TEAMSTERS LOCAL728@WORK OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF TEAMSTERS LOCAL 728, ATLANTA, GEORGIA We Can End the War On Georgia th Workers On Tues. November 4 INSIDE President’s Report .................... Pg. 2 UPS Contract Highlights ........... Pg. 3 Teamsters Local 728’s Endorsements for the Nov. 4th General Election — Page 6 Support Local 728 DRIVE .......... Pg. 5 Supporting Candidates in 2014 Who Support Workers ............ Pg. 4-5 Local 728 Divisional Reports .... Pg. 7 Contract Updates ...................... Pg. 8 PRESIDENT’S REPORT Election 2014: Regaining Georgia’s Political Edge For Working Families By Randy Brown W Office (404) 622-0521 Fax (404) 627-2045 EXECUTIVE BOARD President Randy Brown Secretary Treasurer Scott Webber Vice President Chuck Stiles Recording Secretary Jim Higginbotham Union Trustees Rachad Fitzpatrick Billy Brannen J.W. Bugg BUSINESS AGENTS Grady Burrell, Mike Dollar, Matt Higdon, Jim Higginbotham, Tony Lefebvre, Mikal McKenzie, Sandy Stimpson, Eric Thornton, Wes Turner, Scott Webber Eric Robertson, B.A. and Political Director Ben Speight, Organizing Director Choices for A Stronger Future Every election boils down to a choice. I don’t mean just a choice between political parties or candidates, but a choice between priorities, vision and objectives. A choice between moving forward or maintaining what we have now. A chance to change the debate across Georgia from one that constantly attacks workers as the problem to one which invites Georgia workers into the discussions for finding solutions to problems. I believe that Georgia workers, union and non-union, deserve better than what we have right now, and this year’s election is our chance to do what we can to bring about a change for the better. Who do we want making decisions on issues that impact Georgia working families? Workers themselves or the wealthy and big corporations? Who do we want to make crucial decisions on big issues like workers’ rights, quality education, unemployment insurance, health care and retirement security? Us or them? The formula for success is simple: elect pro-worker candidates and we will get a political agenda that puts working families first. Conversely, elect someone who does not have the interests of workers at heart, and we end up with a “war on workers.” All Teamster members, both our veteran members and those who are new to the Teamsters Union, need to understand why we place such a high priority on political and legislative action. Just as successful political action can lead to positive benefits for working men and women, unsuccessful political action can have the opposite result, undermining everything we stand for and weakening our ability to fight for workers’ rights. TEAMSTERSLOCAL728@WORK “ Teamsters, here in Georgia and across the country, have earned a reputation for political toughness. The truth is that we can be very demanding, because we expect that our elected officials actually uphold the many promises they made when they ran for office. We have high expectations from the politicians we support, and do everything we can to monitor decisions they make, especially as it relates to the jobs, rights and benefits of workers. Yes, we do expect much from our elected officials, and Local 728 members, the people we take an oath to serve, expect nothing less. Tough Expectations and Demands for Elected Officials So what do we expect? We expect that when people are elected to office they actually follow-through on the promises they made when they first ran. We expect those who campaign for office claiming to be our friends not to turn their backs on us when it comes to an issue or situation that we care about. We expect politicians will use their influence to improve the quality of life for working families, not pass laws to empower the powerful at the expense of the rest of us. Some politicians complain that we are being too hard on them, making too many demands. When it comes to fighting for working men and women, I strongly disagree. Politicians like to talk about trust, saying we should trust them to do what is right. Do we want to trust politicians who want to strip workers of valuable protections, including the right to a union? Should we trust any politician who proposes cutting unemployment benefits for laid-off workers? Should we trust a politician who advocates weakening unions as a way of strengthening the workplace? Personally, when it comes to the subject of “trust”, I will trust the Teamsters Union, and our hard-working members, to fight for working families before I will blindly trust any politician. I learned a long time ago that trust is earned, not freely given. Politicians have to work hard to gain our trust, and they do that by working with us and supporting issues that benefit Georgia’s working men and women. If elected officials really want our trust, a good place to start is by proving, with actions not words, that they deserve it. Even then Local 728’s political motto will be “trust, but verify.” When it comes to the subject of “trust”, I will trust the Teamsters Union, and our hard-working members, to fight for workers before I will blindly trust any politician “ Published by Teamsters Local 728 2540 Lakewood Ave. SW Atlanta, GA 30315 hether we want to admit it or not, politics, and more directly politicians, are a crucial part of what we do here at Local 728 to represent your interests. Believe me, if there were any way we could avoid the drama and headaches of political action we would. Yet, the fact remains that politicians, at all levels of government, have a direct and powerful impact on our jobs, our union, our families and our future. Decisions that are made by those we elect to public office impact our lives every day. If you and I are not involved, and don’t encourage our family and friends to get involved, then we have no input and whatever decision is made will, undoubtedly, go against the better judgment of what is good for workers. FALL 2014 • PAGE 2 UPS & UPS FREGHT CONTRACT HIGHLIGHTS The new UPS and UPS Freight contracts provide strong wage and benefit increases. In addition, both contracts improve pensions and job security. Below are key highlights of the two contracts. These are only highlights. Please contact Local 728 for a list of all contract changes. UPS CONTRACT ECONOMICS Over the term of the five-year agreement, based on a 46 hour work week with wages compounded from the first general wage increase through the last, a full-time driver will earn over $25,000 more over the course of this new Agreement than they did during the current Agreement. Health Insurance No increase in premiums for health insurance for full-time and part-time employees. UPS Teamsters will continue to receive their health insurance without paying for premiums. Effective 1/1/2014, those in the UPS health insurance plan will move to the Team-Care plan, which is jointly trusteed by employers and the union. Part-time employees will continue to be eligible for health insurance after 12 months. Their dependents will now also be covered after 12 months (down from 18 months). Retiree Health Insurance Retiree health insurance will remain at $200 for retiree and $200 for spouse for the life of the contract. Retiree insurance will be upgraded to include dental and vision effective 1/1/14. Prescription benefits have been enhanced. Dependents are now covered under the retiree plan GENERAL WAGE INCREASES Full-Time Wage increases • Starting August 2013: 70 cents • Starting August 2014: 70 cents • Starting August 2015 70 cents • Starting August 2016 80 cents (to be split with 40 cents on August 1 and 40 cents on February 1) • Starting August 2017 $1.00 (to be split with 50 cents on August 1 and 50 cents on February 1) Those currently in progression will continue with the 36 month progression. Part-Time Wage increases Part-timer will receive the same general wage increases as full-time employees (.70, .70, .70, .80, 1.00 – with the last two years split). The start rate for part-time employees will increase to $11 for preloaders/ sorters and $10 for all others which is an increase of $1.50. Part-timers currently in progression will receive the GWI and make no less than what they would be entitled to after new pay-rates go into effect on August 1, 2013. PENSION For full-time employees in the UPS/IBT pension plan, the following enhancements will be implemented: Effective 1/1/2014: • After 35 years and any age, retirement benefits will be $3,700/month (up from $3,500) • 30 or more years and any age will increase to $3,200/month plus $100/yr of service up to $3700 (up from $3,000) Effective 1/1/2017: • 35 years, any age will be $3,900/ month • 30 years at any age will be $3,400/ month plus $100/yr of service up to $3,900. PENSION - PART-TIME For members in the UPS part-time pension plan, retirement benefits any age after 35 years of service will increase to $2,100 per month (up from $1,925) • After 30 years of service at any age will increase to $1,800 per month (up from $1,650) • After 25 years at 60 years of age increases to $1,500 per month (up from $1,375) • Retirement at any age with 25 years of service increases to $1,250 per month (up from $1,125) The full-time starting wage will increase to $18.75 (it is currently $16.10). Part-timers in the UPS plan will now need to work only 375 hours a year in order to become a participant in the plan. A parttimer must work 750 hours a year in order to receive full vesting credit, but a part-timer will become a participant in the plan after reaching age 21 and completing a 12 month period during which they work 375 hours. Employees entering a package car driving, feeder or other full time job on August 1, 2013 will have a 48 month progression. Wages are retroactive to August 1, 2013. UPS will also begin making retroactive contributions to the health and welfare and pension funds. TEAMSTERSLOCAL728@WORK 22.3 JOBS, ARTICLE 22 • Provides for 2,350 new full-time jobs during the first three years of the contract. • Protects the current 22.3 jobs. UPS FREIGHT • Provides for $2.50 in wage increases during the agreement, making UPS Freight members the highest paid in the industry; • Improves pensions for more than 80 percent of Teamsters, while protecting and maintaining benefits of those at the top wage scale; • Lowers health insurance premiums paid by employees by 10 percent for those in the buy-up plan, while maintaining the benefitlevels. Coverage will now be administered by TeamCare; • Provides strong protections for Road Driver work and jobs; • Provides a solution that will reduce the number of subcontractors; guarantees the number of Road Driver positions at terminals where LHDs are used; makes it easier to convert LHD runs to regular Road Driver runs by considering terminals within 30 miles of each other as one terminal when determining if there is two-way freight; and gives the union the right to reject the creation of any LHD run; • Obligates the company to recall all Road Drivers to full employment within their classification within 90 days of ratification at all terminals where subcontractors are used; • Creates new full-time jobs on the dock; • Provides stronger bumping and seniority rights; • The 10 percent of employees that had no guarantee under the last contract will now get a four-hour guarantee; • Improves vacation benefits for those serving in the military, allowing them to continue to accrue vacation while they are serving our country; and • Significantly reduces monthly cost to retirees for health insurance. FALL 2014 • PAGE 3 Teamster Elections 2014 Supporting Candidates Who Fi E lection 2014 gives working families the opportunity to elect public officials who value workers and will use the power of government to improve the quality of life for them and their children. Local 728 recently announced endorsements in four crucial races that, when successful, will change our state for the better. These include: • Jason Carter for Governor; • Greg Hecht for Attorney General; • Robbin Shipp for Georgia Labor Commissioner; and • Jim Nichols for District 111 State Representative. “Electing these candidates is a top priority this year,” Local 728 President Randy Brown declared. “They all have records of supporting issues important to working families. They have supported us and so we will do everything we can to elect them, and many others, who proudly stand with workers against corporate interests.” Local 728 UPS Steward Campaigns for State Rep. Local 728 is taking special interest in the District 111 State Representative race, where Local 728 UPS Steward Jim Nichols is running to add a Teamster voice to the legislature. “We are excited to support one of our own, Jim Nichols, to represent working families at the State Capitol,” Brown said. “Jim has been on the frontline fighting against the war on workers. He will proudly serve workers as a State Representative.” As the November 4th election nears, Local 728 will distribute a complete endorsement list so members know which candidates the Union believes are best qualified to represent our interests in the battles to come. TEAMSTERSLOCAL728@WORK Jason Carter For Georgia Governor D emocrat Jason Carter, grandson of former President Jimmy Carter, is Local 728’s choice for Georgia Governor this November. Currently a State Senator, Carter has consistently opposed legislation attacking Georgia workers, including the infamour H.B. 714 which eliminated unemployment benefits for educational workers. He also was a vocal opponent of HB 361 which was aimed at weakening unions’ ability to collectively bargain. Both bills were proudly signed into law by current anti-worker Governor Nathan Deal. “It is getting harder and harder for middle-class people in Georgia to make it,” Carter said. “Right now, there are 363,000 Georgians looking for work. Our state ranks 40th in the nation in unemployment. In addition, one out of every four children in Georgia lives in poverty, the sixth worst poverty rate in the country. Middle-class incomes have dropped twice as fast in Georgia as it has in the rest of the country. That’s a real pay cut.” Local 728 proudly supports Jason Carter because he recognizes the need to put working families first to build a stronger future for all Georgians. Greg Hecht For Attorney General C andidate for Georgia Attorney General Greg Hecht is a former district attorney, state representative and state senator. He has the experience we need in Georgia’s top law enforcement official. Hecht is a strong supporter of workers’ rights and is committed to protecting working families. In contrast, current Attorney General Sam Olens has shown a willingness to turn a blind eye to labor law violators, including companies that misclassify employees as independent contractors, thus providing legal cover for efforts to undermine federal protections for workers. Greg Hecht will get tough on corruption, will stand up for consumers and will protect our children. He has what it takes to get the job done. FALL 2014 • PAGE 4 ight for Working Families Robbin Shipp Teamsters Local 728 UPS Steward Jim Nichols Seeks State House Seat For Labor Commissioner G eorgia Labor Commissioner candidate Robbin Shipp, a former state representative, will bring much-needed changes to the Labor Department. As Labor Commissioner, Robbin will support working families by ensuring that all Georgians receive: • A living wage and quality jobs to our state; • Equal pay for equal work; • Transparency in the process for receiving state benefits; • Training and retraining to help Georgia workers compete in the global economy; • A Labor Department that welcomes innovation and works for all Georgians. Robbin is running against current Labor Commissioner Mark Butler. During his first term, Butler cut unemployment benefits for jobless Georgians while eliminating unemployment benefits for educational workers. As our next Labor Commissioner, Robbin will redirect Georgia’s Department of Labor to its intended mission of assisting Georgia workers, not attacking them and their ability to feed and care for their families. Support Teamster DRIVE Big Business spends big money, both here in Georgia and in Washington, D.C., to push their anti-worker scheme. Reports show that corporations outspend working families by a whopping 15-to-1 margin. Local 728 members can fight back by contributing to D.R.I.V.E – the Teamsters’ political action program. Your weekly voluntary contribution will be used to educate members about issues and helps fund candidates who pledge to fight for our rights once they are elected to public office. Sign up today. For more information contact Local 728 Political Director Eric Robertson at (404) 622-0521. TEAMSTERSLOCAL728@WORK U PS Steward Jim Nichols is a proud Local 728 member. A true trade unionist, Jim is a strong fighter for workers’ rights, standing up for the principles of fairness, equality and opportunity which define the labor movement. Jim’s passion for workers sparked him to take on a new challenge, running for public office against Republican State Representative Brian Strickland in Georgia’s District 111. “I’m running for State Representative because I believe every voice matters,” Nichols said. “It is time to build an economy that protects and helps hard-working families and not just those who can afford to cut big campaign checks.” As a preloader at UPS, Nichols wakes up every morning and works hard to earn a paycheck. That is the same level of dedication and commitment he will bring to the legislature as State Representative. Local 728 proudly supports Jim Nichols for State Representative. He will bring his youthful energy, vision and enthusiasm to the legislative process at a time when too many young people believe that their vote doesn’t matter. We need Jim under the gold dome in Atlanta! FALL 2014 • PAGE 5 POLITICS IS UNION BUSINESS Tuesday, November 4th Local 728 urges members to elect candidates who support Georgia’s working families. The candidates listed below are ones facing opposition this year — and need our vote. SUPPORT PRO-WORKER CANDIDATES! Clip out this endorsement list and take it with you to the polls when you vote. Governor United States Senate Lt. Governor United States Congress Jason Carter Connie Stokes Secretary of State Doreen Carter Attorney General Greg Hecht Commissioner of Agriculture Christopher James Irvin Commissioner of Insurance Elizabeth “Liz” Johnson Commissioner of Labor Robbin Shipp State School Superintendent Valarie Wilson TEAMSTERSLOCAL728@WORK Michelle Nunn District 1 Brian Corwin Reese District 2 Sanford Bishop District 7 Thomas Wight District 10 Ken Dious State Senate Dist. 2 .....................Lester Jackson Dist. 6 ....................Antron Johnson Dist. 9 ................... Timothy Swiney Dist. 23 ................... Diane B. Evans Dist. 24 ......... Brenda Joyce Jordan Dist. 28 ............ Cynthia C. Bennett Dist. 29 .....Joshua Robert McKoon Dist. 30 ..................... James Nixon Dist. 35 ..............Donzella J. James Dist. 38 ................Horacena E. Tate Dist. 39 .......................Vincent Ford Dist. 40 ................ Tamara Johnson Dist. 42 .......................Elena Parent Dist. 56 ...................... Akhtar Sadiq State House of Representatives Dist. 18 ....................Patricia Rhudy Dist. 19 .......... Sandra Marie Fuller Dist. 37 ..........................Bill Bolton Dist. 39 .......... Erica Renee Thomas Dist. 40 ............. Erick Eugene Allen Dist. 48 .............James W. Johnson Dist. 50 .....................Paul M. Troop Dist. 54 ...Robert W. “Bob” Gibeling Dist. 55 .................... Tyrone Brooks Dist. 66 ........Kimberly A. Alexander Dist. 73 ......... Mario Demond Driver Dist. 78 ........Demetrius M. Douglas Dist. 81 ...... Michael Scott Holcomb Dist. 83 ........... Howard Alan Mosby Dist. 94 ................Karen L. Bennett Dist. 95 .................. Amreeta Regmi Dist. 105 ............... Renita Hamilton Dist. 110 .........Beverly Kaye Shipley Dist. 111 Jim Nichols, IV Local 728 UPS Member Dist. 112 ....... Bonnie “Patsy” Harris Dist. 114 ................G. Keith Thomas Dist. 125 .............. Earnest G. Smith Dist. 132......... Robert Trammell, Jr. Dist. 137............ Debbie G. Buckner Dist. 144 ...............Joyce E. Denson MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD. MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT! FALL 2014 • PAGE 6 LOCAL 728 DIVISIONAL REPORTS UPS DIVISION By B.A. Jim Higginbotham L ocal 728 UPS Business Agents have been hard at work enforcing the new contract language that is now in effect, especially the language that relates to the rights and jobs of Teamster members. We recently obtained the cover driver report and it indicates that we have several cover drivers going over 156 reports. We are monitoring this situation and as soon as TCDs reach the 156 threshold we advise UPS that a new full-time job must be created with a seniority date of the next day. The 9.5 language which gives package drivers the right to be relieved of excessive overtime has improved protections from retaliation based on the timing and severity of the Company’s actions. All UPS Business Agents have been meeting with members at each center, discussing issues or concerns they may have. This will increase our ability to make sure members are educated about the enhanced rights they have under the new agreement and hold the Company accountable whenever they violate the contract. MOTION PICTURE DIVISION By B.A. Tony Lefebvre G eorgia’s motion picture industry is one of the state’s fastest growing employment sectors. Over the last two years, our industry has seen growth of about 30% each year, and in 2014 the industry had a $5.1 billion economic impact on the State of Georgia. Local 728 currently has 500 members performing transportation duties — moving equipment and talent — for an average of 23 productions that we have going at any given time. Our members have been working on movies and television shows including the third and fourth Hunger Games, the Divergent movie series, the Walking Dead, the Red Band Society television show, Resurrection and Constantine. Georgia has earned a reputation as the “Hollywood of the South.” In fact, if you combine all workers across Georgia who are currently employed in the TV and motion picture industry, 30,000 workers, this makes it our state’s third largest employer. Not only that, but Georgia ranks #3 in the country behind Los Angeles and New York. Given the industry’s growth, we remain optimistic about the future. Local 728 Motion Picture Division members are proud to do our part to make each of these productions the best they can be. I am equally proud to represent each of you who work hard everyday to provide a valuable service to a crucial Georgia industry. FREIGHT DIVISION are not protected when the companies use PTS. We will continue filing grievances to protect as many drivers as possible on each seniority list. Another issue is YRC’s heavy-handed use of the ratified attendance policy. Many grievances have been filed and are ready to be heard once the company runs out of reasons to stall the adjudication of this cases. Organizing drives at Con-Way and FedEx Freight are underway across the country. If you come into contact with a Con-Way or FedEx Freight driver who seems interested in organizing in Georgia, urge them to contact Local 728 Organizing Director Ben Speight at (404) 622-0521. Organizing non-union freight companies is critical to restoring Teamster standards within the freight industry. ORGANIZING UPDATE By Organizing Director Ben Speight L ocal 728 recently won an important organizing victory at Mayfield Dairies, a Division of Dean Foods. The election for drivers and dockworkers at Mayfield’s Decatur and Marietta facilities was held on Friday, August 22nd and workers at both facilities voted “YES” to join Local 728. Decatur members voted yes by a margin of 54% to 45% while Marietta workers voted yes 57% to 43%. The Mayfield Dairy campaign was a strong victory for the workers who stood together against the company’s anti-union push. The employer did everything they could to try and dissuade workers from joining. They used around 20 union busters between the two facilities to monitor workers and spread anti-union propaganda. Management also conducted ride-alongs with workers, held mandatory anti-union meetings, and applied pressure on workers urging them to reject the union. The workers resisted these anti-union tactics and voted to take charge of their workplace by joining the Teamsters. Local 728 was contacted by the workers several times, most recent inquiry took place this past May. Following that contact, we met with the workers over the course of three months, outlining how the union could improve their work and security through a negotiated contract.Thanks to support from the IBT’s Dairy Conference, Local 728 conducted a campaign that addressed key issues such as fair work rules, guaranteed raises, safe and proper equipment and pay for all time worked. As a result of this victory, any Mayfield milk or ice cream product purchased in Metro Atlanta will be delivered by a Local 728 driver. We will soon move forward and begin bargaining a first contract for these new members. We want each of them to know that Local 728 is here for them and will do what we can to enhance their rights and benefits as proud rank-and-file Teamsters. LOCAL 728 ORGANIZING FACTS By B.A. Mike Dollar • Local 728 currently has 7,900 members. ocal 728 is closely monitoring YRC and ABF’S usage of PTS. The use of PTS is conditional on the “protection” of a specific number of workers on the road seniority list. Local 728 has taken issue with the companies over the interpretation of the language and exactly who is protected. The self-destructive position that both companies have put themselves in — obtaining qualified drivers — will continue if their existing drivers • Ten years ago we had a membership of 5,700. L TEAMSTERSLOCAL728@WORK • Local 728’s membership has grown by 39% through aggressive and effective organizing campaigns. • Workers at a variety of companies are calling daily asking what they can do to join Local 728. FALL 2014 • PAGE 7 International Brotherhood of Teamsters Presorted First Class U.S. Postage Paid Atlanta GA Permit #4009 LOCAL 728 2540 Lakewood Ave. SW Atlanta, GA 30315 Address Correction Requested — TEAMSTERS LOCAL 728 — CONTRACT UPDATES L ocal 728 has been busy bargaining first contracts at several companies while working on renewal agreements at others. Below is a list of contract activity over the past several weeks: Stay “Connected” With Local 728 Union Website RENEWAL AGREEMENTS Zep Manufacturing - First Transit - First Student Kipp Lithonia Lighting Members at these companies have voted and ratified renewal contracts this year. All contracts won above-average wage increases as well as key improvements in contract language. FIRST CONTRACTS Iron Mountain (Shredding Division) — Workers at the Shredding Division of Iron Mountain Records management continue to bargain a first contract. They will join their fellow Iron Mountain workers at the company’s hard copy division that have been Teamsters for nearly a decade. MV Transportation/Georgia State University — Members overwhelmingly ratified their first agreement after the company recognized Local 728 through a card check process when they took over the transportation contract at Georgia State. NEW REGIONAL MASTER AGREEMENT ALSCO — Members at Alsco laundry service in Savannah and Albany ratified a new regional master agreement. The contract included raises, controlled health care costs, and a defined benefit pension that replaced their current 401k. In addition, as this newsletter goes to press, Local 728 continues negotiating renewal agreements at Republic Services, First Student Savannah, GES, Ralcorp and Iron Mountain (Hard Copy). Rank-and-file members at each of these employers are doing a fantastic job of standing with their Bargaining Committee to secure an agreement they will be proud to support at ratification time. Stay tuned for more updates about these important negotiations. www.teamsters728.org Log on to our website to receive information on important union news and events seven days a week, 24-hours a day. "Like” us on Facebook to become a member of our Teamster social network fighting for a stronger future for all Georgia working families.
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