Lights It Up Blue For Autism - Teamsters Local 25

Business AgentDedicated to Our Local Union MembersVice-President and Business AgentJohn MurphyContract negotiations at MassDOT/Tobin Bridge with the State TransportationDivision are ongoing. We have mettwo times, and are still in the early stages. Iam also in discussions with the state aboutthe dental plan for our former Massportmembers who worked at the Tobin Bridge. They were in the Massportplan, and the state would reimburse the cost to Massport. Neitherside wants to continue that arrangement.We have taken some proposals for the upcoming UPS Freightclerical negotiations, and President O’Brien or I will report on thisas we get closer to the dates. Also, Gate Gourmet negotiations arescheduled for next month.In the Freight Division, I just got back from the YRC change-ofoperationmeeting held in Kansas City. We will lose six road jobs,two to follow the work to Maybrook, New York, and four to poolbidding. The follow-the-work bid went up March 16, and camedown on March 23. The phone bid for the pool bid was on April 1and was implemented on April 8. At press time, we still don’t have adecision on the vacation grievance.I would also like to report on a regulatory update on ObstructiveSleep Apnea. Studies show that drivers who have sleep apneaare more than twice as likely as others to have a crash. A driverwill be disqualified immediately if he or she admits to experiencingexcessive sleepiness during the major wake period while driving,or has an accident associated with falling asleep, or has beenfound non-compliant with treatment. I have copies of the reportfor those who would like one.At DHL, the National DHL Committee is meeting with thecompany in May for preliminary discussions on upcoming negotiations.I would like to have a proposal meeting sometime in May.Also, Article 21 of the DHL Master, and Article 33 of the AEI agreement,which is the cost-of-living section, did not kick in, so therewill be no COLA this year.In the Airline Division, the United/Continental Mechanics IntegrationCommittee is still working hard to put the contracts together. It willtake some time, and as they move forward we will keep ourUnited/Continental mechanics informed on the integration.And as always don’t forget the Credit Union, run by Teamstersfor Teamsters.Business AgentGeorge SlicisIn my last report I spoke on Bird Roofing(CertainTeed) out of Norwood.I’m proud to say we have been victoriousin our strike and the membersretained their Teamsters health and welfareplan and didn’t have to cave to a lessercompany plan. Seven weeks of striking during the winter and the holidaysdidn’t damper the spirits of the employees. They were proud ofPresident O’Brien and his leadership, but most of all proud of the supportfrom other Teamsters who were there during these tough times.The Teamster Horsemen’s new members from Local 82 kept theBird Roofing workers’ spirits high, as did UPS employees. RetireesBilly Grubbs and Rick Anderson, Steve Sullivan, and agents and officers,were there daily for this fight. This would not have been a victorywithout the members and stewards from Bird (CertainTeed).In other business, Whidden Hospital negotiations are completed.We ratified a new two-year contract for 11 new members atWhidden Hospital (Cambridge Health Alliance). These were tough,long negotiations but we got it done and I look forward to gettingthe next one done.Business AgentTom MariWe have started negotiations with thetrade show industry companies and hadnumerous dates prior to April 1. Also inthis industry we are creating a referral systemthat will give members back theirseniority for years of service at the tradeshows. The biggest issue I see in this industry is the hiring of spareswhich has been plagued by company favoritism and back-door dealswhich we are committed to changing with this referral system.I have been spending the majority of my time at the Boston Conventionand Exhibit Center getting to know the members and alsopolicing the current agreements. There are issues that have beenunresolved for many years and with the help of the vigilant stewardswe are chipping away at the issues on a daily basis.I have completed proposals for Boston Sand and Gravel and2 | The SPOKESMAN | SPRING 2012 | www.teamsterslocal25.com