President's Report
by Joe Silva
President's Reportby Joe Silva |
|
September 30, 2008
Local 70 services three DHL facilities in our jurisdiction – Fremont , Dublin and Oakland . We have approximately 300 members who work out of these facilities. The seniority list is comprised of full time and part time employees. The C.B.A. provides substantial wages, benefits and working conditions that have been improved through successive contract renewals. Hard times however, have undermined the stability of the company and DHL has regularly given away freight. We have experienced regular and significant layoffs and continued viability is at stake.
The overall economy is lethargic and instability is undermining confidence. Profits are down and DHL management is reacting to the economic downturn. There is however some confidence that DHL will weather this difficult period. Cost cutting is part of this strategy but the blood letting undermines confidence. Our Shop Stewards and DHL employees are guardedly optimistic on some days and less hopeful on others. They are doing their part to enhance the viability of DHL and at the same time protect their long term job security.
Business Agent Bob Aiello is currently engaged in an organizing in Union City . Bus services in Union City are currently performed by MV Transportation employees. Secretary Treasurer Mack assigned Aiello to this Union City organizing campaign.
In 2005, Bob Aiello and Dominic Chiovare negotiated the MV Transportation agreement for the city of Livermore . The Livermore agreement is exceptional in both wages and benefits. Local 70 represents 150 MV Transportation employees. Aiello used the Livermore agreement as an example of what the Teamsters can achieve through collective bargaining.
Aiello has assessed the needs of the 36 Union City MV Transportations employees. These employees need Teamster representation. They need higher wages and benefits. The path that will produce these benefits must come from the city. The transit budget must be increased to find the wage and benefit package for these transit employees. We intend to pursue this strategy at the same time we have secured a majority of pledge cards and filed for certification on September 18, 2008. We are prepared to schedule bargaining session as soon as possible. Aiello will be conducting these negotiations. He is confident that we will secure an agreement with MV Transportation that will provide economic increases and enhanced working conditions. The process will deliver the product. Union City MV Transportation employees will benefit from these efforts.