Larry R. Griffith, Secretary-Treasurer: I would like to thank all of our members for their participation in our general membership meetings. We appreciate you getting involved in your union.

            Our first City of North Las Vegas Steward Seminar was held on March 4. There was a great turn-out with 35 stewards attending. It was an informative seminar that educated our new shop stewards and re-educated our seasoned shop stewards. These are difficult times and any education that anyone can achieve is good.

            The following contracts are currently in the process of negotiations: Harmony Health, G&K Services, Anderson Dairy, Mission Industries (reopening),Brady Industries, Albertsons, and Las Vegas Valley Water District.

             Letters have been received from many public sector entities for concession agreements based on the decline in revenues. They are the City of Boulder City, City of North Las Vegas, City of Henderson, Las Vegas/Clark County Library District, and the City of Mesquite. This Local will inform all members from their specific entities of any meetings and any progress from now forward because at the end of this process, you, the members will vote on any negotiated concession agreement.

            We have officially kicked off the long-awaited organizing campaign for the Clark County School District Support Staff. The International has sent Jason Gateley, IBT Organizer to our Local to lead the campaign. We welcome any volunteers to assist with the campaign. If you know family members, neighbors or friends who work for the Clark County School District Support Staff and would like to be part of this organizing campaign, please have them contact our Organizing Department at 384-7841, Ext. 25.

            We would like to welcome two new employees to our growing Local Union. Rick Chapman was appointed as a new business agent. He brings his expertise after working for 24 years as a teamster member/employee at Southern Wine & Spirits. Aracely Estrada is the first person that you would see at the Union’s front office. She is from Mission Industries and brings her Human Resources experience to our Local. Aracely is our first Spanish-speaking person and we now have someone to help our 35% of Hispanic speaking members. As a reminder, we now have a representative of our Insurance Administrator who comes to our office on the last Wednesday of every month from 1p.m. to 4 p.m. to assist members and spouses with claims, and any health and welfare issues.

            Al Ghilarducci, Business Agent: We have on-going negotiations with G&K Services, Farmer Brother Coffee and Seven-Up.

            On March 7, we held wage deferment meetings for Wirtz Beverage, Southern Wine & Spirits, and Coca-Cola Bottling Company. We have also held the first contract proposal meeting for U.S. Foods. Please check bulletin boards for upcoming meetings.

            We will begin contract proposal meetings for Southern Wine & Spirits and Wirtz Beverage. Stewards have informed me that they will begin having meetings prior to the proposal meetings.

            Congratulations to the following two Johnson Brothers employees on the birth of their children: Mark Reedy and his wife Amy have a new baby girl, Kylie, born on February 22, 2010; and Leo Garcia and his wife Mabel have a new baby boy, Sean Brandon, born on February 4, 2010.

            Lastly, please notify the union hall if you have an address change. Ask your stewards and business agent for address change forms.

Teamsters Local 14 has received the long awaited decision from the supreme court to go forward on the campaign for the organizing that began in 1998.

We have started the campaign and have set up offices dedicated to this campaign. Should anyone know any any school district employees, neighbors, friends, anyone willing and able to assist us with information, please contact Jason Gately  at (702) 384-7841 extension 25.

Inforamtional Meeting Regarding contract Negotations

on Saturday MArch 13 @ 8:00 am. in the conference room upstairs.

            I would like to thank and acknowledge all of the Teamsters 14 members for the faith and confidence that you have bestowed upon your new Executive Board. We are going forward into a new year with many contract openings and talks of concession agreements. We will continue to keep you with up-to-date news on union issues. Just know that behind the scene, we all are working diligently to get you, our members the best possible contracts and to make this union even better than before. I would like to introduce the new Executive Board: Larry Griffith, Secretary-Treasurer, Principal Officer, Business Agent; Al Ghilarducci, President, Business Agent; Steve Harney, Vice President, Director of Operations, Business Agent; DeAnn McDaniel, Recording Secretary, City of Henderson Shop Steward; Phil Lombardi, Trustee, City of North Las Vegas Shop Steward; Larry Lacovara, Trustee, Anderson Dairy, Shop Steward, and Brian Phillips, Trustee, Southern Wine & Spirits Shop Steward.

            Steve Harney has taken charge of the duties as business agent at the City of North Las Vegas and we are sending weekly email updates to our members. Please email this office at jwallace@teamsters14.com if you have not received emails so we can have your email address for receiving current news from Local 14.

            Phil Nelson, a former Trustee on the Executive Board for Local 14 has come out of retirement to be a member of our team. He is now Business Agent for the City of Boulder City, Las Vegas Valley Water District, Las Vegas Clark County Library District, IATSE- Clerical Unit, and Interstate Brands Corporation. Phil brings with him in his new position as Business Agent a lot of experience and knowledge.

            Julie Wallace, Executive Secretary with six years of  experience as a legal assistant at Mission Industries. She has worked in contract negotiations with a vast majority of other labor unions. In February, we are planning  to have field representatives from Zenith Administrators, our health and welfare fund, and Southwest Administrators, WCT  Pension Fund available at our office for the convenience of our members in assisting with pension applications and health and welfare questions. Notices of exact dates and time will be forthcoming. Our 6th Annual Shop Steward Appreciation event is being planned for sometime in early April and as time draws closer, invitations will be forthcoming.

            Al Ghilarducci, President, Business Agent:  Contract negotiations are continuing with Farmer Brothers Coffee Company. There have been ten meetings to date and two more dates are scheduled. Negotiations are slow and we anticipate several more dates to be scheduled. We have a signed extension agreement in place. We met with G&K Services for two sets of negotiating meetings and have set dates to meet on February 9 and 10. We have signed an extension agreement with management. A contract proposal meeting with Seven-Up was held on Sunday, January 17, 2010 and we are scheduling future negotiation meetings with management. I will be attending the Brewery and Soft Drink Conference on February 14 through 18. Congratulations to Ed Rapalo of Kelley Fleet Services and his wife Cynthia who gave birth to their son, Leeland Thomas on December 22, 2009. Brian Beven, long time member from Nevada Beverage was injured in an automobile accident and is off work indefinitely. We wish him a speedy recovery. John Gonzales of Nevada Beverage has a new addition to his family. His wife, Tracey gave birth to their son, Justin Charles on January 14, 2010. Congratulations to Mitch Rose of Southern Wine and Spirits who has retired after 25 years of service. He will be missed by all.

Please note:

The Teamster 14 memebrs voted to elect the following for the term of office effective January 1st, 2010 until December 31, 2012.

• Larry R Griffith-Secretary-Treasurer
• Al Ghilarducci-President
• Steve Harney- Vice President
• DeAnn McDaniel-Recording Secretary
• Philip Lombardi-Trustee
• Larry Lacavara-Trustee
• Brian Phillips -Trustee

Dear Teamster Brothers and Sisters:

As union members and community leaders, we have a long tradition in making the community a great place in which to live, to work, to raise children, and to retire. It is because of this tradition that the working relationship between organized labor and United Way has lasted for more than sixty years.

Locally, United Way of Southern Nevada partners with ULAN (United Labor Agency of Nevada) which provides programs that help union members and their families. Aside from partnering with ULAN, United Way of Southern Nevada is a major funder of ULAN.

During these challenging times we are asking that you consider helping our community through United Way’s campaign. By doing so, your generosity and the generosity of thousands of other union members like you will help to provide ongoing health and human care services for your union brothers and sisters and our community as a whole.

Please join us in supporting the 2009 United Way campaign where you work. Together we can help those in need and create positive changes for our community.

We encourage all members to get involved in our continuing fight, please contact your senator :

Send a letter: Sample

Dear Senator:

I iurge you to support the employee Free Choice Act protecting the rights of workers across our nation to establish and participate in a union wothout harrassment or imtimidation from employers. It is important it is for workers to be able to form unions in order to guarantee a decent standard of living, affordable health insurance, and a safe workplace. It is time to grant working families the basic freedom and protections they need by supporting the passage of the Employee Free chocie Act. I encourgae you to you to co-sponsor  and cast your vote in favor of the Employee Free Choice Act.

Sincerely,

________

Your Name Here and fax this to your Senatro, Call the the Sentate Switchboard: (202) 224-3121.

A listing of availible Urgent Care and Minute Clinic Locations and Hours of Operation are available in the Benefits Section of this website - click the Benefits link to the left.

Hoffa Meets With Workers in Eastern Pennsylvania

(Scranton, Pa.) – Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa kicked off the union’s three-day “Working Class Convoy For Change” by meeting with workers in Eastern Pennsylvania to discuss how to keep good jobs in the state and why the Teamsters are against free trade agreements that hurt the U.S. Economy.

Hoffa also spoke on other issues affecting America’s working families, including how the policies of Sen. Barack Obama could greatly benefit workers. The Teamsters have endorsed Obana who is seeking the Democratic nomination for president.

Hoffa said he was greatly concerned that just last month, nearly 3,000 people lost their jobs in Pennsylvania, more than any other state, according to the Economic Policy Institute. And, since the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) went into effect, companies in Pennsylvania had shut down 1,583 plants, offices and warehouses.

"The current administration has sat by while company after company shut down business in Pennsylvania, taking the jobs of so many workers out of the country," Hoffa said. "We need a president who will put U.S. workers first and keep jobs here.
That will boost not only the economy, but the morale of workers and all Americans."

Hoffa met with UPS workers in Scranton and Bethlehem. He also met with workers at Ocean Logistic in Scranton. He was slated to meet with ShopRite workers in Breingsville. Hoffa will meet with workers in Hershey, Reading and Pittsburgh on Wednesday and Thursday.

Workers spoke to Hoffa about their top priorities for this election.

"My number one issue is the economy and the war-we need to bring those boys back home," said Grace Fadarishan, who was worked at Ocean Logistics for 31 years and has been a Teamster since 1976. "But we need jobs too. We need jobs in America. They should not be shipped overseas."

UPS driver Michael Kovaleski in Scranton said his top issues this election are security.

"My security, my family’s security, financial security, job security, physical security," Kovaleski said. "I have two young boys and the most important thing is their futures and the way things are going-the economy, what’s going on in the world-we need a change."

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

Fresh and Easy Markets, owned by Bristish corporation TESCO,  has aggressively campaigned against efforts and has refused to talk to UFCW, despit the fact that TESCO stores are union overseas.

UFCW is asking that you to not SHOP AT FRESH AND EASY.

Please help us by shopping at union stores including Albertsons, Vons, Food 4 Less and Smiths.

Initiative Petition State of Nevada Tax Backed Lobbying Ban

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

To be added to Article 2 of the Nevada Constitution

1. No public body, public officer, person in the employ of the state or any of its political subdivisions or candidate for public office may , directly or indirectly direct, permit, receive, require, or facilitate the use of tax revenues of any other public resources for political campaigns, lobbying, or partisan purposes, including payment of dues or membership fees of any kind to any person, league, or association which, directly or indirectly, engages in lobbying , campaigns, or partisan activity.

2. The provisions of this Section do not limit public officials in the performance of their constitutional duties, and do not apply to:

(a) Communications among and between a member and a staff member of a legislative body;

(b) Communications between an elected or appointed public officer and a legislator or a legislative staff member;

(c) Comments by an elected official or communications from an elected official that are designated for constituents;

(d) Appearances by any public officer or employee pursuant to a specific request to appear before a public body to provide information;

(e) A public employee acting in an uncompensated personal capacity, undirected in any manner by, and who does not purport to represent the interests of, a public employer;

(f) Access to public property for the purpose of engaging in core political speech, such as circulating petitions or pamphlets, of engaging in religious expression by a person acting in a personal capacity, undirected in any manner by, and who does not purport to represent the interests of, a public employer; and

(g) An authorized officer or employee of the office of

i) the Supreme Court or any lower court of the state or any of its political subdivisions,

ii) the Governor, or

iii) any elected officer of the state executive branch of government whose responsibilities are to assess the impact of proposals which affect the administration of government.

3. The following are definitions of terms used in this Section:

(a) “Direct, permit, receive, require, or facilitate the use of tax revenues or any other public resources for campaign, lobbying, or partisan purposes,” includes

(i) the use of public funds, facilities, rights of access, equipment, supplies, or trademarks to influence any election;

(ii) undertaking, promoting, or distributing studies, surveys, analyses, descriptions, or other communications using public resources in a manner specifically calculated to induce support of, or opposition to, proposed legislation or ballot questions; and

(iii) incurring any public administrative expenses or activities to allocate or designate portions of public employee income to entities that engage in campaign, lobbying, or partisan activities, other than charitable organizations qualified as exempt from federal income tax under section 501(C)3 of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

(b) “Tax revenues or any other public resources” includes all state and local government revenues and resources, but does not include any revenues paid or resources provided by the United States government.

(c) “Campaign,” includes

(i) communications or expenditures related to the pursuit of a public office, either electoral or appointive;

(ii) all lobbying; or

(iii) efforts paid in whole or in part by public revenues or resources to coordinate or induce members of the general public or any segment thereof to directly influence legislative activity by communicating with members of a legislative body, supporting or opposing legislation, or supporting or opposing a petition drive or ballot question.

(d) “Lobbying,” means attempts to directly influence legislative activity by communication with any member or employee of a legislative body, or with any government official or employee who may participate in the formulation of legislation.

(e) “Person,” includes any individual, business entity, organization, committee, political party, campaign fund, and association.

(f) “Public officer, person in the employ of the state or any of its political subdivisions,” includes any person who is elected, appointed, or employed by this state or any political subdivision of this state, including persons who are independent contractors or consultants hired by the state or a political subdivision of this state.

4. This Section will apply only to those agreements, contracts, understandings or practices that take force or are extended or renewed after this Section takes effect, namely January 1, 2011.

5. A violation of this Section is a misdemeanor. Further, any person who knowingly spends or receives funds in violation of this Section shall pay full restitution for the greater of the public cost or for the market value of any misappropriated resources. The second or subsequent violation by a public officer or employee shall render that person ineligible to hold public office or employment with the state or any of its political subdivisions for ten years.

6. The provisions of this Section are independent and severable, and if any provision of this Section, or the applicability of any provisions to any person or circumstance, shall be found to be invalid, the remainder of this Section shall not be affected and shall be given effect to the fullest extent practicable.

Please be advised that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently promulgated a final regulation concerning payment for personal protective equipment (PPE). This final rule covers workers and employers in general industry, shipyards, marine terminals, long shoring, and construction and will be effective on February 14, 2008.

This new rule requires employers to provide all personal protective equipment required by OSHA at no cost to the employees, with the following exceptions:

• Non-specialty safety-toe protective footwear, including steel-toe shoes or boots, and non-specialty prescription safety eyewear, providing that the employer allows the employees to wear the protective gear off the job site;
• Shoes or boots with built-in metatarsal protection, provided that the employer does provide metatarsal guards for use over regular footwear;
• Logging boots;
• Everyday clothing, including long-sleeve shirts, long pants, street shoes, and normal work boots;
• Ordinary clothing or skin creams used solely for protection from the weather, e.g., winter coats, jackets, gloves, rubber boots, sunglasses, and sunscreen; and
• Equipment that is purchased by the employee, provided, that the employer makes available adequate PPE at no cost.

It should be noted that the rule also addresses situations where the employee has lost or intentionally damaged the PPE. In these instances, the employer is not required to pay for replacement PPE. Further, OSHA defines “lost” as including instances where the employee “comes to work without PPE that has been issued to him.” In these cases, the employer is not permitted to allow the employee to work without the proper PPE. Because these situations may result in employees being disciplined for failure to have the proper PPE, it would be prudent to address how this aspect of the regulation will be implemented in the workplaces represented by local unions in your respective trade division or trade conference.

Unfortunately, when workers try to form a union to have a voice on their job they are frequently intimidated, harassed or retaliated against by the employer.

I know that you are aware of this grim reality. You face these obstacles everyday as you try to organize more members into the Teamsters Union. The reality is that we must change our labor law to provide a level playing field for workers.

That is exactly what the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) would do. I am writing you today to ask that you join a union-wide effort to help promote and pass this important legislation.

The Employee Free Choice Act is supported by members of both parties in congress. The Employee Free Act would:

1. Establish stronger penalties for violation of employee rights when workers seek to form a union and during first-contract negotiations.
2. Provide mediation and arbitration for first-contract disputes.
3. Allow employees to form unions by signing cards authorizing union representation.

The Teamsters Union will be working very hard on Capitol Hill over the next few months to educate members of congress on the need for this important legislation. We can not do it alone though. I need you to do the following:

• Call your member of Congress and ask that they co-sponsor the Employee Free Choice Act.
• Schedule and appointment to meet with your member of Congress during the February Congressional recess scheduled for February 19-23rd. It is important that whenever possible you include a worker in the meeting who has run intoproblems while trying to join a union, perhaps a worker who was fired or otherwise harmed by an employer tactic. After the meeting please fill out and return the attached “District Meeting Report”.
• Fill out and return the attached “Information Request” providing information that may be useful in lobbying on Capitol Hill.
• Use the attached talking points to discuss EFCA at your next membership meeting.
• Post the attached flyer in your Local Union and ask that every steward or worksite coordinator post or distribute the flyer in their workplace.
• Talk to your fellow labor unions and other community allies about the importance of this legislation.

We must all work together to pass EFCA. We have many obstacles to passing this legislation, including a threatened Senate filibuster and a Presidential veto. We have never let obstacles stop us before and we will not now.

Thank you in advance for helping us pass EFCA.