What's New in Local 355
Carter, Mason Win Steward Election at Veolia Transportation
Feb. 2, 2012 | In an election held Monday, Jan. 30, 2011, Will Carter and Darrin Mason were elected to represent Veolia Transportation drivers, replacing Vivian Smith and Reginald Ayers. Carter joined the company in 2000 and Mason in 2004. Kevin Wade, steward for the company's mechanics, was re-elected for another term.
Arbitrator Sustains 355's Grievance on Revised HOS Policy
Jan. 31, 2012 | A January 24, 2012 decision by a Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service arbitrator upheld our class action grievance that charged the company with violating the collective bargaining agreement's disciplinary procedures and the National Labor Relations Act when it implemented its new Hours of Service Policy in November 2010. Arbitrator M. David Vaughn wrote that "the Company violated the Agreement [and the Act] by unilaterally imposing the revised HOS policy," and ordered the Employer to return to the 5-step process. Details at 355 News.
Amports Members Acknowledged for ‘Great Work Ethic & Attitude’
 Jan. 24, 2012 | The rail crew at APS East Coast, Inc. (Amports) received recognition January 20, 2012 for their hard work that assured success for rail transport company CSX in on-time deliveries of Chrysler, GM and Honda vehicles. "A big hats off to the Teamsters," wrote George Molyneaux, General Manager of APS East Terminals in a congratulatory email to Business Agent Jim Deene. "The rail crew has done a terrific job. Great work ethic and attitude, through any weather or time of day; their commitment is appreciated." Read more at 355 News.
New Information re 2009 YRCW Stock Option Plans
Jan. 23, 2012 | YRCW Teamster members who received stock options from the first and second Memoranda of Understandings (MOUs) negotiated in late 2008 and mid-year 2009, will receive information from the company about a switch in administrators. Please visit here to get additional information regarding this notice.
Rise in Baltimore Film Production Means Jobs for LU 355
Jan. 9, 2012 | Hollywood producers have tapped Baltimore to stand-in for the nation's capital for filming of "House of Cards," a Washington-set TV series starring Kevin Spacey. According to this story in last week's The Baltimore Sun, filming begins in Baltimore this spring, "making it the third political drama to be produced in Maryland in less than a year." Producers site architectural similarities to D.C., easier logistics and lower costs, for their decisions to film in Baltimore. The Maryland Film Production Employment Act, signed into law by the governor last year, provides tax credits for certain in-state expenditures by production companies. Film industry members can call Business Agent Chip Elgert for more information. Story at 355News.
Court of Appeals Rules for Union in AA County Dispute
.jpg) Jan. 5, 2012 | Local 355 has scored another win in its on-going battle with Anne Arundel County. A three-judge panel in Maryland's Court of Special Appeals affirmed on Dec.29, 2011, a Circuit Court's judgement that provided the Union's grievance against the County for refusing to follow the proper grievance procedure when it deliberately violated the 2009 deputy sheriff contract, is arbitrable. The Fifth Circuit Court judge's 2010 ruling determined the County had broken its contract with the Teamsters and ordered the dispute to arbitration. The County refused, and appealed the judge's decision to the Court of Special Appeals. "We were pleasantly surprised at the swift decision, and really pleased at the outcome," said Dan Taylor, Local 355 business agent. The Union will continue to pursue its legal right to arbitration in light of this decision, but it remains to be seen if the County abides by or ignores the Court's ruling. Read "Small Union, Big Power Struggle."
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Feb. 6, 2012 | Last week, Indiana became the 23rd state to become 'right-to-work' (for less) despite the efforts of thousands of Teamsters and other union members. The anti-union march moved on to Arizona, where its legislature passed a ban on public unions. Still, the news wasn't a total bust for union workers last week. There is push back happening and Main Street has examples: Florida activists successfully stalled their state's insane prison privatization scheme, and the "Buffett Rule" (Pay a Fair Share Act) - was introduced in the Senate. New York moved toward raising the minimum wage and the unemployment rate dropped. More at Main Street.
|
|
|
|
|
 Feb. 3, 2012 | This past Monday morning roughly 150 American truck drivers hauling for the major companies that do business at the Port of Seattle turned off their engines, got out of their cabs, and stopped hauling. According to CleanAndSafePorts.org, the courageous job action was undertaken to "sound the alarm on the occupational hazards, overweight containers, shoddy equipment, risks to motorists, and the culprits responsible for these rampant safety violations: their employers and their giant retail shipper clients like Wal-Mart, Sears, and Target." Read about their action and then click here to join your fellow Teamsters in sending a solidarity message of support to let these workers know you have their backs as they stand for safety and fairness on the job.
|
|
|
 Feb. 2, 2012 | Auto safety advocates, members of Congress and the head of the 1.4-million member International Brotherhood of Teamsters said Wednesday they oppose a GOP plan [H.R. 763] to allow much heavier trucks on the nation's roads. "Heavier and longer trucks mean greater stopping distances and shorter reaction times. This legislation is treacherous to the driving public," said Teamster President Jim Hoffa, who called it a "recipe for danger and disaster. This legislation is a reckless giveaway to the trucking industry, and corporate greed is at the wheel." Full story here.
|
|
|
 Feb. 2, 2012 | It seems there's no public service or piece of property that private companies are not eyeing as potential revenue streams. While funding anti-government think tanks like the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), companies like Corrections Corporation of America, Waste Management, Maximus, Intuit, Laidlaw, Northrup Grumman, Koch Companies [and others] are hoping to use government as their candy store. They want to take our roads, bridges, parking lots, water systems, college dorms, and prisons. And they want to deliver public services like transit systems, school cafeterias, trash and recycling pick up, mental health services and many others. Take a look at some of the proposals.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
• A feel-good 
