May 2010
Inland Empire Teamsters News
I-1082 Will Harm Our Economy and Cost Jobs
This effort to privatize our public workers’ compensation
system will cost the state jobs by raising rates for business and
employers.The true intent on I-1082 is to enrich big
insurance companies at the expense of taxpayers and injured workers.
We need to protect injured workers by stopping this insurance company
takeover of our public workers’ compensation system. I-1082 will harm small businesses—the engines of job growth
in our economy—by creating an uneven playing field that benefits
big businesses. While the private insurers will claim they will offer
lower rates, in reality it is the large corporation with clout that
will get the benefits. Small employers with little market power will
pay sky high rates and be left at a competitive disadvantage. Read More Here
Teamsters thank Senator Murray and Governor Gregoire
WORKING TOGETHER
Pictured here is Local 690 Secretary-Treasurer Val Holstrom with Senator Patty Murray and Governor Christine Gregoire at a recent press conference in Spokane.
At the press conference, Senator Murray, along with Governor Gregoire, announced the funding of an additional $34 million for the North South Freeway Project in Spokane. This work will keep many of our Union Construction Brothers and Sisters busy and we all know our Union workers are "The Best in the Business."
Secretary-Treasurer Holstrom especially thanked Senator Murray for her hard work and being instrumental in making sure this funding was part of the recently passed Stimulus Package for needed and necessary Construction work in our area.
Jessie Mae Fletcher
Tom Fletcher of United Buckingham
and Safeway Stores, Inc. recently lost his lovely wife of over 58
years, Jessie Mae Fletcher. Jessie, seen here
in a
family historical picture, did her part in the war movement during WWII as
a welder in the shipyards then worked on the great amazing
wonder of the world, Grand Coulee Dam. She later relocated to Spokane,
where she met the love of her life, Tommy
Fletcher.
Jessie was one of the six founding members of Morning Star Baptist Church
in the mid-1940s. The tremendous celebration of her life was conducted at
Morning Star Baptist Church and was attended by many family and friends as we
ll as former Teamsters 690 Executive Board Members Bill Joy, Buck Holliday
and Denny Resseman.
Thanks to unsung activist member heroes
We'd like to thank all of our unsung heroes,
those members who selflessly give up their time, effort and resources
to serve as Stewards and Negotiating Committee Members. Currently,
three stalwart volunteers are working tirelessly with Local 690 to bring about new contracts in a difficult
environment.
Carl Ellis and Wyatt Kutz at Fairmount Memorial are serving to help
us achieve win-win for these cemetery workers in a negotiation that
has evolved into talks with the federal mediator. Duane Simon, like Carl in his third negotiation, is standing strong with us for the retail employees
of Co-Op Supply in North Idaho.
Without these right-minded individuals and others
like them our Union could not endure. Hats off to these three and many others
similar to them who have helped to build our Teamsters Local over the years
into a great organization.
New Peirone D-Center
Peirone Produce is celebrating its 65th year in business by moving into a new state of the art Produce Distribution Center. Peirone Produce was founded by Joe Peirone and was a family-run business until it was sold in 1989 to URM Stores, where it operates as a separate Division. Peirone Produce employs about 80 Teamsters in warehouse and trucking departments. The new warehouse is nearly triple the current warehouse space at 77,000 square feet of refrigerated storage. Peirone has operated out of its current Spokane location since 1963.
The battle at SHMC continues
Left-to-right:
Local 690 Business Agent Mike Valenzuela, Secretary-Treasurer Val Holstrom
and Rank-and-File Trustee Ryan Beetham are pictured supporting the
Registered Nurses at a rally at Sacred Heart Hospital. "The Sacred
Heart Nurses are fighting against the Hospitals proposed demand for a
reduction of benefits. Local 690 is always willing to show support for our Labor
Movement Brothers and Sisters," said Holstrom. The Sacred Heart
RNs have pledged their support for their fellow Registered Nurses
at Bonner General Hospital, whose negotiations are coming up soon.
More Local 690 News
Buck
Holliday administers the Oath of Office to the newly-elected Executive
Board at the General Membership Meeting January 7. From left-to-right
are Tom Nichols (Advisory Board), Business Agents Mike Valenzuela,
Ron Vevoda, Steve Bruchman and Buck. Receiving the Oath, left-to-right,
Secretary-Treasurer Val Holstrom, President Matt Tanner, Vice President
Carol Stone, Recording Secretary W. Terry Moser, Trustee Ryan Beetham,
Trustee Eric Johnson and Trustee Dick Southwick (not pictured). The
Tried and True Slate (TNT) had complete overwhelming and convincing
victory in all seven positions and promises to carry on the strong
commitment to the representation of our members.
Teamsters Local 690 is proud to announce
the addition of two new Staff Members Mark Brandt and Kayla Pizzillo. Mark is a 15-year Business Agent and former Secretary-Treasurer of
Local 2 in Great Falls, Montana. Mark comes to us with experience in Construction, Grocery, Food Service, Public Sector, UPS and Freight. Secretary
Treasurer Val Holstrom considered all applicants for the new Business Agent
position and decided on Mark because of his vast amount of experience and expertise.
Val said he will make a great addition to our Premiere Staff of experienced
Business Agents. Mark has been assigned Construction, Freight, and
will assist Mike with UPS as part of his duties with the Local.
Kayla agreed to come to work for Local 690 after serving 13 years
with the Office Staff of Local 117. Kayla worked performing many of the vital
office functions at Local 117 including grievances, postings and receptionist.
Secretary Treasurer Holstrom said Kayla will be assigned many duties
at Local 690, dispatching and posting being but two of the many new assignments.
Kayla said she was sad to leave all the good friends she made at Local
117 but her family is in Spokane and she welcomed the opportunity to come home
and work. Thank you Local 117 your loss is our members gain.
Local 690 and Bonner General Hospital had a training seminar
for Stewards and Management. This seminar was conducted by FMCS Commissioner Darrell
Clark.Secretary-Treasurer Holstrom attended the seminar, which reviewed
contract interpretation, proper grievance preparation, and presentation.
Commissioner Clark also provided training on contract negotiations
including the theory of interest-based bargaining. Both Labor and Management agreed this
seminar was very helpful and hoped to have the FMCS back for future training.
The conducting of this seminar could not have come at a better time since
Bonner General is up for negotiations this Spring.
Construction Business Agent Holstrom filed a jurisdictional
dispute against the Operating Engineers at Flour on the Hanford site. Flour assigned
the operation of the forklifts to the Operating Engineers in a "lay
down yard."
This clearly comes under the jurisdiction of Teamster warehousing,
said Holstrom. This dispute has been forwarded to the Construction Division
of the IBT as the next step in the jurisdictional dispute process. (Pictured to the right: Matt Tanner, President of Local 690, right, congratulates new retiree
Gary Rone. )
Matt Tanner, President of Teamsters Local 690,
filed the following report on one of our recent retirees, Gary Rone.
Gary and wife Margie are enjoying their new spare time:
In 1977 Gary joined Teamsters Local 313 in Tacoma, WA. He started out at ONC Freightlines as a dockworker. He worked out of 313 for a few years then moved to Oregon for steady work in 1980. There he worked for FTL Freightlines as a p&d driver for four years, and while there he married his lovely wife Margie. They then moved to Spokane, WA in 1984 and Gary went to work for Consolidated Freightways as a p&d driver for 18 years. In the meantime they started a family in 1988 when a daughter was born, who is graduating this June from Western Washington University in Bellingham. Gary finished his total of 30 years as a Teamster in 2007 at Snyders Bakery in Spokane.
Commenting on his career and current situation, Gary said, "My hobbies include restoring motorcycles, mostly BMWs from the early 60s & 70s; fishing; and traveling in our motor home and on our motorcycle/sidecar. We are planning a three-week trip to Canada this summer to catch the "Big One."
He continued, "It's hard to believe 30 years have passed by during which I was paying union dues. Im grateful to have worked in the trucking industry as a Union driver and now have a pension that gives us a comfortable lifestyle while retiring early enough to now have some fun."
Shown to the right, with Secretary-Treasurer Val Holstrom,
is Thor Persing. Thor works for RUAN Transport and is seen here after being
awarded his Shop Steward jacket from S-T Holstrom. Thor is a former Purina
Mills driver and has worked for RUAN Transport since Purina Mills
sold its distribution to RUAN. Thor is doing a great job, said Holstrom,
and he is proud to have Thor working for his members.
Sadly we must report Michael Carbone, Pend Oreille County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, Organizer/Shop Steward, and our friend, passed away on February 23rd after a valiant battle with cancer. Michael made a difference everywhere he went and to everyone who had the good fortune to know him.
Pend Oreille County Information Technology
Services (ITS) recently
ratified their first contract; substantial wage adjustments were achieved
in the process. Congratulations to a hard-working, unified group of Teamsters!
The Stevens County Prosecutors Staff recently pulled together to
create a unique resolution to the budget crisis affecting their Office. As
a result, although one layoff was necessary, the member was made whole by a
wage deferment of the other employees; real unity and teamwork! Teamsters
taking care of Teamsters!
Cusick School District Bus drivers are preparing to begin negotiations, with the intent of finishing before end this school year.
Avery James Mulvey was born to Justin and
Jessica Mulvey on January 27, 2010. Justin, one of Local 690s UPS workers, is pictured here with
Avery. He has been with UPS since July 1998 and a full-time driver for the
past four years. Avery has three other siblings, Tristan, 12; Gavyn, 7; and
Aali-yah, 5.
Justin worked on the pre-load before becoming a full-time driver.
Its been good seeing him develop into a good husband and father.
Condolences are also extended to Roger Thomason, Road Driver for Oak Harbor Freight Lines, whose Aunt Ingrid Jackson and her husband Allen Jackson both passed away in January at the age of 85. Roger states the family reunions were always quite fun, thanks in large part to Ingrid and Allen.
WITHDRAWAL CARDS
If you are off work due to a layoff, illness or injury you may take
a withdrawal card. Dues must be current. You will be put on an inactive
status until you return to work. The downside of a withdrawal card
includes cancellation of the life insurance, you cant attend Union
meetings, and you cant run for office without two years continuous
membership in good standing prior to the election.
OFFICE HOURS
Local 690 is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
ADDRESS CHANGES
For receiving all 690 info, i.e., General Membership Meeting, Craft Meeting, Local Union Election, and other pertinent information, contact the Local to make sure your mailing and e-mail addresses are correct.