I am of the mindset that union organizing victories are news. I believe it is news for both union members and the general public -- and clearly labor doesn't get this information out far enough.
In 2005 I started UnionReview.com as a way to get out more news and views of the labor movement. The site has a growing and vibrant online community of people who care about labor, but I am bent on getting progressive bloggers (some of whom have never been in a union hall or had a collective bargaining agreement protecting them)on point with this news. I believe that eventually some of you might reach out to me with your contact information so that I can get you this news as it comes in so that you can cover it on your own diaries and blogs.
I have always been a bit of a dreamer. I combat the dreamer thing by leading by example, or I try. So, in an effort to spread out some positive labor news, I would like to share with you two victories I posted to the Teamster.org web site earlier.
Come read the news below the fold.
Waste Workers in California Seek Strong Teamster Representation
On November 18, mechanics at the waste company Republic Services in San Carlos, California overwhelmingly voted to join Local 350 in Daly City.
The vote was 27 for Local 350, while only two workers chose representation with the Machinists Union.
Since 2003, Local 350 has represented 240 drivers at the company. The local also represents 30 transfer station employees. Now the mechanics will have the opportunity to join with their Teamster brothers and sisters and negotiate for better conditions.
"We will fight hard to negotiate a strong Teamster contract for the mechanics so that they receive the wages, benefits and working conditions they deserve," said Bob Morales, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 350 and Director of the Teamsters Solid Waste, Recycling and Related Industries Division.
In 2011, two new companies will take over the waste operations from Republic. However, Local 350 was able to negotiate worker-retention language and language addressing prevailing wages and benefits that will be in place when the two new companies take over. That means Teamsters currently under contract will be protected, as will the mechanics once they win a Teamster contract.
Workers at Covidian Logistics Choose Teamsters
Workers at pharmaceutical supplier Covidian Logistics in Ontario, Calif. overwhelmingly voted to join Teamsters Local 166. The 110 warehouse workers approached the union seeking a strong partner to help address issues on the job.
A highly motivated group, the workers quickly formed an organizing committee, gathered cards and even had picked their stewards before voting.
"We were tired of management changing rules every day without warning," said Michael Mendez, a two-year order puller at Covidian. "We wanted consistent rules on the job and wanted to work in a place where we were respected and free from threats."
Reuben Luna, a business agent and organizer for Local 166 was impressed by how coordinated and committed the group was.
"This unit was great to work with," Luna said. "This was a real team effort. They were acting like a union even before they voted. Within a week of contacting us, they had gathered the cards and we had a vote scheduled within a month."
"Now with the Teamsters in our corner, management is approaching us differently," Mendez said. "They realize that we are serious and we aren’t willing to stand by while they play their game with us. Now they will have to show us the respect we deserve."