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Teamster
Talk #21: When We Fight, We Win!
Quote
of the month: "We just want what's fair,” Will Buff, Sysco
IN THIS
ISSUE:
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| LOCAL 117 HOMEPAGE
A message from your Secretary-Treasurer,
Tracey A. Thompson
 Brothers and Sisters:
On August 16, after three full months on strike, our Davis Wire members made the extremely difficult choice to ratify a contract and return to work.
While the ratified Last, Best and Final offer was a significant improvement from prior LBFs and included annual wage increases that we believe will offset increases in health care costs during the term of the agreement, the Company also included a poison pill – eight replacement workers will continue to work and will displace some of our members for up to six months.
The inclusion of such a proposal in the Last, Best and Final demonstrates the total inhumanity of Davis Wire owners and management. The only reason to include such a proposal is to break the spirit of the workers. Read more
Local 117 takes on contract fights across the Union
When members’ rights are being trampled on and their livelihoods are at stake, you can be sure that Teamsters Local 117 will not back down from a fight.
Across our Union, in a variety of industries, members of have been banding together and standing up to powerful forces intent on destroying labor.
At Davis Wire, Local 117 members displayed incredible courage and determination in a three-month strike with a heartless employer.
Against all odds, they fought and won a victory that will improve working conditions and restore their dignity that had been stripped by billionaire owner, Michael Heisley. Read more
Sysco comes after Teamster health care
Food service negotiations kicked off this summer, with contracts opening with Food Services of America and Sysco on August 31. Bargaining in both cases has been challenging, and it’s coming down to the wire.
At FSA, your Union will be at the table again on September 17 and 18, while at Sysco, the company is still clinging to an economic proposal that would significantly erode health care protections for Teamster members and their families. Read
more
Teamsters at UNFI authorize strike
There was a little more on the tables of families in need this holiday season thanks to the tremendous generosity of Teamsters at King County.
In all, King County employees, many of whom are Teamsters, pledged more than $1.573 million for the more than 700 nonprofits in its charitable giving program for 2011. Read
more
DOC News: Members win big in furlough case
For two years, Local 117 members waited patiently for an outcome in the furlough case. Finally, they have some money in their pockets.
Arbitrator Anthony Vivenzio’s decision directing the DOC to make whole all members impacted under Furlough I (ESSB 6503) “for any economic losses, including lost wages and interest thereupon at the rate of 12% per annum” was a long time in the coming, but the result is sweet.
Under the award, all members impacted under ESSB 6503 were made whole for eight days.
The arbitrator’s decision represents a complete victory for Local 117 members whose contract was violated when the State implemented ESSB 6503. It demonstrates the strength of our DOC members’ contract with respect to their seniority rights as union members.
Other unions, including WFSE and SEIU fought the furlough, but only Local 117 was able to achieve an arbitrator’s make-whole ruling in its members’ favor.
The money from furlough was not insignificant - over $1 million for 800 correctional employees. It helped many members and their families through rough patches.
In one case, it helped a grateful member from Washington Corrections Center for Women (WCCW) update her household appliances with a new washer, dryer, and stove! |
September 2012
Mark
your calendars!
Sept. 20 - Membership Mtg.
Sept. 22 - Soccer Tournament
Nov. 17 - Blood Drive
Quarterly Membership Meeting - Sept 20
Join your fellow Teamsters for your Local Union's quarterly membership meeting. Dinner will be served before the meeting.
There will also be an orientation meeting for new members starting at 12 PM and 6 PM on the day of the meeting. New members who attend the Orientation Meeting may be eligible for a reduction in their initiation fee.
If you have questions, talk to your Business Representative.
Local 117 Soccer Tournament - Sept. 22
Join your fellow Union members for the 3rd Teamsters Local 117 Soccer Tournament!
The event will take place on Saturday, September 22 at the Tukwila Community Center - 12424 42nd Ave. S. starting at 10:30am. This is a 6 vs. 6 tournament.
You must register your team to participate. There is space for a maximum of 8 teams so register early - first come first serve! To register, call 206-441-4860 ext. 1269.
Blood Drive - Nov. 15
For over 20 years, members of your Local Union have been donating blood to area blood banks as a part of the annual Teamsters Local 117 Blood Drive.
This year's Blood Drive will take place on Saturday, November 17, 2012 from 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM at the Teamsters Building in Tukwila, WA (14675 Interurban Ave. S., Tukwila, WA 98168). Local 117 has partnered with Cascade Regional Blood Services for the event.
All participants at this year's Blood Drive will receive a $25 Safeway gift card to help them celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday
Last year, our members donated over 100 pints of blood! Don't miss this opportunity to help Local 117 save lives.
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