United Teamsters face down divided ownership at Heidelberg Distributing Co.

Feuding family members who own Heidelberg Distributing Co.in Ohio are making unreasonable contract demands on Teamster employees, but Teamsters stand united against the owners.

Teamsters represent approximately 500 workers at six of Heidelberg’s family-owned distributorships of beer, wine and spirits in Ohio.

Heidelberg employees voted to join Teamsters Local 284 in Columbus two years ago, but are still without a contract. In Youngstown, Teamsters have been bargaining for a first contract for more than 18 months. Contracts with Heidelberg in Toledo, Cleveland and Dayton expired or are on the verge of expiring.

Members of Teamsters Local 1199 in Cincinnati have a contract until April 2016, but that didn't stop them last month from joining other Heidelberg Teamsters in a show of solidarity during contract talks in Columbus. Teamsters from six locals that represent Heidelberg declared their solidarity by marching together into negotiations with Teamsters Local 284.

Yesterday, 100 percent of  Teamsters Local 957 who work at Heidelberg's Dayton facility voted yes on strike authorization. The strike vote followed a standing-room-only meeting in Cleveland with Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer Ken Hall.

From l to r: Bill Lichtenwald, Ken Hall, Randy Verst, and Max Zemla
talk solidarity with Heidelberg TeamsterFamly!

WCPO reported: 

Union workers are threatening a statewide strike at one of the largest beer and wine distributorships in the Midwest, citing stalled contract negotiations over better wages and health care. 

This is the latest blow for Heidelberg Distributing Co., which is embroiled in a bitter legal battle between its two sibling owners, who accuse each other of using the company for personal gain. Union leaders say the family dispute is spilling into the workplace and dampening contract negotiations. 

The issue attracted a visit from the second-in-command of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Ken Hall, who met with Heidelberg workers in Cleveland on Sunday. He is secretary-treasurer of the Teamsters, just under president James P. Hoffa, at one of North America’s largest unions. 

“We’re worried that this family feud is really going to lead to the destruction of a company that our members helped to build,” Hall said. “Right now, the company is just not bargaining reasonably with the union.”

Today's Teamster News 06.09.13

The Most Dishonest Words in American Politics: 'Right to Work'  AlterNet   ...Right-to-work measures appeal to freedom and choice, but they're all about busting unions...
Striking Worker and Bangladesh Activist Address Thousands at Walmart Shareholder Meeting  The Nation... A striking retail worker and a Bangladesh labor activist made their case from the floor of Walmart’s shareholder meeting, addressing thousands of workers and stock-owners and countering what was otherwise a highly scripted celebration of the largest private company in the world...
Taxpayers' loss on GM bailout looks to be about $10 billion  Chicago Tribune   ...The U.S. Treasury’s deal to sell 30 million shares of General Motors Co. will recoup taxpayers another $1 billion of the bailout money the government put into the automaker back in 2009...
Oklahoma Sweatshop Tells One Story of Labor's Challenge   Huffington Post   ...Temperatures would hit levels higher than 120 degrees. Because there was no air conditioning, bosses placed high-powered fans throughout the concrete facility. Management chain smoking cigars in the shop while reminding workers of the non-smoking policy. Promised pay increases never materialized, even with business on the upswing. This only begins to describe the horrendous working conditions at this workplace...
'No' votes take lead on measure to privatize trash service in Fresno, California   Reuters   ...Votes against a measure that would privatize garbage service in Fresno to raise revenue for the cash-strapped California city took a slim lead on Friday as election officials continued counting ballots...
Transamerica Among 11 Insurers in $763 Million Settlement  Bloomberg News   ...Aegon NV’s Transamerica and New York Life Insurance Co. are among 11 insurers that will pay a combined total of as much as $763 million to resolve a multistate probe into whether the firms held funds that should have gone to beneficiaries...
Scott signs foreclosure bill  Sun Sentinel   ...Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill Friday designed to speed up foreclosures in Florida, but critics say the measure is unfair to homeowners...
Union files unfair labor practice complaints against 6 Logan contractors  Boston Globe   ...The union trying to organize airport contract employees has charged six aviation services companies at Logan International Airport with unfair labor practices, including restricting free speech, spying on a union meeting, and firing an employee for speaking out about working conditions...
UAW's King: Progressive groups must stand together   Lansing State Journal   ...Now more than ever, organized labor must stand shoulder-to-shoulder with other progressive groups as it fights for collective bargaining rights and other civil rights causes, United Auto Workers President Bob King said...
ALEC says its communications with Wisconsin lawmakers are private  Wisconsin State Journal   ...The American Legislative Exchange Council, better known as ALEC, is being challenged for using Internet drop boxes and broad new assertions of privacy to shield from public view the discussions of elected officials and corporate leaders it brings together to write model legislation for state governments...
LA Labor Remains Strong, United After Mayoral Race (opinion)  Huffington Post   ...those who attach too sweeping an analysis to the outcomes -- or suggest that labor's role in this city has declined -- are sadly off the mark...
Academy Award Maker Denies Earned Benefits to Workers  IBT   ...R.S. Owens, the Chicago company that’s produced Hollywood’s coveted Oscar statues for decades, is refusing to compensate its former workforce for nearly a year of earned vacation benefits...

Awesome solidarity for striking Teamsters at Republic

The thousands of Teamsters honoring picket lines and picket extensions in 25 cities aren't the only ones showing solidarity for striking Teamsters from Locals 377 in Youngstown, 984 in Memphis and Millington and 728 in McDonough, Ga.

Check out the video above. It shows ABF over-the-road driver and Teamster activist Gail Bristow supporting fellow Teamsters at Republic Services in McDonough..... by delivering her unpicked up trash to Republic's office.

These AFSCME trucks won't cross the line.

Teamster retirees are showing up to walk the line in San Jose. At the Shelby landfill in Memphis, a long line of trucks were parked by AFSCME drivers who refused to cross the Teamster picket line. Brother Robert Gibson posted on Facebook:

Hell yea, big shout out to the local AFSCME drivers for respecting our picket line at the south Shelby landfill in Memphis.

There were plenty of other expressions of solidarity and support on both the Teamsters Facebook page and the Republic Services Teamsters Facebook page:

Tony Gee: Keep it up and stay strong everyone

Pagan Liberal: I went by these guys this morning, and tooted our support. Damn proud of you guys!

Angela M Laub: You have our Support in Erie, Michigan 

Yesterday, students from the University of Memphis came out today to the line to support striking Teamster Local 984 members.

A lesson in solidarity.

How about this messages written in support?

And this one:

Finally, we want to share this email from Dan Haren:

As an IBEW 540 member and Republic waste customer you guys have the support of our family and neighbors in my community. I have made a few of the neighbors aware of the situation. Hope all goes well. 

Just curious... what kind of scab outfit is running current residential routes while you guys strike?

That would be a Bill Gates scab outfit...

This is how friends, family and neighbors are supporting hardworking American workers standing up to one of the richest men in the world. We hope we've given you some ideas.

Solidarity.

Teamsters' solidarity with striking Strongsville teachers

Thanks to Brother Fred Crow for this photo of the action.

Ohio Teamsters from Local 436 stood with striking teachers and 14 other unions in Strongsville on Friday. The teachers walked off the job on March 4 over pay, benefits and working conditions after contract talks broke down.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports:

The point was not only to show solidarity, but to emphasize the broader role of collective bargaining in assuring workers get treated fairly by their employer, close to the second anniversary of another large gathering of union workers on Strongsville Commons to protest the now-defeated Senate Bill 5... 

Several union representatives, including those from the transit workers, communication workers, Teamsters, United Auto Workers and several others, echoed that point. 

“An injury to one is an injury to all,” said Pat Gallagher, president of the North Shore AFL-CIO. “I want the Strongsville board of education to know that we are behind the Strongsville Education Association and we will work with them and fight with them until they get a fair and just agreement.”... 

(Strongsville Education Association President Tracy) Linscott said the rally was a morale booster for the SEA’s ranks after six weeks on the picket line, and the issue goes beyond the city’s border. 

“It shows everyone that it’s not just about Strongsville City Schools, it’s about labor and collective bargaining across the state,” Linsoctt said. “It also shows us that we have support from people right here in the community.”

Stand strong, brothers and sisters!

Teamster solidarity shuts down Waste Mgmt in CA

Photo by the California Labor Fed.

More than 200 Waste Management workers belonging to the ILWU successfully shut down three California facilities Friday morning because Teamsters and Machinists honored picket lines.

Teamsters refused to drive the company's trucks that collect trash and recycling each morning from residential and industrial customers. Members of the Machinists Union refused to report for maintenance and repair jobs during the strike.

Frying Pan News reports,

ILWU members organized their picket lines beginning at 3 a.m. outside the company’s headquarters in Oakland, a recycling facility in San Leandro and the massive regional landfill in Livermore/Altamont. The job action was sparked by the company’s blatant law-breaking against employees, including retaliation that targeted immigrant workers. 

In the days leading up to the strike, workers filed formal charges against Waste Management with the National Labor Relations Board that include:

• Threatening and intimidating employees;
• Implementing workplace policies without bargaining with the Union;
• Mistreating immigrant workers.

One particularly nasty episode involved Waste Management’s improper and illegal use of the federal “E-Verify” system to retaliate against immigrant recycling workers who were organizing for their rights on the job. Workers and community supporters have made several appearances at the Oakland City Council to protest Waste Management’s abusive behavior.

Fred Pecker, secretary-treasurer of ILWU Local 6, said:

America won’t work if big companies like Waste Management can break the law with impunity and violate workers’ rights. All workers deserve respect on the job and the right to be free from illegal threats.

Waste Management locked out 500 Teamsters from Local 70 in 2007 for a month. With the support of the Alameda Labor Council and the city's leadership, the Teamsters and the company went to federal mediation. Ultimately, a contract was ratified.

Talks with Waste Management and the ILWU are expected to continue.

Today's Teamster News 12.12.12

TRENDING: Hoffa predicts 'civil war' in Michigan  CNN   ... Jimmy Hoffa, president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, said Tuesday he expects Michigan unions and lawmakers to break out into "civil war" after the state legislature passed right-to-work bills that would weaken unions' power...
Editorial: Drinking the Kochs' Kool-Aid  Detroit Free Press   ...Michigan's proposed right-to-work bills mirror the ALEC language practically word-for-word...
Koch brothers, Tea Party cash drives Michigan right-to-work bill  Salon   ...it secures a dream of the anti-union Koch brothers and the American Legislative Exchange Council, whose associates are well-represented among Snyder’s donors, and whose economic agenda has been ascendant within the modern GOP...
GOP defends right-to-work exclusion of cop, fire unions  Detroit News   ...Some rank-and-file GOP lawmakers said there are other reasons why police and firefighters are getting a better deal than their union brethren who work in other dangerous jobs in prisons, construction and utilities. "They behave more like value-adding trade associations than unions," said state Rep. Mike Shirkey, R-Clarklake, the leading advocate for the drive to make Michigan the 24th right-to-work state...
There's Not A Single Spending Cut That Republican Voters Support  Business Insider   ...a new Marist-McClatchy poll shows that voters — including Republicans — oppose any and every specific spending cut proposed to them.
It goes hand in hand with the disparity between voters' wish for blanket "spending cuts" and their opposition to any cuts to an entitlement that benefits them...
DOJ refuses to indict HSBC explicitly because it is too big to fail  naked capitalism   ...State and federal authorities decided against indicting HSBC in a money-laundering case over concerns that criminal charges could jeopardize one of the world’s largest banks and ultimately destabilize the global financial system. Instead, HSBC announced on Tuesday that it had agreed to a record $1.92 billion settlement with authorities...
Monthly U.S. trade deficit with China hits new record.  manufacture this   ...The monthly U.S. international trade deficit in goods and services rose to $42.2 billion in October, up from $40.3 billion in September...
John Kasich paying a PR firm (with your money) to sell you his turnpike plan  Plunderbund   ...Yesterday we confirmed a top ODOT manager believed the consultants were hired specifically to help support Kasich’s plans to lease the turnpike...
Four Ohio prisons face possibility of closure under budget cuts  Columbus Dispatch   ...A fifth prison that seemed almost certain to close, the Hocking Correctional Facility, in Nelsonville, that houses older inmates, will get a reprieve, it now appears...
LABOR: Teamster food truck drivers strike in Washington  The Press-Enterprise   ...Truck drivers and warehouse workers at United Natural Foods went on strike in Auburn, Wash., citing unfair labor practices and lousy wages. Contract negotiations broke off prior to 166 Teamsters walking off their jobs...
Teamster DHL Workers Support Turkish Workers' Right To Organize  IBT   ...Teamsters working at DHL across the United States and Canada will join in solidarity for an International Day of Action on December 12 with DHL workers worldwide to support workers in Turkey who have been mistreated while trying to form a union...
CP, Teamsters Canada workers reach accord  Railway Age   ...The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference-Maintenance of Way Employees Division (TCRC-MWED), representing 2,600 maintenance of way workers, and Canadian Pacific reached a tentative historic five-year contract settlement, CP announced Tuesday....

Wal-Mart strikes in 100 cities, 46 states

The video above shows 33 Wal-Mart actions today in 33 cities. There were way more: Making Change at Walmart reports 1,000 actions throughout the country, including strikes in at least 100 cities and protests in 46 states.  Josh Eidelson reported in The Nation that it will take time to tally more exact figures because many strikers are walking off the job on their own in stores where no actions have been taken before.

Local 707 today in Kingston, N.Y.

Teamsters pledged their support for the strike, organized by an offshoot of UFCW. (The Teamsters and UFCW belong to the Change to Win federation.)

Teamsters all over the country came out to show solidarity with the striking workers. Teamsters from Local 728 raised a ruckus on the picket line in Atlanta. They joined a rally in front of a store in Durham, N.C. Joint Council 7's truck rolled up to the Wal-Mart action in San Jose, Calif. Teamsters from Local 89 came bearing "ULP Strike" signs in Louisville. Local 707 members brought handmade signs to the rally in Kingston, N.Y.

We'll have more reports of Teamster action over the next week.

Joint Council 7 in San Jose

Wal-Mart called the police on some strikers. In St. Cloud, Fla.,Vanessa Ferreira,  a 59-year-old cake decorator walked off the job -- alone -- and police arrested her for trespassing. Gather reported,

Ferreira said that the wages Walmart paid were far too low to survive on, and that workers had to use government benefits to supplement their incomes. She also said that many employees are on part-time status, which makes it very difficult for them. "They pay low wages, then the taxpayers pick up the tab for food stamps and Medicaid," Ferreira said.

The Naked Capitalist points out that it's too early to tell how effective the strike will be. But she also notes another threat to Wal-Mart:


It’s too early to tell how effective the Black Friday against Walmart’s low pay and abusive working conditions were. The early reports from management and the organizers are wildly at odds with each other.

However, a new front may open up in the Walmart disputes: that of disruption to its international shipments. It’s too early to tell if this is serious or merely sympathetic window dressing, but the four and a half million strong International Transport Workers’ Federation had cleared its throat. From the Guardian:

Now the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has written to shipping owners and ship captains who carry Walmart goods and asked them to contact the gigantic global company and express support for the protesting workers. “Walmart workers taking industrial action know that their jobs are at risk. The least we can do to help is use our expertise at sea and relations with the shipping industry to back them in any way we can.”

Local 89 in Louisville, Ky.

ITF acting general secretary Steve Cotton told the Guardian: “We’re talking to captains and the ship operators moving Walmart goods, and asking them to register their concerns with the company about its treatment of staff – and the impact that could have on trade.” 

As readers no doubt know, Walmart’s business model depends on being able to import cheap goods from overseas. It also uses the “just in time” inventory practices first developed by Japanese automakers, so it does not typically carry large inventory buffers. If international transport workers were to start interfering with or delaying Walmart shipments, it could prove to be disruptive.

 Stay tuned.

Wal-Mart workers strike in 6 Seattle stores today

Details are sketchy, as there seems to be a mainstream media blackout of the growing labor discontent at Wal-Mart. But we're hearing from Twitter that Wal-Mart workers walked off the job in six Seattle stores today.

A press release from Making Change at Wal-Mart tells us:

As Black Friday approaches, Walmart workers and warehouse workers walked off the job Wednesday and Thursday in protest of the company’s attempts to silence workers who speak out for better jobs. Warehouse workers from Southern California walked off the job Wednesday morning; Walmart workers from San Leandro, California walked off the job Wednesday afternoon; and this morning, Walmart workers from Seattle joined them. 

This afternoon, Walmart workers from cities across the country announced that these strikes are the first of 1000 protests, including more strikes, rallies and online actions, at Walmart stores leading up to and on Black Friday. Workers announced upcoming strikes and protests in Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, Milwaukee, Washington DC, as well as workers walking off the job in Oklahoma, Mississippi, Louisiana and Minnesota. The group held off announcing the specific dates of the protest out of concern that Walmart would use it as an opportunity to try to silence the workers’ voices. 

There's a livestream video of a noisy rally outside a store in Federal Way, Wash., here. We hear a band playing, "Get Up, Stand Up for Your Rights."

Josh Eidelson at The Nation noted on Tuesday that the Southern California strike,

...will be the latest in an unprecedented wave of work stoppages throughout the retail giant’s US supply chain. It follows strikes by seafood workers in June, by warehouse workers in September, and by 160 retail workers in twelve states last month. It comes a week before Black Friday, the post-Thanksgiving shopping extravaganza that workers have pledged—barring concessions from the company—will bring their biggest disruptions yet.

The strike in Mira Loma, Calif., that started yesterday has moved to the street today:

Warehouse Workers United tweets that supporters are risking arrest outside of the Wal-Mart-contracted warehouse.

One former Wal-Mart worker was handcuffed yesterday for talking to retail workers about the planned Black Friday strike. Again, Josh Eidelson has the story in The Nation:

A former Walmart employee was handcuffed Wednesday when he visited his old store to talk to workers about next week’s “Black Friday” strike. Alex Rivera, who was fired in September, told The Nation that Walmart management intentionally misled Orlando police, leading them to detain him for twenty minutes in the store. The incident was denounced by the union-backed workers’ group OUR Walmart, which alleges that Walmart has been breaking the law to keep its workers in line.

Teamsters are urged to support rallies outside of the Wal-Mart properties that are being struck. The best way to find a rally near you is to click here at the Corporate Action Network.

Solidarity!

Woot! Xpedx strike is over!

Great news! The 40-day Xpedx strike by Local 25 members in Wilmington, Mass., is over! The members got a 5-year contract,  with full pension and health benefits maintained. Connecticut's Xpedx members are covered on the same contract.

Sister Lynda Beaulieu-Fresolo, a striker, posted this exultant message on the Teamsters Boston Facebook page:

I am proud to be a member of the best union and the best local in the WORLD!

While strikers are happy to return to work, there's still some bitterness. One local restaurant drew Beaulieu-Fresolo's ire:

Just a reminder to my friends and Teamsters Boston brothers, sisters and families: Please do not eat at As Good As It Gets Cafe . They were the official scab food provider for the 40-day Xpedx strike. They crossed every day, every shift, to feed those pieces of crap who were in there replacing us, while we were out in the cold, picketing on a 24/7 line, to preserve good jobs.

The Country Chef Cafe is recommended as an alternative -- perhaps for a victory dinner?

Congratulations, brothers and sisters. And solidarity forever.

Today's Teamster News 11.09.12

Let’s Not Make a Deal (opinion)  New York Times   ...Mr. Obama should hang tough, declaring himself willing, if necessary, to hold his ground even at the cost of letting his opponents inflict damage on a still-shaky economy. And this is definitely no time to negotiate a “grand bargain” on the budget that snatches defeat from the jaws of victory...
Simpson-Bowles 'Grand Bargain' Candidates Lose on Tuesday  AFL-CIO   ...losing candidates were outspoken in their support of the Bowles-Simpson plan and their endorsement by the plan's authors. Voters made it clear that they don't want to cut benefits for Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid. An election-night poll conducted by Peter D. Hart Research Associates also showed strong opposition to elements of the Bowles-Simpson plan...
Made in America markets create communities of like-minded consumers  CNN   ...NorthernGRADE (is) a pop-up menswear market of American-made goods making its Chicago debut two years after launching in Minnesota. Meeting the crafters, designers and small-business owners behind the brands added to the appeal…It's a phenomenon that draws comparisons to the slow food movement, farmers' markets and food and wine festivals as venues for showcasing artisanal approaches to crafting goods. By allowing consumers to touch the materials and talk to vendors about where the products came from, brands can educate them on why they're worth the markup...
The Importance Of Elizabeth Warren  The Baseline Scenario   ...Her victory matters not only because it helps the Democrats keep control of the Senate but because Ms. Warren has a proven track record of speaking truth to authority on financial issues – both to officials in Washington and to powerful people on Wall Street...
New York rations gasoline as electric outages mount  AFP   ...New York announced gasoline rationing Thursday to address a fuel crisis sparked by superstorm Sandy, as tens of thousands more people lost electricity and officials prepared to deploy emergency mobile homes...
Raley's-Nob Hill Rally at Alameda Nob Hill Draws Hundreds  Union City Patch   ...From teamsters to teachers, unions from across the Bay Area rallied at Alameda's Nob Hill supermarket Wednesday evening in support of employees who have been on strike since Sunday over wages and medical benefits...

Correction: NY Teamsters donate weekly pay to fired brothers

One hour. We each give one hour per week.

We reported yesterday that our Teamster brothers from Local 584 in New York City voted to make a one-hour-of-pay-per-month contribution to support 42 Elmhurst Dairy members who were fired.

We were wrong. They voted to make a one-hour-of-pay-per-week contribution to support their brothers who were unjustly fired and replaced by cheaper workers.

Julio Montes

The photo above shows the members yesterday as they voted to give ONE hour a week to support their Elmhurst Dairy brothers. Until they get their jobs back, they'll be facing tough times. Julio Montes, for example, worked at the dairy since 2004 until he was fired last month. He supports his wife, who's on disability, and five daughters.

Arthur Stingo, a member of Local 584, was there doing the vote:

...amazing Teamsters when it came to it we stood as a Union. Nobody was divided.. In Union We Stand..!!!!

Brothers and sisters all over the country posted messages of support and admiration for the solidarity shown by Local 584 on the Teamsters Facebook page. Here are just a few:

Frank Mendiara Rock solid, guys. Way to go to bat for our brothers 

Nathan Tinsley Local 700 givin a shout out!!! 

Kevin M. Durant That's why we call ourselves a BROTHERHOOD we are family and family takes care of family. 

Edelmiro Rodriguez way to boys as always we set the stage for others to follow . its moments like that make me a proud teamster and have been for over 25 years 

Don Meadows PROUD TO BE UNION 

Andrew Iglio ATTA boy guys local 282 

David Stover That's what us "thugs" do...help each other out. Way to go from a brother in Local 173!

Joint Council 16 President George Miranda said the union will not tolerate that treatment by Elmhurst Dairy. The Teamsters are fighting to get their jobs back, and have filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board.

Stay tuned. And stay proud.

NY Teamsters donate pay to fired brothers

This is what solidarity looks like today at Local 584.

More than 300 members of Teamsters local 584 in New York City voted just now to make a one-hour-per-month contribution to support 42 Elmhurst Dairy members who were fired.

The laid-off Teamsters are skilled, experienced and have seniority at the Jamaica, Queens-based dairy. Owner Henry Schwartz replaced them last month by lower-paid workers -- in violation of the contract.

It looks like this, too.

The Teamsters filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board to get them their jobs back.

Teamsters Joint Council 16 President George Miranda said the union would not allow its members to be treated like that:

Teamsters have made this plant a success for years only to be dismissed at the whims of management bent on increasing their own profits on the backs of workers. Their dismissal violates the collective bargaining agreement we had with Elmhurst Dairy and the rights of these 42 Teamsters. This is worse than bad faith from Henry Schwartz – It’s an attack on these employees and their families...There is no excuse for these actions.

Teamster Local 584 President Frank Wunderlich said it was a disgrace for Schwartz to hurt working families in such hard economic times. Two members of the New York City Council issued statements saying they support the workers.

Once again, Teamsters write the book on solidarity.

Tell Wal-Mart workers you support them

Yesterday's strike at Wal-Mart in SoCal.

Wal-Mart workers are rising up against poverty and exploitation all over the country. In the past few weeks, they've taken action in Southern California, Illinois, Dallas and New York.

Wal-Mart hopes it all dies down (you know, through threats, intimidation and lies to the news media). Working people hope for something different.

Show the Wal-Mart workers you support their struggle by signing a letter to the group representing them, Organization United for Respect at Wal-Mart (aka OUR Wal-Mart). The letter says,

Congratulations on your brave action! I support your calls for Walmart to stop its unlawful attempts to silence and intimidate workers for practicing their right to free speech. 

I stand with you through your strike. The rights we hold dear in this country were bought by groups of people standing up for what's right. Walmart's treatment of its workers is bad for all Americans, and we stand with you in the fight for a more prosperous and just economy.     

Our country works best when everyone shares in its prosperity, not when too much of the money is concentrated in too few hands. 

Thank you for standing up and demanding fair treatment and an end illegal retaliation.

You can show solidarity for workers at Wal-mart by signing the letter here.

And here's a photo of a Chicago Wal-Mart manager receiving 100,000 signatures supporting the striking Wal-Mart workers:

Solidarity!

The Union is YOU

Brother Mark J. Cleland posted a message on Local 436's Facebook page. He's spot on, so we're sharing it with you:

Most people feel that the "Union" is the Executive Board, the people who "Run" the union. This could not be further from the truth. 

"The Union" is YOU! YOU are the one who elects YOUR officials to represent YOU. YOU are the one who has the priviledge to go to YOUR meetings and speak what's on YOUR mind, to let YOUR board know of any grievance YOU may have. A strong Union is only as strong as its members. 

Show YOUR employer YOU mean business, show them YOU stand behind YOUR union, attend meetings, report infractions by the employer to YOUR shop steward or local when they occur. YOU will never agree with 100% of what YOUR local does or doesn't do. But it is important that YOU get past that and carry on and continue fighting for YOUR rights. YOU are the eyes and ears of the Union.

Nurses walk the strike line with Teamsters in Washington

Thanks to Ben Tilden, WSNA, for the photo.

Striking Davis Wire Teamsters got some morale-building solidarity from the Washington State Nursing Association yesterday, the hottest day of the year.

Nurses showed up on the picket line outside the sweatshop wire mill, where workers have been on strike since May 21.

It's especially appropriate that nurses walked the line, as the Davis Wire employees work in extremely dangerous conditions. Some have lost fingers and broken bones on the job.

The Stand reports the nurses spent,

...part of the day in the 93-degree heat showing solidarity on the picket line with striking Davis Wire workers in Kent. 

The 85 workers at the company’s Kent facility have been on strike since May 21 after working without a contract since Dec. 1, 2011. Just three days after these workers voted to authorize a strike over dangerous working conditions, the company laid off 27 employees — nearly a third of its unionized workforce. Their union, Teamsters Local 117, contends that the layoffs were retaliatory. 

Show solidarity on the picket line — Many other unions and union supporters — including a number of elected officials– have shown their solidarity on the Davis Wire picket lines, and their participation has lifted the spirits and energy of the Davis Wire strikers. Come down to the strike line at 194st & 80th Ave. S. in Kent  and walk the picket line (workers are picketing 24/7). If you like, bring coffee, water, wood, or food (the healthier the better!) down to the line. 

Please make a contribution — and ask your union organization to make a contribution — to the DAVIS WIRE – ONE MORE DAY fund. Local 117 set up this fund to help the strikers’ families, which are struggling to pay their bills and make ends meet as they make the brave stand up for fair treatment. Click here to contribute via PayPal, or mail checks made out to the “Davis Wire ONE MORE DAY Fund” to Teamsters Local 117 at 14675 Interurban Ave. South, Suite 307, Tukwila, WA, 98168. 

Thank you for your support! 

Learn more about the Davis Wire struggle by watching a video clip of their appearance at the WSLC 2012 Convention on Aug. 6 in Wenatchee. 

For the latest updates on the Davis Wire strike, visit www.Teamsters117.org.

DHL declares war on workers in Turkey

In the last year, DHL Turkey says it has fired 24 workers for “performance related” reasons. But they're fooling no one.

TÜMTİS, the Turkey Motor Vehicle and Transport Workers’ Union, has been trying to organize the DHL workers for over a year. DHL management in Turkey has fired workers for trying to organize and threatened to fire other workers for joining TÜMTİS. On top of that, DHL is refusing to meet with the union over the firings.

Between last April and November, eight workers were fired for what the DHL called poor performance and endangering worker safety and health. But the workers said managers openly threatened one worker at a time with dismissal for organizing.

The International Transport Workers Federation has been working with TÜMTİS to get the workers’ jobs back. Even after the ITF started talks with management in June, DHL fired seven more workers for supporting the organizing effort.

Nine of the workers currently have cases pending in courts. Eight have been paid but haven’t gotten their jobs back despite a court order.

According to the LabourStart Act Now petition posted by ITF,

Sacked workers are currently standing outside the warehouses in an act of resistance over their unfair dismissal. TÜMTİS has made every attempt to engage local management and seek a resolution to the ongoing dismissals, but to no avail. Local management continues to approach workers who have joined TÜMTİS, reportedly telling them that they must resign from TÜMTİS or they will lose their job. The workers demand the right to become members of TÜMTİS, and organize a union in their workplace, free from intimidation and threat of dismissal.

Last week, DHL International’s Human Resources department agreed with Turkish managers. They said the firings were performance-related and the company is obeying Turkish law. They also said management doesn't need to meet with TÜMTİS because the company doesn’t recognize the union as legally representing the workers.

Currently, 335 DHL Turkey workers are members of TÜMTİS. In addition to ITF, UNI Global Union is helping TÜMTİS and the workers organize free from harassment and intimidation by management at DHL Turkey.

Teamsters in the U.S. know the importance of international labor solidarity – especially with our brothers and sisters in Turkey. Last year the Teamsters helped Turkish UPS workers win the right to representation by TÜMTİS after a drawn out battle with UPS.

Sign the ITF petition and support DHL workers in Turkey.

Dayanışma (solidarity)!

-- Union Thug

Houston janitors’ strike spreads to 8 cities

Hundreds of striking janitors in Houston who walked off the job last week are being joined by hundreds more this week as picket lines extend to eight cities across the country.

The janitors – employed by contractors to clean office buildings for companies like Exxon Mobile, Shell Oil, and JP Morgan Chase – are striking against unfair labor practices. They are also demanding an end to poverty wages in a city recently named by Forbes as the number one city for millionaires.

SEIU, which represents the janitors, reported in a press release this morning,

Tomorrow, the Houston janitors’ unfair labor practices strike will spread to eight cities across the United States. Janitors, who are members of SEIU Local 1, will fan out across the country to establish picket lines against their janitorial contractors in Washington, Minneapolis, Seattle, Boston, San Ramon and Oakland. On Thursday, janitors in Los Angeles and Denver will also join the strike. Janitors in these cities have indicated that they will not cross the picket lines, thereby expanding the strike to key real estate in new cities.

The ULP strike that began last Tuesday is the first city-wide work stoppage by Houston janitors since 2006. SEIU explains how it started:

The janitors’ union contract expired on May 31, 2012. While in bargaining with their employers, janitors asked for a modest raise from $8.35 per hour to $10 per hour to be phased in over four years. However, building owners and contractors responded by offering a raise of just $.50 over five years – an almost certain promise that janitors will continue to live in poverty. When janitors refused to accept this offer, they were met with harassment and intimidation by their employers. This prompted workers to call for a city-wide strike on July 11 in response to unfair treatment.

In an effort to intimidate workers, three of the companies illegally imposed unilateral changes by ceasing contributions to health and welfare funds.

The strike is in its second week and includes more than 400 janitors at 18 different buildings in Houston, a city with glaring income inequality. While one in five workers in the city make less than $10 an hour, Houston leads the nation in annual growth for millionaires.
Josh Eidelson at In These Times writes:

According to the union, Houston’s 15 largest employers brought in over $178 billion in profit last year, while union janitors, mostly working part-time schedules, are paid below $9,000 annually.

Eidelson explains how SEIU is using sympathy pickets to win justice for janitors in Houston:

In some cities, SEIU janitors employed by some of the same companies have “conscience clauses” in their contracts, protecting their rise to honor picket lines by refusing work. That means that if a striking Houston worker traveled to such a city and began picketing the same company there, the workers inside could walk off the job, effectively spreading the strike throughout the country.

Teamsters – many of whom also enjoy conscience clauses in their contracts – know solidarity is our best weapon against corporate greed and attacks on workers. And given the stakes of the dispute in Houston, it can mean the difference between a hard loss and striking a heavy blow against the one percent:

“What’s happening here in Houston is a microcosm of what’s happening to our whole country,” said Elsa Caballero, State Director for SEIU Local 1 Texas. “The gap between the richest 1% and working families is growing every day. It’s going to take bold action to rebuild our country’s middle class.”

Solidarity!

-- Union Thug

Locked-out Con Ed workers need mojo

Consolidated Edison utility workers say they need help. Eight thousand of them were locked out of their jobs 16 days ago. They're already picketing at 20 Con Ed locations in New York City and Westchester County. This from Tim Holmes on the Teamsters Facebook page:

Today in History your Brotners and Sisters of Li al 1-2 are locked out .There Standing Firm , Their converting this fight into Elitist Austerity, We get Raises They Dont. They need your help in a big way, things like blocking roads, refusing pickups, Loosing trucks, Whatever tricks stunts or in their face maneuvers you dare bring brothers and sisters. We need your Mojo!

One way you can help your union brothers and sisters in New York is to show up at their rally for a fair contract tomorrow. It's at 5:30 pm in Union Square.

All the workers want is fair pay if the company is making money. The Indypendent tells us it is:

And it is: last year, Con Ed grossed over $1 billion in profits, while its CEO Kevin Burke took home almost $11 million. According to Local 1-2, Burke has requested Con Ed shareholders to approve another pay raise while he is simultaneously seeking to cut worker benefits.

Isn't that lovely?

To give you an idea of the lockout's impact on Con Ed workers, here's a post by Quinton Vernon on Facebook:

My wonderful wife and I, are celebrating our 8 anniversary tomorrow. All we can afford to get each other are cards that we'll be exchanging after I get home from the union rally to fight for my pension and benefits to support our family. Thanks Con Ed. My family won't ever forget this. I promise.

Government officials are telling Con Ed to end the lockout. Here's a statement from Republican state Sen. Greg Ball:

There are 3.2 million Con Edison customers and 350,000 reside in Westchester County. There is never a good time for Consolidated Edison workers to be on picket lines and that is especially so when it is as hot as Hades! Utility workers are the backbone keeping us in the 21st century, with all the creature comforts, and it is critical that management provides the framework for an immediate and lasting agreement. The sooner these hard working men and women are allowed to return to work, and both sides meet with open hearts at the bargaining table, the better for Westchester and beyond.

At least the company responded to public pressure and reinstated the workers' health insurance.  

Solidarity! Republic pickets extend to Long Beach

Teamsters honored a third California picket line extension today to support locked-out Indiana Teamsters at Republic Services/Allied Waste.

Members of Local 396 at Republic honored the picket at a facility in Long Beach, in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Evansville, Ind.

The 80 Republic Teamsters at Local 215, locked out since May 8, have also been supported by  Teamsters at a transfer station in Richmond. They honored pickets set up on June 1. Teamsters in Milpitas, Calif., also refused to cross their picket line extension on Monday.

Republic obviously doesn't understand the power of Teamster solidarity yet.  You'd think they'd get it after picket line extensions went up for striking Alabama Teamsters at Republic in March. They had 400 Teamsters at their backs in Columbus, Ohio, Buffalo, N.Y., and Seattle. The Alabama workers ratified a contract and returned to work a week later.

As the workers wrote on Facebook this morning:

...members of Teamsters Local 215 are picketing in Long Beach, CA this morning. Where will they go next? ‎300 members of Teamsters Local 396 chose to honor the picket line...that's Teamster unity!

Stay strong and keep fighting!

Amazing GOTV effort in WI could bring Barrett a win

From the Friends of Teamsters Local 222 Facebook page.

In just a few hours the polls will open in Wisconsin. The energy surrounding the election is reaching a fever pitch in Milwaukee, where We Are Wisconsin knocked on more than 257,000 doors on Saturday alone.

Workers and activists have been canvassing and phone-banking for weeks in a high-stakes struggle to beat back Gov. Scott Walker’s well-financed campaign. Walker that has outspent his opponent, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, 20-to-1.

The flood of out-of-state corporate money that has deluged the Wisconsin recall on Walker’s behalf has reached over $30 million – the most money ever raised by a public candidate in the state’s history.

The Nation’s John Nichols wrote this weekend,

Governor Scott Walker is not trying to win the Wisconsin recall election that will be held June 5. He is trying to buy it. If the embattled governor does prevail, he will provide essential evidence not of his own appeal but of the power of money to define our politics.

But activists and union members have mounted a huge get-out-the-vote operation that relies on people power to defeat the governor.

And as the election comes down to the wire, more news broke today about the governor’s role in the John Doe corruption investigation:

Scott Walker's closest political aide has just been named in Milwaukee County Circuit Court Monday as the source of damaging revelations that undermine Walker's claim that he has cooperated with the John Doe criminal corruption probe into his current and former administrations.

Tim Russell…was said in court Monday to have given Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Dan Bice information that showed that, contrary to Walker's claims, Walker was stonewalling investigators all along.

Ever since Walker rammed through legislation last year that stripped collective bargaining rights for public sector workers, the Badger State has been ground zero for the war on workers. And we’ve learned a lot about Walker over the past year.

Most important, Wisconsin's economy has suffered under his policies. According to the federal government, Wisconsin had the worst job record of any state in the country. To counter that fact, Walker put out his own job numbers that the Bureau of Labor Statistics would not confirm.

Walker is famous for being the only governor in Wisconsin history to set up his own criminal defense fund. The governor was caught detailing his divide-and-conquer strategy against unions in the state. And last week, we learned about Walker’s “deer czar” who has a history of taking public land away from hunters.

So, it’s not surprising that Walker has felt the need to spend enormous sums on ads attacking Tom Barrett.
Despite all the money Walker has spent, the tight race between the governor and Barrett is in a dead heat, according the latest PPP poll.

The outcome tomorrow hinges on turnout. Labor is mobilizing in big numbers to get union members out to the polls in one of the most important elections for workers around the country.

We like what Rev. Jesse Jackson told a crowd of Wisconsinites on Sunday:

Sooner or later the coach has to stop talking. The ball's in your court now. You can go out and vote on Tuesday. Most of you couldn't have been there in August of 1963 on the Mall in Washington, or marching from Selma to Montgomery in 1965, but God keeps giving us chances to change the world in our times. This is one of those times.

Added Esquire’s Charles Pierce:

At the end of the day, which is coming on Tuesday, that's all that's left. The marches and the occupations and the gathering of the signatures, it was all prologue to a couple of million individual decisions. Stay home or go out and vote. Everyone's equal when the curtains close.

On Wisconsin!