother Leighty and asked what they could do to help. He set up a collection box at the yard office, receiving many generous cash contributions from anonymous donors and also several personal checks. All told, he collected $300 in just a few days. 

“I’m sure we could have raised more but I was under a time constraint because I wanted to get those birds over to the Salvation Army as soon as we could,” he said.  

Brother Leighty then took his family to a local grocery store, where they used the donations to purchase the turkeys.  

“We asked the store manager if we could possibly buy all of her turkeys, and her question was why we needed so many,” Brother Leighty said. “I told her that the BLET was going to donate them to the Salvation Army. She was impressed and said to take as many as we needed, and she gave us another 5 percent discount. So with her help as well, we managed to buy 20 turkeys of various sizes!” 

Individual members helped as well. In addition to making a monetary donation to the Turkey Drive, Division 28 member Linda Gasser and a friend also bought four more turkeys, a ham and other food items.  

It was a proud moment for Brother Leighty and the BLET when he delivered the turkeys. 

“You should have seen the face of the woman at the Salvation Army,” he said. “When she asked who was donating the turkeys, I told her the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen/Teamsters. She said, ‘Wow, tell them thank you!’” 

After buying the turkeys, the Brothers and Sisters of Division 28 had enough money left over to make a $75 donation to the Salvation Army. Brother Leighty thanked those who helped, saying, “There are some very generous members at Division 28.” He is hoping to do it again next year.

And remember, 'thugs' stands for "those helpful union guys and gals."

Today's Teamster News 11.24.12

Protests greet shoppers at Wal-Marts nationwide  Associated Press   ...Wal-Mart workers and supporters marched in protest at stores nationwide Thursday and Friday, blasting the wages, benefits and treatment of employees at the world's largest retailer...
Saxby Chambliss takes aim at Grover Norquist  Politico   ...Sen. Saxby Chambliss took aim at Americans for Tax Reform head Grover Norquist on Wednesday, telling a local television station he’s not worried about a potential primary challenge if he votes to raise taxes...
ATA Trucking Index declines sharply in October, Impacted by Hurricane Sandy  Calculated Risk   ...Clearly truck tonnage was impacted by Hurricane Sandy in October, and we will probably see a bounce back in November and December...
New push is on for right-to-work bill  Detroit News   ...Pressure is mounting for the Legislature to pass a right-to-work bill with one group circulating a video it claims proves Gov. Rick Snyder would sign such legislation...
Possible lease of Ohio Turnpike raises questions for taxpayers, consumer group says  Plain Dealer   ...The state must balance whether a big lease payment from a private toll road operator outweighs the benefits from a turnpike that remains under state control, says a report from the Ohio Public Interest Research Group...
Teamsters donate to Adopt a Family fund  The News-Herald   ...City employees represented by Teamsters Local 214 donated $1,000 to the city's "Adopt a Family" fund...

Today's Teamster News 11.23.12

U.S. Deficit Shrinking At Fastest Pace Since WWII, Before Fiscal Cliff  Investors Business Daily   ...the only time the deficit has fallen faster was when the economy relapsed in 1937, turning the Great Depression into a decade-long affair...
World Trade Organization Attacks Successful Canadian Clean Energy Program  Public Citizen   ...The WTO ruled that Ontario’s renewable energy incentives – or “feed-in tariff” – program violated the WTO rules that forbid treating local or domestic firms and products differently from foreign firms and products...
Women's Longevity Declining in Parts of the US  truthout   ...While many scientists believe that smoking and obesity are driving the downward spiral, a growing chorus of experts contends that chronic stress may be a key culprit, too — especially the stress of juggling work and family...
Black Friday Strike Will Test the Power of High-Stakes Online Organizing  The Nation   ...Long-time labor leaders and scholars say that the coming strike’s use of Internet organizing offers an experiment worth watching...
Fog suspected in 100-vehicle Texas wrecks that claim at least two lives  CNN   ...At least two people were killed and as many as 120 injured in Thanksgiving pileups involving an estimated 100 cars on a foggy stretch of highway in southeast Texas, authorities said...
Teamsters Local 25 Collecting Toys For Tots  Charlestown Patch   ...Teamsters Local 25 in Charlestown will once again serve as a collection point for the U.S. Marine Corps' annual Toys for Tots holiday campaign...

This is what we union thugs do for forgotten storm victims

Local 812 Teamsters bringing supplies to an emergency shelter on Long Island.

(UPDATE: Corrects 4th graf, Phoenix Beverage is in Brooklyn, sted Long Island City; corrects
We bring warm clothes and water to their emergency shelter. Corrects 5th graf, Jim Surdi, sted Joe.)

Hurricane Sandy left tens of thousands of people along with East Coast without homes. Many still have no power, and places of business have been destroyed. Some members of Local 812 on Great Neck suffered devastating property damage.

Damage from Sandy

Local 812 Teamsters report on their website that the greatest damage came to the coast, including members' worksites:

In Queens, Flushing Bay at one point became one with the College Point Pepsi yard. Tens of thousands of  beverage cases were lost. The Fleet shop had two feet of water; truck docks were completely covered by the bay. 

Phoenix Beverage in Brooklyn suffered massive damage.  Coke on Staten Island was hit hard as well.

That didn't stop them from helping others in need. We'll let Jim Surdi, business agent for Local 812 in Great Neck, tell the story. From an email sent yesterday:

Today the executive board did something that exemplifies what it means to be a Teamster. We delivered a truck of water and clothing donated by our members to storm-damaged Long Beach. 

Joe Vitta, sec-treas., at the shelter.

We delivered to, what seems, is the forgotten part of Long Beach. We went to the Martin Luther King center that, in normal times, serves as a community center and day care facility. The director of the center told us that no agency at all had been there to see them or help them yet. 

This center is now serving as an emergency shelter for the community and they were in dire need of assistance. With a nor'easter coming in, they have no heat and the building had drafts and leaks that needed attention. (President) Ed (Weber) immediately had John O'Neill make calls to local politicians to get these people some help. We saw the genuine gratitude from these folks, who truly needed help. It was a proud day to be a Teamster. We have pictures that I'll send when I can.

 Below, some Teamster brothers we can be proud of!

(And remember, "thug" stands for "those helpful union guys and gals."

This is what we union thugs do with a signed Giants' baseball

Brother Joseph Munoz with the coveted baseball.

We raffle it off to raise money for our union sister who's fighting cancer.

Hector Sanchez, star of the World Champion San Francisco Giants, donated a signed a baseball to help US Airways shop steward Emily McKenzie. Local 856 in San Bruno, Calif., sent this email to its members:

Our Union sister Emily McKenzie needs our help. Emily is a member of Local 986 and works for US Airways in the Reno Res. Center. As a shop steward,  she helps members each and every day. It is because of support like hers that the Teamsters are now on the US Air property. 

Unfortunately, Emily has cancer, but like a true Teamster, she is fighting back! A week ago, she underwent a grueling 12-hour surgery. She made it through, but needs all the support she can get. Let's show Emily that her Teamster family cares! 

Giants' Star Hector Sanchez signed a baseball for Emily, and you can win it! 

The National League Champions San Francisco Giants have generously donated a baseball signed by Hector Sanchez to help Emily. So we're raffling it off for $5 a ticket. The money raised will go directly to help Emily with her day-to-day expenses.

(Locals 856 and 986 both represent United Airline Mechanics and related workers at San Francisco International Airport.)

The baseball was raffled off at Local 856's general membership meeting on Tuesday. Here's what happened:

Congratulations to Joseph Munoz who was the lucky winner of the signed Hector Sanchez baseball! We raised more than $800 for fellow Teamster Emily McKenzie who is suffering with cancer. The money will go directly to Emily to help her with her day-to-day expenses. Your generosity and willingness to help a fellow member in need exemplifies what being a Teamster is all about. And let's not forget to thank the WORLD SERIES CHAMPS SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS for so generously donating the signed baseball.

And remember, "thugs" stands for "Those Helpful Union Guys and Gals."

Today's Teamster News 10.18.12

At Bain Capital-Owned Sensata, Six More Arrests Ahead Of Plant Closure  Huffington Post   ...Six people were arrested Wednesday morning at a north central Illinois plant run by Bain Capital-owned Sensata Technologies, where 170 workers are set to lose their jobs by the end of the year. The closing of the Sensata plant has turned into an unlikely presidential campaign issue, as the lost manufacturing jobs will be relocated to China...
Leaked Audio Captures Romney Asking Employers To Tell Their Employees How To Vote  ThinkProgress   ...I hope you make it very clear to your employees what you believe is in the best interest of your enterprise and therefore their job and their future in the upcoming elections. ..
Mexico’s Labor Law Reform Sparks Massive Protests In These Times   ...A plan to gut labor protections has spurred unrest in Mexico’s streets...
State jobs agency lost track of $8 million in overdue loans  Milwaukee Journal Sentinel   ...The blunder - only the latest in a whole series of problems at the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. - began at nearly the same time as the quasi-public authority championed by Gov. Scott Walker took over for the state's previous jobs agency...
Unionized Hendrickson Trucking employees asked by police to leave company's property during auction Wednesday morning  MLive.com   ...William Bernard, business agent for the Teamsters union, said the employees were not causing any problems and thought they had the right to be at the auction...
Teamsters Local 118 to host clothing and food drive  Gatehouse News Service   ...The Teamsters Local 118 Retiree Chapter will be holding its 16th annual clothing and food drive from Oct. 29 through Nov. 11...

This is what we union THUGS do when Catholic Charities needs help

We fill their trailers with donations and then we drive them to Northern Maine.

Maine Teamster THUGS (Those Helpful Union Guys and Gals) are coordinating with Catholic Charities to get two trailers from southern to northern Maine next week, carrying donations to benefit those in need. The Joint Council 10 truck will do the hauling.

Here's an email from a grateful Dixie Shaw, program director for Maine Catholic Charities Home Supplies & Food Bank:

This is the second happy dance this year thanks to the Teamsters! First we had the record- breaking food collection that the Teamsters did in July and now a mere two months and two weeks later! Another happy dance as you all come to the rescue of our poor often forgotten County up here at the top of Maine!!!! 

I had such a challenge ahead of me.  We received some grant money to purchase two trailers which we got in Scarborough for a great deal but now we needed to get them to the County! I called all my resources, some of my personal friends with trucks, you name it, and I pretty much had tried it until last Saturday when who should happen in my path but Traci Place and Teamsters Local 340. I thought, hmmmm I wonder? Well now you look! 

We have a coordinated effort that not one but both of the trailers will be hauled back to the County by the Joint Council’s beautiful truck. 

Everything we do is to ultimately Feed The County and this is a BIG DEAL to us. 

Thank you Teamsters 340 for all you have done for the people of Aroostook County.

This is what we union thugs do in the NYC Marathon

We raise thousands of dollars for Autism Speaks.

We learned about this tremendous effort from our Teamster brother Joseph Mosca, Jr. He wrote on our Facebook page:

This is for a fellow sanitation worker and teamster brother. Running the nyc marathon and trying to raise money for autism. Please share thank you so much

And so we followed the link and came to Dennis Palazzola's personal donation page. He has already raised $8,365 for the Nov. 4 NYC Marathon.

He writes on his page:

My Thomas is on the left my Jack is on the right.Thomas was diagnosed with Autism at a very early age(17months)My family's whole world,expectations and purpose changed that very day! as it has for so many families just like mine.No one ever asks for this journey or even expects it,but as a chosen family for this beautiful,trying,challenging journey we are all doing the best we can for these beautiful gifts that are our children.I want to personally thank every person who opened their hearts to support Autism Speaks and Team Up as they continue to tirelessly help all of these beautiful familes.God bless all of you!

If you'd like to support your brother in this worthy cause, just go to his page here.

Autism Speaks, according to its web page,

...is the world's leading autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families.

And remember, 'thugs' stands for Those Helpful Union Guys and Gals.

This is what we union thugs do at Jones Beach

Teamster "THUGS" raising money today for the Brain Aneurysm
Foundation. Diane Gatto, who spearheaded the walk, is in white; Demos
Demopoulos, secretary-treasurer of Local 553 on the right.

We raise thousands of dollars for brain aneurysm research.

Teamsters Local 854 with the support of Joint Council 16 locals raised money and awareness today for the Brain Aneurysm Foundation.

Diane Gatto led the team in a 2-mile walk/4-mile run at Jones Beach State Park on Long Island. We just checked and the team raised $5,000. The money funds aneurysm education, research and clinical care.

For those of you that would like to contribute to Team Gatto please click here.

And remember, thugs stands for "Those Helpful Union Guys and Gals."

This is what we union THUGS (those helpful union guys and gals) do for each other

We help out our brothers and sisters when they're ill, even after they've retired.

We've cross-posted this moving story from ALS Philadelphia's blog about Teamsters Local 500 helping a retiree with Lou Gehrig's Disease:

I completed this essay about my father, Patrick, after hearing the poet Dr. Maya Angelou discuss the meaning and importance of dignity and respect.

HONK…HONK. The unmistakable sound of a tractor trailer air horn penetrated the quiet, Levittown neighborhood.

HONK…HONK. “I wonder where that is coming from,” I said to my father.

“I don’t know,” he said. A lifelong truck driver, my father recognized the powerful sound, but it was unusual to hear it in our neighborhood. Honk…honk. The truck moved closer to our house. My father struggled to the window to see the excitement.

I was a student at Temple University in Philadelphia. Like on most days, I had awoken early for school and helped my father with his breakfast that consisted of pureed food, orange juice, and myriad vitamins and prescription drugs.

My father, though only 49, was battling a terminal illness, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, a progressive degenerative disease of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that causes rapid muscle deterioration. Patients typically live between three and five years after diagnosis; my father was is in his fifth year.

Though predictable in medical circles, my father’s decline in health was shocking to everyone who knew him. He had been a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division and served in the Korean War. Once a strapping 6-foot-2 and weighing 210 pounds, he was now a fraction of his former self. He was confined to a wheel chair and struggled to breath and talk. His food had to be pureed due to his inability to swallow.

It was an extremely difficult time for my family and me. We struggled to balance work, school and my father’s care. As his disease progressed, so did the emotional and financial toll on our family.  

Honk…honk. The truck slowed down, engaged its air brakes and pulled in front of our house. It was a large Mack truck, with the distinctive Mack bulldog displayed prominently on the hood. Two large men jumped out of the truck.  They opened the trailer doors, unloaded several boxes, and walked toward our front door.

“Hello,” said one of the men.

“Is this the Malloy house?” the other asked.

“Yes, it is,” I said.

“Is Pat Malloy here? We are from the Philadelphia Teamsters Local 500.”

My father had been a lifelong truck driver and proud member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, and at one time served as a union shop steward. He had been forced to give up truck driving a few years earlier, physically unable to perform the job.

The men entered the house and greeted my father, who was sitting in his wheelchair near the front door. They introduced themselves. My father couldn’t raise his arms or hands, so they placed their hands on his shoulder.

“Hi Pat, we are from the Teamsters. We want you to know that we are thinking about you and your family. We stopped at the Nu-Way Market on Haines Road and picked up some groceries for your family.”

My father became overwhelmed with emotion and began to cry. Tears streamed down his face. He struggled to find words. “It’s been hard...we have had a hard time...thank you,” he said.

My father wasn’t demonstrative. He was a tough man, born and raised in a working-class neighborhood in Philadelphia, yet there were times when he was open and friendly and warm, especially when neighbors or relatives visited or when we had a backyard cookout. Even at all the christenings, the confirmations and the graduations, I never saw my father cry.  

The men emptied the truck, carrying several boxes of groceries for our family. We stored the food in the pantry and refrigerator. After the food was safely put away, the Teamsters said their goodbyes and departed.

As they drove down the street, my father, still crying, turned to me and said, “They remembered me, Charlie. They remembered me.”

This is part two in Chuck Malloy's series on his father. Visit our donate or volunteer pages to see how you can get involved to support people with ALS.

This is what we union thugs do for disabled children

We organize a day of offroading and fun for 142 disabled children at the summer camp we support financially.

According to a translation of the posting (in French) on the Teamsters Canada website,

Dozens of volunteers and the Quad Club Hikers have agreed to meet on July 7 to organize a day for offroading for 142 disabled children at Camp Papillon. 

This was the fifth annual day offroading and a video was made to mark the anniversary. 

Camp Papillon is a vacation site for disabled children and respite for parents. It is located around Lake Pierre, 40 kilometers north of Joliette. The Teamsters Union contributes financially to the camp and has raised nearly $500 000 for 25 years through the Teamsters Quebec Open. 

In addition to mountain biking, children were delighted by clowns, mascots, magicians and makeup artists. 

"There is nothing more rewarding than seeing the smiles of these children, said Alain DeGrandpré, president of Joint Council 91 of the Teamsters Union. It was a magical moment for them, but also for us." 

Alain DeGrandpré has also paid tribute to the participation of all volunteers and especially André Paquin of Local 106 who is the organizer of the event. 

"This is our way of making a small difference in the lives of these children, said the unionist. But children are also a big difference in ours."

And remember, "thugs" stands for "those helpful union guys and gals."