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Teamsters Local 117 represents thousands of members at many counties and municipalities in our region. Stay informed by checking the latest news from Teamsters Local 117 members working in the public sector. If you are a Local 117 member working in the public sector, be sure to register for your Local Union's website to receive action alerts, email, and your Local Union's electronic newsletter, Teamster Talk.
To contact your Business Representative, click here.
For the latest public sector updates:
Public Sector Overview
Teamsters Local 117 is one of the largest Teamsters Locals in the United States representing approximately 16,000 members in both the public and private sectors. Our size and diversity uniquely positions us to lobby and effectively advocate for our public sector members.
Because most public sector employees are denied by the law the right to strike, bargaining power and leverage must be developed in different arenas. Key to development of that leverage are our relationships with local, state, and federal elected leaders. Our relationships are based on the premise that in order to make positive changes in the working lives of the people we represent we must find ways to work with politicians. If necessary, we sometimes must exercise our numbers at the polls to ensure that issues of importance to working families are heard. Ultimately the success of our members in affecting public policy and change comes from an active and engaged membership, willing to become involved as part of a large and dynamic union.
General Information
Teamsters Local 117 members in the public sector work for a wide range of employers. From the Washington State Department of Corrections to cities and counties. If you are interested in employment in the public sector the following links may be of some help.
Retirment Benefits
Virtually all employees in the Public Sector in Washington State are covered under the State Retirement System known as PERS. Information about PERS can be found at: www.drs.wa.gov
If you are covered under a supplemental Teamsters pension plan, click here.
Political Action
Political action is crucial to making your voice heard. It is often said of public employees that they are the workers who get to vote for their bosses during each election cycle. During each cycle Teamsters Local 117, in conjunction with the rest of the labor movement, participates in the Labor-Neighbor program. Members fan out across their region to talk to other Union members regarding issues in the election and discuss the candidates involved. If you are interested in participating in this rewarding program please contact our Local's political coordinator Betty Sorbo at: betty@teamsters117.org or 206-441-4860 ext. 233 or Bob Francis at 253-272-9379
The Public Sector Representative Team
Evelyn Shannon: evelyn.shannon@teamsters117.org or by phone at 206-441-4860 ext.1235.
Evie has been a Teamster for 23 years. She started as a School Bus Driver for Lake Washington. She was a Shop Steward for 10 years, and participated in negotiations during that time.
She sat on the Teamsters Local 763 Executive Board as Vice-President and President. Evie is also a board member on the Joint Council 28 Teamster Women Caucus. She was hired by Local 117 in October 2010.
Jeff Clark: jeff.clark@teamsters117.org or by phone 206-441-4860 ext.1239
Teamsters Local 117 hired Jeff Clark in January of 2010. Jeff is a Teamster of over 20 years. He has spent the last ten years directly involved with the bargaining process both as a Business Agent and as a Shop Steward. Jeff is a certified Human Resource Generalist and is trained in Federal and State Labor Laws, Compensation and Benefits, and Labor relations. He has developed communication plans, provided customer service, supervised the grievance process, negotiated grievance settlements and has performed as lead negotiator for collective bargaining, in both the public and private sectors.
As a Teamster, Jeff has served as a trustee for the executive board at Teamsters Local 763 and as a trustee to the Transportation/Circulations Executive Committee of the Newspaper, Magazine and Electronic Media Workers Conference.
Joe Harmon: joe.harmon@teamsters117.org or by phone at: 206-441-4860 ext. 1229
Joe became a Teamster in 1999 when he went to work for Safeway as an order selector. During his 13 year-career with the company, Joe has also worked in loading, deep sanitation, and most recently as a receiving clerk. Joe exemplfies what it means to be a Teamster. He is thoroughly committed to his Union and has dedicated countless hours of his time to participate in political action events, community activities, and Union service projects. He was one of the founding members of the Teamsters for Tomorrow; he lobbied for staff safety at the Department of Corrections; he volunteered for Seattle’s Paid Sick Days campaign; and he walked the picket line with striking Teamsters at Coke, SCS, and Davis Wire.
Matthew House: matt.house@teamsters117.org or by phone at: 206-441-4860 ext.1242.
Matt was hired by Local 117 in March of 2008. With experience negotiating contracts and as a Union Shop Steward at both Food Service of America and Golden State Foods, Matt brings private sector tenacity to his job with the public sector. Matt currently represents 117 members at the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, the Seattle Housing Authority,and the Pike Place Market, among many other shops.
Cetris Tucker: cetris.tucker@teamsters117.org or by phone at: 206-441-4860 ext.1263.
Cetris has been a Teamster since 1991 when she went to work for Hertz Rent-A-Car. Cetris worked at Hertz for 15 years, where she was a Shop Steward and a respected leader in her workplace. Cetris has extensive experience bargaining contracts. She is passionate about advocating for members' rights. Her public sector jurisdictions include several bargaining units at the Port of Seattle. In 2012, Cetris became a Trustee on the Union's Executive Board.
Thomas Wray: thomas.wray@teamsters117.org or by phone at: 206-441-4860 ext.1267
Thomas was hired by Local 117 in 2008 as a Business Representative after starting his career at Waste Management, where he was a Teamster Shop Steward and participated in several contract negotiations. Thomas is a strong advocate for workers and has extensive experience handling grievances and providing representational services to members.
Local 117 public sector news articles and information:
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