Local 600’s Presidential Article July 2013
As the summer is in full swing, there are many hot items happening around Local 600. UPS Freight members have resoundingly rejected the offer of a new National UPS Freight collective bargaining agreement. Many of our members who have expressed concerns with the proposal feel that there are a few issues, such as the newly proposed Linehaul driver language, health care as well as other issues. Vice President Tim Meadows sits on the Teamsters National UPS Freight Negotiating Committee and has been involved in a number of conference calls with all members of the negotiating committee over these issues, yet as of this date no meeting dates have been scheduled to resume negotiations. As information becomes available we will get it to the members immediately.
The members at ABF Freight have just completed voting on a new ABF National Master Freight Agreement. The results show that the National portion of the contract has been ratified, yet the Central Region Supplement, which covers our Local 600 members, has been rejected. Following a discussion with the members of the ABF National Negotiating Committee, they have assured us that they are diligently working on the issues and will soon be setting dates to resume negotiations with ABF Freight Corporation over these issues.
Recording Secretary Dave Eagan and I are continuing negotiations for a first contract with Frac Tech Services for the employees at their Brewer, MO facility. The negotiations have been slow and lengthy but we have been seeing results. I would like to report that this brave group of workers are standing strong with us and we will continue negotiations with this Company until there is an acceptable offer on the table for this group. I hope to report in the near future that this strong group of workers can count themselves as proud Teamsters Local 600 members.
Along with these important negotiations, Business Representative Dave Bruckerhoff, myself and an extremely dedicated and knowledgeable trio of Stewards began negotiations on July 9th with Sabreliner Corporation. As you may have read in past reports, through this Company’s mismanagement and poor performance in decision making, a large number of our members are suffering layoffs due to the Company’s severe decline in acquiring work. A number of negotiating dates have been scheduled and we will keep the members as informed as possible of our progress.
Secretary/Treasurer Scott Gilchrist reports that DHL Express is close to a tentative agreement and that their contract has been extended through July 15, 2013. Scott also reports that he has completed negotiations and ratified several dairy contracts, which include Northstar Distributing, Prairie Farms – St. Louis (formerly Pevely Dairy) and Ice Cream Specialties.
Finally, as the members working at YRC are fully aware, since the implementation date of the YRC Change of Operations on May 19th, there has been a large number of issues; too lengthy to list. I urge all of these members to stay strong, to stand together with the Union and to not allow the deception shown by this Company to divide you. Although it may not be as quickly as you or I would like, together we will overcome YRC’s blatant violations.
To all members, the Executive Board of Teamsters Local 600 hope you and your families enjoy a safe and happy remainder to your summer.