Driving - Teamsters Local 25

The Teamsters Unionis gearing up for theNational Master FreightAgreement (NMFA) contracttalks, and members will betaking an active role soon.The NMFA, which coversabout 80,000 Teamsters, expireson March 31, 2008, just fourmonths before the nationalUPS contract expires.Early in 2007, theInternational Union will besending out surveys to freightmembers to determine their topcontract priorities. Soon afterthat, the union will be askingfreight local unions, includingLocal 25, to request formalproposals from members.“The input from our Local25 freight members is critical,”said Sean M. O’Brien, Local 25President. “We need to heartheir concerns and issues so thatwe can present those concernsto the National NegotiatingCommittee. I will be callingon our freight members toattend a proposal meetingsoon. It is imperative that Local25 members take part so thattheir voices are heard at thenational level.”“The International Unionis committed to protectingour members’ health, welfareand pension benefits,” saidJim Hoffa, Teamsters GeneralPresident. “The union will beassembling a team of expertsto analyze all the relevantdata to make sure members’ priorities are addressed.Every Teamster-represented freight carrier is having recordprofits under the current collective bargaining agreement.At the bargaining table, the union will make it clear to thecompanies that the Teamsters intend to negotiate our fairshare. Teamsters are the ones creating that wealth, so theydeserve to share the wealth.”Members to Receive Surveys SoonUnion Prepares forNational Freight TalksOn a different note, Hoffa said he is hopeful that thenew Democrat-led Congress will benefit Teamster freightmembers. The International Union’s Government AffairsDepartment will continue to work with Congress on thecross-border issue. The union wants to make sure U.S.highways remain safe, and the union wants to protectmembers’ jobs from encroachment from Mexican drivers.This is a safety issue and a jobs issue.www.teamsterslocal25.com | WINTER 2007 | The Spokesman | 11