THE ORANGE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (OCTA)
HAS RATIFIED A NEW 3 YEAR CONTRACT
738 MEMBERS VOTED
WHICH IS 67% OF THE OCTA MEMBERSHIP
WITH 1100 MEMBERS
731 BALLOTS COUNTED
696 YES
35 NO
95% APPROVAL OF THE MEMBERSHIP
19 TO 1
OCTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAVE ALSO APPROVED THE TENTATIVE AGREEMENET.
12 comments:
Friday, July 20, 2007
Company and Teamsters Reach Tentative Agreement
Today, Teamster staff called USF Reddaway organizing committee members to report that top USF Reddaway management and union leadership have reached a tentative agreement.
At terminals that have been recognized, a ratification vote will take place.
It seems that if enough drivers and dockmen at Orange sign authorization cards, we'll also be able to vote "yes" or "no" to the tentative deal.
In flyers to be distributed at the gate in Orange next week, more details will be available, especially on how we can get recognition, but here are a few items of interest:
card-check agreement for terminals not yet recognized
$2/hr pension contributions into Teamsters Western Conference Pension Trust (starts at $1/hr for the first year, 50 cent/hr raise for next two years of the three year contract)
workers at union terminals get higher wages than non-union terminals.
Grocery workers reach pact
Agreement between 65,000 workers and Kroger, Supervalu, Safeway could avert strike, lockout.
July 18 2007: 7:31 AM EDT
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -- Grocery workers in Southern California and three major supermarket chains reached a tentative agreement on a new contract, both parties said on Tuesday, ending fears that had loomed for months of a possible strike or lockout.
Nearly 65,000 supermarket workers from Bakersfield to the Mexican border have been negotiating since March with Ralphs, Albertsons and Vons and Pavilions, owned by Kroger Co (Charts, Fortune 500)., Supervalu Inc (Charts, Fortune 500). and Safeway Inc (Charts, Fortune 500)., respectively, through their local unions and a federal mediator
"We are pleased to be able to recommend a contract to our members," said Mike Shimpock, spokesman for the seven local unions of the United Food and Commercial Workers.
"While we cannot go into specific detail until our members have a chance to see and vote on it, we can say that it includes fair wage increases and significantly improves health care benefits."
Fred Smith Whines and Dines in Washington
The legislative battle for FedEx Express to keep its 'express courier' sweetheart clause under the Railway Labor Act is heating up like the Washington summer weather. Fred Smith came before the Senate Finance Committe to talk about Federal Aviation Administration funding. But he didn't just stop there.
The media doesn't report who he dined with, but this Bloomsberg piece makes it clear who he whined to:
FedEx Corp. Chief Executive Officer Fred Smith told U.S. senators it would be ``terrible public policy'' to approve legislation that makes joining unions easier for the delivery company's truck drivers.
``It's a bad thing directed at one company to disadvantage us,'' Smith told a Senate panel today in Washington. ``It's certainly inappropriate, in our opinion, to do this without any public hearing, without any consideration in a public manner.''
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on June 28 approved budget legislation that includes a provision to let drivers for FedEx's Express unit vote locally to join unions rather than having to hold a national election. Smith wants senators to reject the plan in their version of the bill.
The legislation, backed by larger rival United Parcel Service Inc., would let FedEx Express drivers organize under the National Labor Relations Act. Now, because FedEx was founded as an airline, the drivers are under the Railway Labor Act, which also covers aviation workers.
All express drivers should be under the railway-labor act because it lets the U.S. government decide whether companies can lock out workers or employees can strike, Smith told the Senate Finance Committee's finance, energy and infrastructure panel.
FedEx and Fred Smith will pull out all the stops to keep the RLA clause in the pending FAA language. There's going to be a lot of spin and bamboozlement coming from Memphis over the next few months.
-- July 20
This is what its all about people! To be able to take on a company like the OCTA. To fight for what is right and fair. Not just too rollover and take what a company like Fredex is going to give you and hear them say " if don't like it, don't let the door hit you in the a... on the way out!". Fedex was built on the backs of good hard working people like you and me!What about the "The Purple Promise" to the employee's? Fred!
You and the pilots have contracts way not us??????
What is Fred whining about?,he froze the pension fund and still making interest rate on 11.5 billion dollars a year,which eqauls to 690 million dollars just on interest,whoaaaaaaa!
Pure corparate greed,the only thing we are asking for is a fair pension, and retirement medical benefits,and most of all a decent contract.
Now with this ridiculous new pension plan I'am screw thanks Fred!!
Glad to see this reaching the masses. I support the revolution. Fedex is a blemish on all that is good and right in our company, Thank you for your efforts to bring this problem to light,that fedex is slowly taking away your pensions and bonus!
Mr. "Fred Smith": You asked who is being hurt by Fedex existence. The list is too long for a short blog reply, but let's see: many Fedex part timers employees who can't afford a doctor due to inadequate health care, must live below the poverty line, local businesses which understood the community better than a global corporation ever could, environmental pollution.. I could go on. I don't think I need to. You either understand these issues and agree Fedex, as the biggest corparate greed on planet Earth, has a lot to answer for and aggressively work to fix, or you simply refuse to accept the facts and live in a dream world.
UPS Freight Talks Move On To Economics
Union, Company to Resume Negotiations in Indianapolis
July 22, 2007
After reaching agreement in June on nearly a dozen additional articles relating to non-economic working conditions, UPS Freight talks resume the week of July 23 and economic issues are expected to be introduced at the table.
"We look forward to bringing the next phase of bargaining to Indianapolis. We are hopeful that our efforts bring us closer to achieving a contract for the 125 UPS Freight workers there," said Ken Hall, Director of the Teamsters Parcel and Small Package Division and co-chairman of the Teamsters' UPS Freight Negotiating Committee.
"It's been a lengthy process, but we have come to a tentative agreement on many articles dealing with the Indy group's working conditions, and now it's time to focus on wages, pension and health care benefits," said Gordon Sweeton, Assistant Director of the Teamsters National Freight Division who also serves as co-chairman of the committee.
The union intends for the Indianapolis agreement for the drivers and dockworkers represented by Local 135 to serve as a model contract, one that will answer the questions the remaining UPS Freight workers around the country have about joining the Teamsters.
"We know that UPS Freight workers across the country are following these talks with great interest, especially given the recent headlines made when UPS Freight sent letters to their workforce," Hall said. "The Teamsters are remaining focused on what we have to do: deliver a strong contract for Indianapolis that will demonstrate to the entire UPS Freight workforce what kinds of improvements can be made with a union."
An open letter to DOL Secretary Elaine Chao:
Dear Secretary Chao,
I find it highly disturbing that a Cabinet secretary of the United States, let alone the leader of the Department of Labor, which is tasked with protecting worker rights and wellbeing would lie so blatantly and carelessly when it comes to the Employee Free Choice Act.
And what is truly infuriating is that the labor movement helped create the very department you have bastardized into a tool for the corporations it was created to guard against. Today it is clear just how far you are willing to go to protect corporations from workers – instead of the other way around.
I wouldn't be surprised if the anti-union talking points you regurgitated in the Wall Street Journal today were crafted by professional fear mongerer Rick Berman and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. I am surprised that a Cabinet secretary would publicly display her ignorance of our labor laws – both as they are on the books now, and the proposed changes in EFCA.
Here is an example,that if John Mccain wins,you bet your sweet a**
Mr.Fred Smith from Fedex corp would twist labor laws around, as a cabinet secretary,my brothers and sisters it's time to wake up and smell the coffee,lets organize through out the country,and join the Teamsters.
Our grandfathers, grandmothers, fathers & mothers fought hard for the rights we enjoyed at work and I'll be damned if I'll sit by and watch Fedex don't get what they deserve,keep fighting for your rights Fedex,we are right behind you in supporting you guys.
Fedex employees and the Teamsters are willing to stand for its values even when it's alone. When 100 people are pulling on that rope, it's easier than with 10 people."
Whether you go the extra mile to help other workers win a voice at work, take time out from their busy schedules to get out there and educate them or take the initiative to improve their workplaces, neighborhoods and communities, our commitee members are the heart of the labor movement.
"TEAMSTER POWER"
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