Author: Joint Council 7

Keeping health care prices down—another good example of why Teamsters do politics

July 24, 2018
Political Director's Report

For the fifth year in a row, the availability and affordability of health care topped the list of concerns in a nationwide Gallup poll conducted in May.  Health care ranked higher on the list than crime and violence, the economy, unemployment, the quality of the environment, and many other issues.

This should be no surprise to any Teamster.  The rising cost of healthcare is front-and-center in every contract we negotiate, eating away at money we could otherwise put into raises and our pensions.

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Making gains in another busy year

President's Report

By Dave Hawley —

It’s hard to believe we are already more than halfway through 2018. The last few months, in particular, have been wild. Here’s a quick update.

Primary Elections

We spent the spring planning and holding meetings and conference calls to develop our endorsements for the June primaries. Being my first go-around as President, I did not realize the time and effort required by so many of our Principal Officers,

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Kyle Jump – Certified Grocers/Unified Grocers/SuperValu (Local 439)

June 14, 2018
Local 439, Member Profiles

Kyle Jump started working at Certified Grocers in 1983. After many years, that company became Unified Grocers and, about a year ago, was bought up by SuperValu. Kyle’s dad worked at Certified and Kyle followed him into the warehouse. When Kyle started there, he got a job at the bottom, working as an order selector. Since then, he says he’s done every job, most recently working as a forklift driver. “The work is great. But what’s best is the friends I’ve made,

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The importance of Aftercare

June 10, 2018
TAP/TARP

Alcohol and drug addiction is a complex, demanding and frustrating chronic condition, but effective treatment can help to improve the lives of people who struggle with it. Addiction treatment is not a process that ends after an initial treatment program. Taking steps to live an alcohol- and drug-free lifestyle is a long-term commitment. The process can include a wide variety of treatment options and supports. As part of the continuum of care, the Aftercare component is a vital part of overall long-term recovery.

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Alicia Flores – UC Berkeley Labor Center (Local 2010)

June 8, 2018
Local 2010, Member Profiles

Alicia Flores not only works as a Program Coordinator for the UC Berkeley Labor Center, she is also a steward and chapter coordinator for Local 2010.

Her work is varied and exciting. In addition to coordinating the leadership development program for union and community organization staff and members that offers a series of seminars and multi-day programs throughout the year, she also runs the Labor Summer Internship Program. Twenty-five students will get trained in the basics of unions and then they’ll be assigned to work for eight weeks out in the field with unions and community organizations;

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Janus v. AFSCME Supreme Court decision could weaken unions

June 6, 2018
President's Report

By Dave Hawley —

Janus v. AFSCME is a case currently before the Supreme Court that may have a significant impact on the power of unions. In my view, this case is an effort by powerful corporate interests to outlaw “fair share” for public employees, allowing some public employees to become “free riders,” not obligated to pay any dues.

Under current law, public employees are not required to join the union,

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The case that has all of Silicon Valley shaking in its boots

June 5, 2018
Legal Update

The California Supreme Court issued a crushing blow to the “gig economy” in a late-April ruling.  In Dynamex Operations West v. Lee, the Court imposed a standard that will make it much harder for employers to escape state employment standards by calling their workers “independent contractors” when there is little to nothing “independent” about their work.

Dynamex is a nationwide package and document delivery company (for Home Depot and Office Depot among others),

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Concord UPSer saves man from burning mobile home

Local 315, Teamster News
Secretary-Treasurer Don E. Garcia (right) and Business Agent Nick Berry (left) thank Jesse Gregory for his heroism.

Jesse Gregory, a recently promoted service provider, was reaching a delivery stop along his route in December when he spotted white smoke wafting from a mobile park. Gregory observed the smoke worsening as it turned black. The UPSer pulled over his truck, threw on his hazard lights, and pulled in his mirror to further investigate the scene. He then started to hear a woman shouting in Spanish.

As he approached the park, Jesse realized that a motor home was on fire.

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Workers protest for campus safety and fair wages at CSU

Local 2010, Teamster News

Hundreds of skilled trades workers across the California State University system held protests on January 23, to call attention to the threats to students caused by years of neglect of campus facilities.

CSU has accumulated a $2+ billion backlog of neglected repairs and maintenance work, which continues to grow by $143 million a year.

“CSU raises tuition, but fails to invest in student safety and the safety of the workers who make the university run,” said Jason Rabinowitz,

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