Back in April 2006 Teamsters Local 70 entered into some very difficult negotiations with Matheson Mail Transportation. These negotiations were performed jointly with Teamsters Local 624. Local 70's negotiating team consisted of Business Agents Bob Aiello and Dominic Chiovare and Shop Stewards John Kane and Chuck Henderson. Matheson Mail Transportation has been under contract with Local 70 for over twenty years. Negotiations were very challenging based on the fact that economics are predicated on government wage determinations and ever-skyrocketing health and welfare costs.

The company negotiating team was prepared to sign an extension to the existing agreement; however local 70's team was fully prepared to sit down with a whole list of improvements and do some hard bargaining. The terms on this agreement is a historical two years. We secured a 41 ¢ per hour raise, along with a monumental move bringing the health and welfare under a jointly trusted plan from a solely company administered plan. Our employees now have dental and chiropractic coverage to go along with their pre-existing medical coverage as well as improvements in vacation opportunities and job security language. Drivers now have a bereavement leave article and for the first time a 401(k).

In addition, areas of the contract involving seniority and non-compensable time were tightened up and drivers who are caught in inclement weather conditions that cannot make it back to their home terminal will now be compensated for each day of road closure.

All in all it was a major improvement and the proof was a unanimous vote (18 yes, 0 no). Local 624 also had a unanimous vote (11 yes, 0 no). Special thanks to Local 70's negotiating team and to Bob Carr and Ralph Miranda of Local 624 for their hard work and effort as well.