| Day Five -- Friday |  |
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Biden to Teamsters: You Protect the Middle Class
Posted: Friday, July 1, 2011 | Source: Teamster.org
Vice President Joe Biden said today at the Teamsters’ 28th International Convention that unions are the only institution protecting the middle class from assault by concentrated power and wealth.
Biden said recent attacks on working people by politicians in state capitals and Congress represent “the most direct assault on labor in modern American history.”
During the five-day convention, which closed today, Teamsters focused on the war being waged on workers by extremist politicians in the states and in Congress. Biden’s remarks echoed the union’s message that attacks on unions are attacks on the middle class.
“What other institution in America has the power to take on this concentration of power and wealth?” Biden said. “It’s you.”
“For white-collar workers in the middle class who don’t see any relevance to unions, for my kids, for my grandkids, we can’t lose this war,” he said.
Biden said the difference between the Obama administration and Republicans is their commitment to the middle class.
“Look at Wisconsin, Ohio, New Hampshire, Missouri, Iowa, Pennsylvania, on and on. Did you ever think that in 2011 you’d be fighting against right to work for less again?” he said.
“In their vision you have no place at all in our vision you are the place,” he said. “Without you there is no American Dream. There is no possibility. We stand with organized labor because you’re standing with the people who are struggling to get a chance.”
Biden’s remarks came near the end of the convention. After he spoke, Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa closed the convention.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do,” said Hoffa. “We’ve got to make sure we get working on the American Dream.”
Day Four --Thursday
Teamsters Resolve To Ensure High-Speed Rail Jobs Are Union Jobs
Posted: Thursday, June 30, 2011 | Source: Teamster.org
A resolution to support high-speed rail and the union jobs that should go with it was passed today by delegates to the Teamsters 28th International Convention with full support from its 70,000-member Rail Conference.
Fred Simpson, President of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes, rebuked politicians such as Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., who want to privatize Amtrak. Simpson said Mica’s latest proposal “would give away America’s most successful rail corridor to his political friends, and provide them with massive government subsidies.”
“There is no tax savings to the American people in this scheme,” Simpson said. “It will not produce improved passenger service, good paying jobs, or economic growth. But it will transfer our tax dollars into the pockets of Wall Street speculators and corporate profiteers.”
Dennis Pierce, President of the Teamsters Rail Conference and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, led the successful resolution for the IBT to support the conference in its efforts to form bargaining coalitions
Pierce explained why it’s so important for railroad unions to stick together. He told the gathering that railroad carriers for generations have preyed on weak or vulnerable unions to establish “pattern settlements” that undermine stronger unions at the bargaining table.
“We are currently leading the struggle to defeat the railroads’ attempt to shift the cost of health care from an industry enjoying record profits to the workers who are least able to bear that cost,” Pierce said.
The Teamsters represent 11 crafts in 11 unions for a total of 75 percent of the total employees in the railroad industry.
UPS is the Teamsters Union’s largest bargaining unit, and members and leaders spoke not only about remaining vigilant there, but the challenges faced by workers at UPS’ main rival, FedEx.
Day Three -- Wednesday
Teamsters Pass Resolution Demanding Prosecution of Wall Street CEOs Responsible for Economic Devastation
Posted: Thursday, June 29, 2011 | Source: Teamster.org
Delegates to the 28th International Brotherhood of Teamsters Convention unanimously approved a resolution to prosecute chief executives and other Wall Street players responsible for the global financial crisis of 2008.
“How come not a single Wall Street CEO has gone to jail after destroying the economy,” said Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer Tom Keegel. “We demand that Wall Street pay for the crisis.”
Passage of the resolution followed discussions of the devastating impact of Wall Street’s greed and recklessness on the middle class. The “Putting Working Families First, Make Wall Street Pay,” resolution states that not only have there been no prosecutions of anyone directly responsible for the financial crisis, but “not a single worker, pension fund, or home owner, has received a government “bailout,” while the government spent trillions bailing out Wall Street financial institutions.” Delegates to the 28th International Brotherhood of Teamsters Convention unanimously approved a resolution to prosecute chief executives and other Wall Street players responsible for the global financial crisis of 2008.
“How come not a single Wall Street CEO has gone to jail after destroying the economy,” said Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer Tom Keegel. “We demand that Wall Street pay for the crisis.”
Passage of the resolution followed discussions of the devastating impact of Wall Street’s greed and recklessness on the middle class. The “Putting Working Families First, Make Wall Street Pay,” resolution states that not only have there been no prosecutions of anyone directly responsible for the financial crisis, but “not a single worker, pension fund, or home owner, has received a government “bailout,” while the government spent trillions bailing out Wall Street financial institutions.”
Another resolution chastised Congress for failing to help multi-employer pension funds, despite a massive lobbying and mobilization campaign by the Teamsters.
Delegates on the third day of the Convention also discussed strategies for fighting back in the war on workers unleashed by anti-union politicians who recently came to political power, including the need to be politically active and to contribute to DRIVE, the Teamster political action committee. Read more here.
Day Two -- Tuesday
Day Two: Organizing, Organizing, Organizing
Posted: Wednesday, June 29, 2011 | Source: Teamster.org
If there was one takeaway from Monday's session, it was that the recent assault on workers wasn't going to fade away.
"Their greed knows no end," said Bob Bouvier, president of Teamsters Canada. The war on workers he said, is not just in the U.S., it's not just in Canada, it's not just in Puerto Rico, it's around the world.
"They're not going to get us, we're going to get them," he said.
And so a resolution to Stop the War on Workers was passed unanimously.
International Vice President Tyson Johnson gave a no-nonsense account of the dangers in opening the border to dangerous Mexican trucks. Mario Leva, a shop steward with Local 745, described the dangers of Mexico's violent drug cartels across the border from his home in El Paso. A resolution opposing the latest pilot program to open the border to Mexican trucks won unanimous support. So did a resolution to support public workers.
The Teamsters enthusiastically supported a resolution to "continue to fight and to lobby against any trade agreement that does not increase jobs in the U.S. and protect workers' rights." And following speeches on right-to-work bills to destroy unions, Teamsters endorsed a resolution that opposing right to work "should remain a paramount priority for the Teamsters Union, working families, and allies throughout the country as to ensure that a strong and vibrant American middle class continues."
Day One -- Monday
Teamsters Open 28th International Convention
Posted: Tuesday, June 28, 2011 | Source: Teamster.org
Thousands Of Delegates Resolve To Rebuild Middle Class
(LAS VEGAS) – The International Brotherhood of Teamsters opened their 28th International Convention today with plenty of noise and a new resolve to stand up for the American Dream.Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa announced the Teamsters had organized 135,000 new members in the past five years since their last convention – more than any other labor union in North America. Hours later, he announced that more than 3,000 Republic Airways pilots had just voted to join or remain with the Teamsters by a margin of 2-to-1.
"This is how we fight back – we organize," Hoffa said.
Teamsters International General Secretary-Treasurer Tom Keegel also set the tone early in the day with a vow: "There's no way they're going to bust us or take us down because it ain't gonna happen."
The convention opened in grand style, living up to its theme of "Vision, Solidarity, Action." Delegates and guests were treated to a raucous tribute to the union that included images and video that were both current and historic. Members celebrated their role in the fight for workers' rights as drummers, dancers and Harley Davidson motorcycles revved up the opening ceremony.
Delegates passed resolutions to support public workers, to oppose job-killing trade deals, to keep the border closed to dangerous Mexican trucks; to fight against right-to-work bills to destroy unions; and to stop the war on workers.
Teamster delegates unanimously resolved, "that the Teamsters Union will take the opportunity of this 28th International Convention to strengthen the unity and solidarity within our ranks and with all those who are committed to fighting and defeating the War on Workers, as the only effective way to victory."
The Teamsters, their families and their guests heard from some of the central players in the battleground states over the past six months. Indiana Assembly Minority Leader Patrick Bauer thanked the Teamsters for organizing five weeks of protests in Indianapolis.
Retired Teamster Dave Hansen, fighting for his state Senate seat in Wisconsin, said in a video greeting that the war against workers wasn't just about unions. "This is truly about the middle class," Hansen said.
Tom Morello, guitarist for "Rage Against the Machine" who also tours solo as "The Nightwatchman," led the crowd in "This Land is Your Land." Morello is a true trade unionist and has shown his unwavering support at protests in Wisconsin and Los Angeles this past year. "It's up to us to turn the tide, not just to stop a few bad pieces of legislation," Morello said.
Charlie Andrew, member and PAC Chairman for Teamsters Local 407 in Cleveland, said the Teamsters and their allies would kill SB 5, a new Ohio law that strips collective bargaining rights for government workers, in a November referendum.
"The public understands that unions are the only shot the middle class has," Andrew said.
According to the Teamster Constitution, the International Convention, which is held every five years, is the supreme policy-making body of the union with the power and authority to modify the Constitution, establish programs, address fiscal issues and set priorities. This week, delegates will consider a number of constitutional measures and resolutions. Delegates also have the important task of nominating candidates for the International offices of General President, General Secretary-Treasurer, Vice President and Trustees.
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents more than 1.4 million hard-working men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Go to www.teamster.org for more information.
The Teamsters are in the building
Monday, June 27, 2011
Source: Teamster Nation
It's hard to get noticed in Las Vegas, but several thousand Teamsters, their families and guests are managing to do it. Proud Teamsters in their Teamster gear paraded through hotels, met in conference rooms and rehearsed their appearances on the grand and glitzy stage. Outside the Paris Hotel, tourists took photos of Teamsters posing in front of the gleaming red-white-and-blue Teamster semi-tractor trailer from Joint Council 42. Teamsters from all over the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico are gathering today for the first time in five years. Day One's agenda of the 28th annual IBT convention is focusing on the War on Workers, combining solemnity with fervor, formality with music, world-renowned celebrities and rank-and-file Teamsters.
General-Secretary Treasurer Tom Keegel -- aptly introduced as "a Teamster's Teamster" -- said the war on workers is going full blast. Keegel set the tone with his vow:
There's no way they're going to bust us or take us down because it ain't gonna happen.
The morning began with a rock 'em, sock'em, opening: an ear-splitting drum tattoo, a throng of protesters waving "Stop the War on Workers signs, "We Won't Get Fooled Again," and yes, a dozen Harleys roaring through the enormous hall.
2011 Convention Opens in Vegas
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Source: The Las Vegas Sun
James P. Hoffa will likely be the near-unanimous presidential choice of the 1,800 delegates attending the Teamsters Union convention, which opened in Las Vegas this morning at the Paris hotel-casino.
It's also likely that Hoffa will not duplicate -- nor probably even mention -- the unforgettable scene of 15 years ago, the last time the Teamsters held its convention in the nation's gambling capital.
Then Teamsters President Jackie Presser, a 350-pound behemoth who had been indicted by the Justice Department on corruption charges only a week earlier, was paraded aloft through Caesars Palace Hotel in a gilded sedan chair by four husky men clad as Roman gladiators. It was the highlight of a $650,000 union-sponsored party.
"I certainly will not be doing that," Hoffa said last week. "And you can take that to the bank."
The main purpose of the five-day gathering is to nominate officers to run the 1.4-million-member union for the next five years.
And they plan to adopt an amendment that will enshrine the one- person, one-vote principle in the union's constitution.
"This is the kickoff convention for the Hoffa Administration," said the former Detroit labor lawyer and son of legendary Teamster leader Jimmy Hoffa. "It is the beginning of the 21st century and we are basically putting into place the blocks on which to build this union."
The choice of Las Vegas -- long associated with the old, corrupt days of the Teamsters union when its presidents were regularly indicted -- as the site to mark this new beginning is somewhat ironic.
The city still stands as a symbol of the union's shady past, when pension funds were routinely diverted and used by organized crime figures to finance the construction of new casinos run by gangsters.
But Teamsters officials insist Las Vegas' heavy union presence and cheap hotel and air-fare rates far outweigh past images of union corruption.
"Las Vegas is one of the most unionized cities in the country," Hoffa said. "The hotels are union. It is also a place where we can have a convention that is economical. We are very proud to be here."