243 JAN-FEB 2013 - Teamsters Local 243

Teamsters Local
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MIRROR
243
Vol. 50 No. 1 — Jan/Feb, 2013
Reflecting Teamsters In Action
www.teamsters243.org
USPS 317- 020
Local 243 Participates In Educational Forum
Teamster Officials Learn About
Michigan’s Right-To-Work Law
M
ichigan’s new right-to-work law
will change the landscape of
Michigan and offer new challenges and opportunities for Michigan Teamsters, and all Unions, in the future.
However, Teamsters are determined to make
sure that this law, rushed through during the
lame-duck legislature right before Christmas,
will not impact our efforts to fight for, and
strongly represent, rank-and-file members.
Helping Local Unions understand this law,
Michigan Teamsters Joint Council #43 conducted a right-to-work seminar on Saturday,
January 12th. Local 243 Officers and Business
Agents joined with Local Union officials from
across Michigan eager to learn the long-term
impact of this legislation.
New Law Will Not Impact Services
“Passage of right-to-work is a betrayal to the
people of Michigan, to our democracy and
to working families who believe in equality
on the job,” Local 243 President Jim “Cinci”
Cianciolo said. “The fact that it was passed
during a lame-duck session, and rushed to the
governor for his signature, says much about the
real intent of those behind this legislation.”
What right-to-work will mean was answered
by attorney Sam McKnight, who explained
details of the new law. In addition, Teamster
officials shared their experience with right-towork and how their Local Union dealt with it.
This included IBT Central Region Vice President Brian Buhle, retired Eastern Region Vice
President Jack Cipriani, Executive Assistant to
the IBT General President W.C. Smith, and
Southern Region Vice President Ken Wood.
The next phase of this program will involve
training for Local Union Stewards. Local 243
Stewards will be an essential component of our
educational effort to make sure Local Unions
are not impacted, and that members continue
receiving the quality services they expect.
Teamster Local Union Officers
and Business Agents from
across Michigan attended the
January 12th seminar to learn
how Michigan’ right-to-work
law will impact Local Unions
and union members.
(RIGHT) Local 243 Executive Board
Officers added their voices and input
to the discussion about how Michigan
Teamsters will not allow this new law
to interfere with their commitment to
first-class member services
President Jim Cianciolo Sworn In As
Joint Council #43 Secretary-Treasurer
When IBT President Jim Hoffa swore in Local 1038 President Greg Nowak as President of Michigan Teamsters Joint
Council #43, this resulted in other changes to the J.C. #43 Board, including making Local 243 President Jim “Cinci”
Cianciolo J.C. #43 Secretary-Treasurer. Pictured (left to right) is the current J.C. #43 Board: Trustee Steve Nobles,
Trustee Paul Kozicki, Recording Secretary Mike Parker, IBT President Jim Hoffa, Vice President Ron Holzgen, President
Greg Nowak, Secretary-Treasurer Jim Cianciolo, Health Care Advisor Nina Bugbee and Trustee Kevin Moore.
PReport
resident’s
BY J IM “C INCI ” C IANCIOLO
The Mirror Celebrates 50 Years of
Effective Member Communication
T
his issue of the Local 243 Mirror marks
a milestone in that it signals 50 years
of direct communication between the
Union and the rank-and-file membership.
Back in 1963, in an effort to build stronger bridges
of communication with the membership, Local 243
started a newsletter, one of the first Local Unions in
Michigan to do so. Today, a half century later, the
Mirror stands as a premier education and communication tool with our membership.
Communication is essential to the unity, strength
and growth of our Union not just for today, but for
the future. Over the 70 years that Local 243 has
been representing workers in Michigan, the Union
has worked diligently to enhance communication,
including making use of modern technologies to
help spread the word about our Union. We understand that if we do not communicate our message,
then the enemies of workers will communicate our
message their way — one that will most definitely
paint Unions in a negative light.
Local 243 Will Continue Telling
the Positive Stories About Unions
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MARCH 2013
3rd.........Sunday ...... Sears .................... 9:00 a.m.
3rd.........Sunday ...... Movers ................10:00 a.m.
3rd.........Sunday ...... Republic Parking.. 11:00 a.m.
10th .......Sunday ...... UPS....................... 9:00 a.m.
APRIL 2013
25th .......Thursday ... Gen Membership....7:00 p.m.
MAY 2013
5th .........Sunday ...... UPS....................... 9:00 a.m.
19th .......Sunday ...... Sears .................... 9:00 a.m.
19th .......Sunday ...... Movers ................10:00 a.m.
30th.......Thursday ... Gen Membership....7:00 p.m.
Teamsters
Local
243
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243
MIRROR
Reflecting Teamsters In Action
EXECUTIVE BOARD
JIM CIANCIOLO
President & Business Representative
TOM WELDON
Vice President & Business Representative
GREGORY J. LOWRAN
Secretary-Treasurer &
Business Representative
Will Right-to-Work Lead To Further
Economic Decline In Michigan?
LYNN GUZMAN
The study also found that the lower wages and
economic insecurity of workers in “right-to-work”
states could make business less inclined to relocate
because of declining tax revenues and consumer
demand. Say what you will about Unions, but the
fact remains that a stable and satisfied workforce is
essential to new job growth and helping encourage
new businesses to locate here in Michigan. Important facts that right-to-work advocates conveniently
overlook or ignore as they fight against Unions.
Studies like this, and a comparison of employment
rates and wages between “right-to-work” states and
non-“right-to-work” states, shows that it is highly
unlikely that Michigan will reap any rewards from
the new law. Instead, this law represents a step
backward that Michigan cannot afford. Instead of
focusing on issues that matter — jobs, infrastructure improvements, tax reform, health care reform,
pension security, health and safety and other issues
to improve the quality of life for workers — some
politicians are more content to put politics before
the people, as this right-to-work law proves.
So as Michigan joins the minority of states with a
right-to-work law, our work continues. Teamsters
have fought back against attacks in the past, and
we will do it again. This law will not stop us from
moving forward and continuing the battle for better
wages, benefits and job security for working families.
Those who oppose Unions believe they have won,
but Local 243 is 100 percent committed to proving
them wrong, once again!
Trustee & Business Representative
Recording Secretary
RICK OLIVER
DAVID BAILEY
Trustee
JOHN LOTT
Trustee
DOUG ROBINSON
Business Representative
Local 243’s Mirror is published
bi-monthly by Teamsters Local 243,
39420 Schoolcraft Road,
Plymouth Twp., MI 48170
Periodical postage paid
at Detroit, MI 48233.
Postmaster: Send address changes
to Local 243’s Mirror, 39420 Schoolcraft,
Plymouth Township, Michigan 48170
Local 243
Voice Mail
(734) 420-6900
Officers/Business Agents
Jim Cianciolo .................... Ext. #103
Tom Weldon ..................... Ext. #105
Gregory J. Lowran ........... Ext. #104
Rick Oliver ........................ Ext. #106
Doug Robinson ................ Ext. #107
Local 243 Office Staff
Christine Millhorn
(Secretary) ........................ Ext. #100
Mary Jo Frendo
(Union Dues) .................... Ext. #102
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Unions have a terrific story to tell. A story about
how ordinary working men and women banded
together to overcome enormous odds and bring positive changes to the workplace. A story about how
workers, in unison, can improve their quality of life
through the power of collective bargaining. A story
about how Unions, through the power of our experience, can negotiate strong contracts, secure quality
wages, health care and pensions for members, and
fight workplace injustice to make sure members’
rights and dignity are protected.
The story of Unions, and the power and influence
we bring to the workplace, will continue even as
Michigan transitions into a right-to-work state. The
law, which will change Michigan’s perspective as it
relates to Unions, will never alter our perspective
as a fighter for workers and a protector of fairness.
The law will not change the way we represent our
members, at the bargaining table, in the grievance
process or on the picketline. It will never take away
our determination to stand up and hold employers
accountable for their actions. Those who support
right-to-work think this law will be the beginning of
the end for unions. I disagree, and instead
believe it will mark a new beginning in
our never-ending campaign to support the rights
and interests of the membership.
Communication also means informing people
about laws, issues and events which attempt to
undermine or weaken the power of workers. Such
is the case with Michigan’s new right-to-work law.
Right-to-work may benefit big business and those
seeking to strip power from workers, but it does
nothing to strengthen the hand of workers at all. A
2011 study found that “right-to-work” laws have not
positively impacted job growth. One part of the
study examined the economic climate in Oklahoma
after the 2001 passage of “right-to-work.” The study
found that unemployment doubled in Oklahoma and
new business arrivals had actually declined. Is that
a model for Michigan’s revival?
Upcoming Meetings
TE AMSTERS LOC AL 243 MIRROR • JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 2013
NEWS NOTES
243
Dearborn Moving, Frisbie Moving
& Storage and Imlach Movers Take
Contract Demands
M
embers at Dearborn Moving, Frisbie Moving and Storage and
Imlach Movers met recently to compile demands for their
upcoming contract negotiations.
As has been the case in recent negotiations, health and welfare will
undoubtedly be the major issues in these talks. Stay tuned for updates.
RS Electronics Bargaining Continues
N
egotiations have commenced at RS Electronics. After exchanging
proposals, it is clear that the attacks on workers continues.
Major issues for Local 243 in these talks include health and welfare.
Meanwhile, the Company wants to eliminate the Teamster health plan,
create production standards, modify funeral leave, vacations, sick days
and holidays, and eliminate the 40-hour per week guarantee.
Given these proposals, it did not take long for us to see the impact that
right-to-work will have on workers as they bargain for a better future.
Republic Parking Negotiations
A
s this issue of the Mirror goes to press, contract talks are scheduled to begin at Republic Parking once the results of the living
wage study are published. We will keep you informed.
Scholarships
2013
James R. Hoffa
Scholarship
Each year, the Scholarship Fund awards scholarships to outstanding high school seniors who comply with the following eligibility
criteria. Each applicant must:
1. Be the son, daughter or grandchild of an active, retired, disabled,
deceased or laid-off Teamster member who has or had at least twelve
months of consecutive membership in good standing in the Teamsters
Union;
2. Be in his/her last year of high school and may not apply if he/she has
already graduated from high school;
3. Be in the top 15% of his/her high school class;
4. Plan to submit excellent SAT or ACT scores for evaluation;
5. Plan to attend an accredited four-year college or university. Those
attending non-academic or certificate programs or
community college, may not apply.
Applications are available at the IBT’s website:
www.teamster.org/content/scholarships
APPLICATION DEADLINE — March 31, 2013
UPS
Contract Update
A
s the Teamsters Union and UPS continue hammering out
details of a new contract, IBT Secretary-Treasurer, and
Chief UPS Negotiator, Ken Hall said that the National
Negotiating Committee had made a lot of progress at the bargaining table on issues including SurePost, 9.5, staffing levels and enforcement. We are also addressing full-time jobs, cover drivers and
strengthening pensions.
However, UPS dropped a bomb at the bargaining table recently
when an outrageous and unacceptable proposal that would require
all UPS part-time and full-time workers to pay for health insurance.
The Company’s proposal would cost both full-timers and part-timers with family coverage $90/week. For full-timers, that’s $2.25 an
hour in the first year, while part-timers would have $5.14 an hour.
The cost would rise 10 percent each subsequent year of the contract.
By the end of the contract, UPS members would be paying nearly
$7,000 more per year for health care, or over $130/week. That
amounts to $3.32/hour for full-timers and $7.53/hour for part-timers. Over the life of the agreement, it would cost our UPS members
nearly $30,000. For those members in Company plans, UPS’ proposal also makes drastic cuts in benefits.
“Let me be clear on this proposal,” Secretary-Treasurer Hall said.
“It is dead on arrival. We are not going to pay $90, or $9, or 9
cents. That is the unanimous position of the National Negotiating
Committee. We will pay nothing.”
UPS made a record $4.389 billion in profits last year on the backs
of Teamster members. It is unacceptable that one of our country’s
richest companies is going after our members’ health care.
UPS is going to start working on our members, trying to negotiate
numbers with them. We need to be incredibly clear that there is no
negotiating on this issue. Teamsters are committed that they will
not pay one penny for health care.
“With 250,000 UPS Teamsters, we have strength in numbers,”
Hall declared. “Therefore, I am calling on all UPS Local Unions to
help me get our members involved and show the company that we
are unified in these negotiations.”
ROBERT HOLMES SCHOLARSHIP
The Robert Holmes Scholarship Fund is taking applications for children of
Teamsters interested in
participating for 2013. Up to
six scholarships of $1,000
will be awarded to students
entering college as a freshman in the fall of 2013.
For an application form, go to www.cfsem.org.
Once there, click on: grants...how to apply...scholarships...Robert Holmes Scholarship.
APPLICATION DEADLINE IS APRIL 1, 2013.
For additional information, contact the Community Foundation
for Southeast Michigan, 333 West Fort, Suite 2010, Detroit, Michigan 48226. Or call them at (313) 961-6675.
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TE AMSTERS LOC AL 243 MIRROR • JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 2013
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Teamsters 243
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International Brotherhood of Teamsters
Periodical
postage
paid at
Detroit, MI
48233
LOCAL 243
39420 Schoolcraft Rd.
Plymouth Twp., MI 48170 (734) 420-6900
www.teamsters243.org
‘HOT LINE’
For Legal Services
Secretary-Treasurer’s
UPDATE
Local 243 provides Legal Service in workers’ compensation,
personal injury, product liability and other legal matters.
Call attorney Marshall Lasser
(248)
647-7722
Inform the operator you are a member of Teamsters Local 243
Financial Services
HOTLINE
For help with Investment and Insurance Decisions call
Ted Lakkides CFP (248) 673-2900
Cygnet Financial Freedom House
A union company serving union members since 1982
Securities offered Through Triad Advisors, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC
Get A Withdrawal Card
When You Leave Your Job
Be sure you request a withdrawal card when being laid-off, going on
leave of absence, lengthy medical leave, or terminating your employment.
The charge for a withdrawal card is still only 50¢ but all initiation fees and
back dues must be paid before the withdrawal card is issued.
Stop by the office, or complete the form and mail it to our office along
with your check or money order for 50¢. It is your responsibility to obtain
a Withdrawal Card so please take care of it as soon as possible after
leaving the company, so that you will not be obligated to pay extra dues.
Failure to request a Withdrawal Card may cause you to pay back dues.
In accordance with Article XVIII, Section 6(i) of the IBT Constitution, “it
shall be compulsory for any active member on withdrawal card to deposit
his withdrawal card immediately upon return to employment at the craft.”
Mail to:
TEAMSTERS LOCAL 243
39420 Schoolcraft Road
Plymouth Twp., MI 48170
ENCLOSE 50¢ CHECK,
MONEY ORDER OR COIN.
WITHDRAWAL CARD REQUEST
Name ____________________________________________
Social Security Number _________________________________
Phone Number (
) ________________________________
Address __________________________________________
City _____________________State _______Zip___________
My Last Day of Work ___________________________________
Name of Employer ____________________________________
Reason for Requesting Withdrawal Card _______________________
(quit, laid off, terminated, workers’ comp etc.)
Signature___________________________________________
Date ______________________________________________
B Y G REGORY J. L OWRAN
Right-to-Work Will Not Deter Us From
Providing First-Class Union Sevices
F
ive years ago, in this very column, I discussed the plan by
some state lawmakers to pass
a right-to-work bill in Michigan. At that time, I called their effort
little more than a scheme to weaken the
strength of workers, undermine the ability
of unions to work for positive changes,
and bolster power for big employers at our
expense. Today, five years later, Michigan
has now officially become a right-to-work
state, and, as a result, I predict that big
business and their hand-picked anti-worker
politicians will begin targeting workers’
rights and benefits like never before.
Unions Give Workers Strength
No matter what the anti-union crowd
says, Unions continue making a positive
difference in the workplace. In fact, the
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports
that Union workers consistently have
an advantage when it comes to earning
power, something we all want more of in
this economy. According to research data,
Union members enjoy an advantage of
28% more for wages, and nearly 44% more
for total compensation (wages and benefits). Forget the anti-union propaganda,
the truth is that Unions help working families where it matters most: the pocketbook.
Those lame-duck lawmakers who pushed
the right-to-work bill through without
debate have done nothing to help working families. In fact, if you want to talk
finances, the 23 other states that adopted
a right-to-work law have lower standards
of living than Michigan does, and workers
have less health care and reduced rights
than in other states. To those who want to
weaken Unions, right-to-work makes perfect sense. However, to those of us who
want lawmakers to address issues like jobs,
health care, pension reform and others,
the law is purely a political move. Besides,
just because workers in foreign countries
(with no unions, no wage and hour laws
and no safety regulations) earn pennies for
their labor, does this mean we should do
the same to “compete?”
A Commitment to Union Service
Everyone wants to work, and I believe
that everyone has the right to a job. But
right-to-work is not about rights, and does
nothing to create jobs. It simply means
workers who are in a unionized workplace
can refuse to pay dues and still receive the
same level of benefits and protection as
those who pay them. Is that fair?
This is very clearly an effort to defund
Unions and weaken our ability to properly
represent members. Their scheme will
fail, because Teamsters understand that
dues dollars go a long way to help negotiate
strong contracts, enforce those contracts,
fight against employer injustice through
the grievance procedure and give workers
a voice in the workplace.
Right-to-work may change Michigan,
but it will not change our determination to
fight for members. Count on it!