100 truckers in three days: fast organizing through PLA

Organizing is tough, and it's not getting easier. But many Teamster locals are finding creative ways to bring in new members and strengthen the union.

The use of Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) help level the playing field for construction workers through the protection of a union contract. But they can also boost organizing efforts. That’s why International Vice President Rome Aloise has spent nearly a decade envisioning a day when the Teamsters organize thousands of new construction workers under the promise of PLAs nationwide.

In Aloise's home state of California, it appears that day has already arrived.

Here's how Stu Helfer, business agent at Local 853 tells the story:

It took several years for the $250 million renovation of the Broadway Plaza Shopping Center in Walnut Creek, California to go from conception to groundbreaking. Ironically, it only took a couple of days to sign up more than one hundred end and super dump drivers who would be hauling the dirt and debris from that project to locations throughout the Bay Area. 

The whirlwind organizing began when Locals 853 and 315 got a tip and then visited the shopping center construction site rumored to be utilizing dozens of trucks.

The Union quickly learned that many of the trucks from the shopping center project were hauling their loads to the massive Oakland Army Base project. 

After Local 315 Business Agent Tom Clark and Stu Helfer (Northern California Construction Committee Chairman and Western Region International Representative for Construction) went to the site and spoke with the General Contractor. A few calls calls were made and shortly thereafter, the owner, who owns the 62-year old, upscale shopping center, made a “commitment” that the renovation project was to be an all union project which included the Teamsters. The owner then passed the word down to the general contractor, the excavating company, and the trucking company.

This lightning fast organizing wasn’t a fluke. Teamsters Local 853, led by Secretary-Treasurer Rome Aloise, has been in the forefront of organizing in construction. Local 853’s program has taken years to develop, involving endless job site visits, phone calls, demands for certified payroll, PLA negotiations, pre-job conferences, legislative efforts, and on and on. 

The situation in Walnut Creek is simply proof that persistence, cooperation and knowledge - and a friendly tip - can lead to some pretty spectacular results.

Today's Teamster News 03.05.15

Teamsters

Teamsters and Labor Allies Urge Congress to Oppose Fast Track teamster.org   …Teamsters from around the country joined their union brothers and sisters on Capitol Hill today to meet with members of Congress to discuss their continued opposition to fast-track trade promotion authority, which would have a damaging impact on American workers...
First Student, Teamsters Strike Summer Pay Deal  Savannah Morning News   ...Negotiations between Savannah-Chatham Public Schools transportation provider First Student and Teamsters Local 728 have resulted in a summer pay contract for about 500 bus drivers, monitors and technicians...
Apple To Make Many Security Guards Full-Time Employees  San Jose Mercury News   ...Under a contract approved last month, Facebook drivers working full-time will receive about $33,000 more in wages and benefits than they received before, the Teamsters said...
Lawmakers resume debate over Sunday growler sales  MPR News   …Edward Reynoso, the legislative director for Teamsters Union Joint Council 32, said changing the law to allow growlers to be sold on Sundays could reopen the labor contracts for 850 of his members who work in the liquor industry...
CN Rail reaches collective deal with Teamsters plans to buy back shares via private agreement  MENAFN   …Canadian National Railway Co. (TSE:CNR) the country's largest railroad and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference union have renewed their collective agreement...
Stericycle Inc. and Teamsters reach a collective agreement  Canada NewsWire   …Stericycle Inc. is a trucking company offering waste disposal services and product destruction, including medical and pharmaceutical waste disposal. The collective agreement covering approximately 114 employees working in Brampton and Scarborough, Ontario, expired on December 31, 2014...
Trade
Fate of Obama’s Trade Agenda May Rest on Oregon Senator  New York Times   …From his position in the driver’s seat, Mr. Wyden is putting demands on the fast-track bill that Republicans are not sure they can accept — most important, a shut-off valve that Congress could turn if the details of the Pacific or European accords did not live up to their promise...
White House counts on Sen. Wyden to deliver on a trade deal  Washington Post   …Obama was calling to thank Wyden for his support of the president’s sweeping trade agenda which, in a reflection of the topsy-turvy politics of the issue, has drawn support from Republican leaders and staunch objections from many Democrats...
Japan, U.S. resume TPP talks but pact’s future very much in doubt  Japan Times   …Japanese and U.S. officials resumed talks Thursday in Tokyo on the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, but the outcome of the negotiations remains unclear with political difficulties mounting for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and indications of growing opposition to the deal in the U.S…
Business Rallies Against Secretive TPP Trade Talks (opinion)  Macro Business   ...It is also lamentable that the TPP negotiations have been opened to some large corporations, which are free to lobby for their interests, but barred to individuals and industry groups. This all but ensures that the final deal will not be in the public’s best interests...
State Battles
Assembly debates right-to-work bill today  Associated Press   …With Wisconsin positioned to become the third Midwestern state in as many years to enact a right-to-work law, the Assembly begins debate Thursday on a plan Republican Gov. Scott Walker has promised to quickly sign and Democrats lack the votes to stop...
Assembly Plans 24-Hour Right-To-Work Debate  Green Bay Press Gazette   ...The Wisconsin state Assembly plans to start debate of the right-to-work bill at 9 a.m. Thursday and end no later than 9 a.m. Friday...
Boost In Minimum Wage To $12 Wins Backing In State House  Seattle Times   ...The Washington state House voted along party lines Tuesday to raise the state’s minimum wage — already the nation’s highest — to $12 an hour over the next four years...
Missouri House Passes Voter ID Bills  Northwest Missourian   ...The bill says approved forms of identification would include a current Missouri driver’s license or a current Missouri non-driver’s license, a document issued by the United States of the State of Missouri containing the person’s name and photograph or any armed services identification containing a photograph that is not expired...
Oakland New Minimum Wage Law Now In Effect  Contra Costa Times   ...The law raises the minimum hourly wage from $9 as set by the state to $12.25. Workers also are now entitled to paid sick days under the law that was approved by 82 percent of voters last November...
Governor Wants $10.50 Minimum Wage For NYS  WKBW   ...$10.50 - that's what Governor Andrew Cuomo wants to make the minimum wage in New York State. The Governor made the announcement Tuesday at the Boys & Girls Club on Bailey Avenue alongside  Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul and Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown...
Thousands expected at Capitol for Saturday labor rally West Virginia Gazette   …The “Mountaineers Workers Rising Rally” will protest “legislative attacks on our working families,” according to a news release from the state AFL-CIO. The leaders of the national AFL-CIO, the United Mine Workers of America, the Teamsters, both national teachers unions, the United Utility Workers Union and United Steelworkers are all scheduled to speak...
War on Workers
Injured Workers Suffer As 'Reforms' Limit Workers' Compensation Benefits  NPR   ...Until recently, America's workers could rely on a compact struck at the dawn of the Industrial Age: They'd give up their right to sue. In exchange, if they were injured on the job, their employers would pay their medical bills and enough of their wages to help them get by while they recovered. No longer...
American Airlines Mechanic Killed In Accident At Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport  KXAS   ...A mechanic who had worked for American Airlines for 30 years died Monday after falling from a jet bridge at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport...
Family of Oregon Worker Killed in Blender Sues Meat Distributor  Insurance Journal   …The Oregonian reported that the lawsuit filed last week in Clackamas County Circuit Court accused Interstate Meat Distributors of failing to follow safety procedures...

Teamsters 'out & looking militant' support supersized global fast food strike

Philadelphia Teamsters support the strikers
on Thursday morning. 

Teamsters took to the streets along with striking fast food workers today, escalating the global movement for fair wages for all workers and the right to join a union.

In the biggest one-day strike to date, fast-food workers walked off the job in 150 U.S. cities and planned protests in 30 cities overseas, including Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Germany, India, Japan, Malawi, Morocco, New Zealand, Panama, and the United Kingdom. They were joined by community activists and union workers.

As restaurant workers protested their poverty wages, Chipotle Mexican Grill announced its two co-chief executives took home $50 million for 2013.

Workers all over the country are telling news reporters that they are sick of working for wages that don't cover food and rent. More than half of all fast food workers require some form of public assistance such as Medicaid, food stamps or the Earned Income Tax Credit, according to a university study.

The restaurant industry claims that teenagers working temporary, entry-level jobs fill the ranks of their employees. But studies show the average age of fast-food workers is 28, one-fourth of them are supporting a child and more than 30 percent have some college education.

Seattle Teamsters supporting fast food strikers 

Today, Philadelphia Teamsters were out early in Philadelphia -- 'looking militant as usual,' according to 15NowPhilly.

Hell yeah @teamsters out & looking militant as usual. Union united for ALL LOW WAGE WORKERS! 

They joined fast food workers from Burger King, Subway, Popeye's, Dunkin' Donuts and KFC who joined in the global effort. In addition to the request for higher livable wages, the workers want to form a union without retaliation.

Teamsters in Seattle started off the morning in solidarity with fast food workers, reported Jobs With Justice. According to the Associated Press,

Taylor Farms, Teamsters and fast-food workers

Seattle demonstrators taking part in a national day one-day protest of low wages for fast-food workers started Thursday with a rally a Cal Anderson Park. 

Organizers said strike locations would be announced through the day, followed by a 4 p.m. rally at Westlake Park in downtown Seattle.

In Oakland, Calif., Teamsters and Taylor Farms workers protested with fast-food strikers today as well. California Teamsters are engaged in a valiant organizing struggle with Taylor Farms food processing workers. Together with fast-food workers and other union members, Teamsters and Taylor Farms workers are fighting for laws that protect vulnerable temporary workers. In addition to demonstrating with fast-food strikers, today Teamsters and Taylor Farms workers met with California lawmakers such as Sen. Roger Hernandez and Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, who pledged their support.

As our friends at Union Solidarity International tweeted,

It’s time for trickle up economics.

Anti-ALEC Moral Monday protests spread

(UPDATES final graf to CORRECT large Chicago protest is Thursday, sted Wednesday).

An enormous Moral Monday rally in Asheville, N.C., drew about 10,000 people yesterday to protest passage of pro-corporate ALEC legislation in Raleigh even as demonstrators in Oakland and Chicago took up the Moral Monday cause.



A tremendous crowd took in event in Asheville, N.C.

At the county courthouse in Asheville, North Carolinians expressed their anger with Gov. Pat McCrory and the Legislature, which rolled back progress in education, voting rights and social and economic equality. During the legislative session, which just ended, lawmakers slashed unemployment benefits, Medicaid and education spending while cutting taxes to big business.

In Chicago, clergy, unions and community organizers took over the Palmer House Hilton lobby during the first Moral Monday protest outside of North Carolina. They demanded the hotel rescind its invitation to ALEC, which is gathering for a conference there. Police arrested six protesters.

The Carolina Mercury reported:

Oakland protesters held the first of a series of monthly ‘Moral Monday’ peace and justice rallies.

Called “Mountain Moral Monday” by organizers, the Asheville event rivaled the final Raleigh rally held last week. Yesterday’s protest was the first to be held away from the state capital and will be followed by additional events in all of North Carolina’s congressional districts. Teachers again were out in full force at the Asheville event to raise their objections to policies that strike down tenure, end salary increases for those with master’s degrees and caused the firing of thousands of classroom assistants. Angela Patane said it is important to raise attention about what is happening to education in North Carolina and was glad to see others agreed:

I was amazed by the turnout. I wasn’t expecting that many people, so I was really happy to see so many thousands of people.

Retired teacher Sue Bartlett said she too felt the need to stand up for what’s right:

We’re concerned about the children, concerned about health care, concerned about our environment.

The next Moral Monday rally in North Carolina has tentatively been scheduled for Aug. 19 in Charlotte.

There will be another large protest against ALEC in Chicago Thursday. ALEC, or the American Legislative Exchange Council, has been exposed over the past few years as an anti-worker tool of big corporation. ALEC gatherings have been dogged with large protests over the past few years, and tomorrow's may be the largest yet.

OO: Stop the war on workers and start feeding them!

Teamsters are feeding Oakland Occupiers from what one twitterer called "Friendly Teamster trucks." Joint Council 7 representative Rudy Gonzalez is sending us great photos of the Teamsters Action Team. They're cooking and grilling and doing the logistical thing for the giant labor cookout on Frank Ogawa Plaza. 

We understand Teamsters trucks are the focal point. Here's one twitterer:

@shesanightowl: Oh my god, everyone is out here, teamsters in their trucks lining the march, people in costume, babies, people in wheelchairs on stilts

We like this tweet:

@akasha2458: TEamsters. Such BIG rigs they have. - #globalrevolution live on http://t.co/hBZgpIsm

Here's a photo of one of the trucks, just as it arrived:

And here's a photo that shows how a supply chain works:

Early news accounts tell us many business shut down in support of the Occupy Oakland Day of Solidarity, with thousands -- maybe tens of thousands -- of people participating. The San Jose Mercury News reported:

While a number of pizza shops, cafes and other restaurants opened for business, some of the stores near the heart of the protest kept their doors closed today, including Walgreens, Rite Aid, Foot Locker, Spitz Jewelers, Lucky Money, Twilight Zone, and Scottrade, a stock trading company.

Men's Wearhouse, Saigon Restaurant and Oaklandish are also closed, in solidarity with the movement, and Oaksterdam University is closed as well.

And finally, here's one more photo with a familiar sign to all Teamsters.