On behalf of Teamsters Local 14 Executive Board and Staff, we wish you the best of possibilities for a joyous Christmas and a Happy New year. Two Thousand and Eight was a very big year for Local 14 with even a bigger year ahead for 2009. This is certainly not the best of times. We have only had a few people laid off. Beginning in January 2009 we will have eleven contracts open for negotiations: Pepsi Cola, Coca-Cola, Nevada Beverage, Bonanza Beverage, Johnson Brothers, CoreMark, Meadow Gold Dairies, Brady Linen Service, Harrah’s Entertainment Laundry, Westco-Bakemark, Goldberg & Solovy.

            Negotiations are still ongoing with the City of Henderson and Mission Industries. Recent contract ratifications were Sysco Food Service, Interstate Brands Corporation with a new national master agreement in place, Lincoln County, new Dispatch unit, I.A.T.S.E. Local 720, and Kraft/Nabisco. Pepsi negotiations are scheduled for December 16, 17, 2008, and January 6, 7, 8, 2009. For the second year, Local 14 sponsored free flu shots and the response was good. We plan to continue this free service. Thanks to those who participated in this event. Regarding public sector, news is not so good. PERS (Public Employees Retirement System) is involved in a two-fold attack, one waged by the IRS which is trying to formulate language that would have Nevada PERS following in line with the Federal retirement guidelines. Basically a person could not retire to age 62. These guidelines were to be in place by July 2009 but we since have received word that the deadline has been pushed back to 2011. All public sector locals have been meeting on a regular basis to develop a plan of attack to stop this effort. Also, on a State level, we have been meeting to try and stop an effort to change PERS to a defined contribution instead of a defined benefit. This would have a drastic impact on the fund. It has been tried in other states and has failed. There is also an effort to extend the age of retirement to coincide with Federal Guidelines. The Las Vegas Review Journal and the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce have been spearheading this effort. They are not your friends.

            We have just started a campaign with H.S.B.C., a  lending company with 1,300 employees located at Summerlin. We also filed for election with Meridan Private Residences, HOA, with sixteen employees.

            Clark County School District: We have been awarded a new election date by the District Court. The date has yet to be determined as the District Court judge has advised us to file a request with the Nevada Supreme Court to again hear our case regarding simple majority of those who vote, or a super majority of the entire unit. We have done this and the Supreme Court of Nevada has agreed to re-hear our case. Hearing date is yet to be determined. When it comes to organizing, the playing field is not level. Once a petition is filed with the N.L.R.B. and an election date is scheduled, the Employer then starts holding captive audience meetings which the employees are paid to be there. They are told how bad unions are. We will shut down the company, in other words they are threatened. Labor has been for the last two years, involved in an effort to level the playing field. It is called the Employees Free Choice Act which the president elect has said he would sign if passed by Congress. The employers and Chamber of Commerce are mounting a campaign against the act because they say labor would threaten and coerce people to sign cards. This is an attempt to interfere with a worker’s right to organize without fear of employer threats and intimidation. This act would not only allow for immediate recognition to bargain a contract within six months and if agreement cannot be reached, it would be submitted to mediation. As it stands now, contracts can be drawn out by the employer up to a year or more, trying to dishearten the employees. We have received an overwhelming response to the American for Free Choice cards both union and non-union. Our business agents have cards. If you have not yet filled one out, ask your business agent.

            Finally, I would like to congratulate all those who voted in our recently concluded national election. The people have spoken and are tired of politics as usual. No president in the history of this country will have to bear what the incoming president elect has to with our economy, healthcare, and the list goes on. But there is an air of optimism that over a period of time he will accomplish what he set out to do. He will have all of our support. Again, have a safe and happy holiday and be sure to keep our office informed of any change of address.

            Al Ghilarducci, Business Agent: Pepsi Cola negotiations will  open  December 16, 17, 2008, and January 6, 7, 8, 2009. Please check bulletin boards for dates and times for upcoming contract proposal reviews for Bonanza Beverage, Nevada Beverage, Johnson Brothers, Coca-Cola and CoreMark. On a somber note, we have two members who recently passed away. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of Marvin Brown (Coca-Cola) and Jesse Howerton (Southern Wine & Spirits). They will both be missed.

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.

Teamsters Local 14 is making big steps to the final finish line for the on going school organizing campaign as Nevada State Supreme Court rejects ESEA's motion to dismiss Local 14's appeal. Look here to read the ruling issue by the Court.

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.