UnionActive Newswire

Current news directly from Union Locals in the US and Canada.

Local 162 Members Take Reins of First New Sleeper Team Under New UPS Contract 07/19/19 - Teamsters Local 162 Local 162 member and senior UPS feeder driver Brian Runyon was awarded a new sleeper team run.  He selected Local 162 member and feeder driver Julio Lopez as his B driver.  The run was created by taking work off the railroad under the new UPS contract.

Air Division Podcast 7-19-19 07/19/19 - TWU Local 513 Dear TWU, A new episode of the Air Division podcast is out. Click here to listen! Leading consumer advocate and aviation industry expert William J. McGee joins host Brian Parker to discuss safety, security, and outsourcing issues which are plaguing the US aviation industry.

In Case You Missed It 07/19/19 - Teamsters Local 355 .

Verizon Summer Camp Reimbursement 07/19/19 - Communications Workers of America Local 1120 Verizon Summer Camp Reimbursement Program is Open! The 2019 Summer Camp includes summer day programs as well as overnight camp programs and is made available through the Local and NY/NE Regional Work & Family Committees, a joint Verizon/CWA program. Summer camp reimbursement and Dependent Care reimbursement are bargained for benefits.

Social Security Works Applauds Joe Biden’s Call for Social Security Expansion, Condemns his Fearmongering on Medicare For All 07/19/19 - Queens Area Local AMERICAN POSTAL WORKERS UNION AFL-CIO The following is a statement from Alex Lawson, Executive Director of Social Security Works, on Vice President Joe Biden’s unequivocal statement at today’s AARP Iowa forum in support of expanding Social Security benefits: “At today’s forum, Joe Biden stated: ‘We should be increasing, not decreasing, Social Security.

Take ACTION- U.S. Department of Labor Attacks IBEW Members 07/19/19 - International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local Union 21 Brothers & Sisters, IBEW International President Lonnie Stephenson is asking that all IBEW members take action to fight a proposal under consideration in the U.S Department of Labor (DOL). The proposal would establish a system in which a non-union contractor could recognize its own “apprenticeship program” that would not be subject to many of the same requirements that IBEW DOL recognized apprenticeships are. Currently the construction industry is temporarily exempted from the proposal. There is great concern that this exemption will not be part of the final regulation. Nonunion builders are eager to eliminate it, opening up the industry to apprenticeships with lower standards and greater risks. All IBEW members are being asked to submit comments to the DOL in support of the construction industry exemption.

Hoffa: House Approval of Minimum Wage Long Overdue for Workers 07/19/19 - Teamsters local 570 July 19, 2019 | INCOME INEQUALITY GAP | Yesterday the House passed the Raise the Wage Act (H.R. 582) which would increase the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2024. “Low-wage workers in much of the country have suffered through stagnant wages for more than a decade," said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa in a statement.

Hoffa: House Approval of Minimum Wage Long Overdue for Workers 07/19/19 - Teamsters Local 355 July 19, 2019 | INCOME INEQUALITY GAP | Yesterday the House passed the Raise the Wage Act (H.R. 582) which would increase the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2024. “Low-wage workers in much of the country have suffered through stagnant wages for more than a decade," said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa in a statement.

NEW Medicare Advantage Offering for FOP Retirees and Spouses 07/19/19 - Colorado State Lodge F.O.P. Dear FOP Members, Starting in August, Medicare-eligible Retirees of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and their spouses can enroll in an Aetna® Medicare Advantage PPO plan. Retired police officers have unique needs from years of hard work and challenging conditions.

Day of Action 7/23 07/19/19 - APWU Cleveland Area Local Members! Please join us in a "Day of Action" to call Your Representative in Congress about the USPS Fairness Act (H.R. 2382), on July 23, 2019, by dialing 844-402-1001 to be connected to your Representative. If passed, H.R. 2382 would repeal in total the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act's (PAEA) mandate to prefund retiree health care benefits.

Teamsters Take Action! 07/19/19 - Teamsters Local 776 The Teamsters Union applauds the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means for its vote to approve H.R. 397, the Rehabilitation for Multiemployer Pensions Act, more commonly referred to as The Butch Lewis Act. This Critical Legislation Now Moves to the House of Representatives for a Vote.

AMFA-AS and Legacy VX Transition and Seniority Integration Agreements Referendum Results 07/18/19 - AMFA July 18, 2019 -- The votes for the AMFA – Alaska Airlines (AS) and Legacy Virgin America (VX) Referendum were tallied on December 17, 2018. Votes for this referendum were counted and certified by ElectionBuddy, and the results are as follows...

Teamsters laud House for Passing Repeal of Excise Tax on Health Plans 07/18/19 - Teamsters local 570 July 18, 2019 | TAXES | General President Jim Hoffa issued a statement today about the passage of legislation that would repeal the 40 percent excise tax on comprehensive health insurance plans included in the Affordable Care Act (ACA), commonly known as the “Cadillac Tax.

New Top Labor Official Expected to Advance an Anti-Labor Agenda 07/18/19 - Teamsters local 570 July 18, 2019 | WORKERS’ RIGHTS | Mr. Pizzella, a genial lobbyist and government official who has spent years advocating the interests of businesses, is set to become the top Trump administration official protecting workers’ rights when he takes over as acting labor secretary this week.

Teamsters laud House for Passing Repeal of Excise Tax on Health Plans 07/18/19 - Teamsters Local 355 July 18, 2019 | TAXES | General President Jim Hoffa today issued a statement about the passage of legislation that would repeal the 40 percent excise tax on comprehensive health insurance plans included in the Affordable Care Act (ACA), commonly known as the “Cadillac Tax.

New Trump Top Labor Official Expected to Advance an Anti-Labor Agenda 07/18/19 - Teamsters Local 355 July 18, 2019 | WORKERS’ RIGHTS | Mr. Pizzella, a genial lobbyist and government official who has spent years advocating the interests of businesses, is set to become the top Trump administration official protecting workers’ rights when he takes over as acting labor secretary this week.

35th Annual IBEW Local 125 2019 Charity Golf and Softball Tournament 07/18/19 - IBEW Local 659 35th ANNUAL IBEW LOCAL 125 2019 CHARITY SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT & Charity Golf Tournament August 17-18, 2019 Skyline Sports Complex, 19617 Mountaineer Way, Bend, Oregon A fun family weekend to benefit the Oregon Burn Center For Tournament Format, fees, Softball Tournament Rules and Entry Form please print the attachments below.

SAVE OUR APPRENTICESHIPS: Make the Construction Industry Exemption Permanent 07/18/19 - IBEW Local 659 SAVE OUR APPRENTICESHIPS: MAKE THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY EXEMPTION PERMANENT A website has been set up for all rank and file members, their families, and friends to easily submit individualized comments to the DOL.  Comments are due by midnight on August 26, 2019.  Please direct your membership to www.saveIBEWapprenticeships.

Upcoming Events & Community Service 07/18/19 - IBEW Local 332 Good Morning IBEW Local 332 Members and supporters.  Thank you for attending one of our recent service or social events.  Your participation is helping Local 332 and the IBEW gain greater recognition in the community and it wouldn’t be possible without your efforts.  We have a few upcoming events that you are invited to attend if interested and we hope to see you there.

New Top Labor Official Expected to Advance an Anti-Labor Agenda 07/18/19 - Teamsters Local 992 July 18, 2019 | WORKERS’ RIGHTS | Mr. Pizzella, a genial lobbyist and government official who has spent years advocating the interests of businesses, is set to become the top Trump administration official protecting workers’ rights when he takes over as acting labor secretary this week.

AMFA - Alaska Airlines and Legacy Virgin America Referendum Results 07/18/19 - AMFA Local 32 AMFA - Alaska Airlines and Legacy Virgin America Referendum Results The votes for the AMFA – Alaska Airlines (AS) and Legacy Virgin America (VX) Referendum were tallied on July 18, 2019.

Bureaucrats in Washington are Trying to Destroy the UA Apprenticeship Program 07/18/19 - Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 44 The UA spends $250 million each year on training. In doing so, we’ve created the best workforce in the world of piping professionals. We’re Built on Excellence and that’s rooted in our apprenticeship training. We get the job done on time and on budget because of the level of skill our members bring to every job.

Working People Praise HouseRepeal of Tax Targeting WorkerHealth Care Plans 07/18/19 - Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen This marks an important step toward eliminating a painful tax that would take money out of the pockets of hardworking men and women while hollowing out the quality health care plans they’ve earned. This tax was ill conceived from the beginning, putting an undue burden on 181 million American workers who earn their health benefits on the job.

Work Safe! Heat-Related Illnesses Can be Fatal 07/18/19 - International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local Union 21 With the lightening and heavy rains that are currently hitting our area that will be followed by the dangerous heat and humidity over the next few days we must remind all members to WORK SAFE!  Every year we hear stories of our members and others in our industry who are working hard to perform their jobs but fall victim to heat related injuries. Don’t take unnecessary risks.

New Top Labor Official Expected to Advance an Anti-Labor Agenda 07/18/19 - Teamsters Local 888 July 18, 2019 | WORKERS’ RIGHTS | Mr. Pizzella, a genial lobbyist and government official who has spent years advocating the interests of businesses, is set to become the top Trump administration official protecting workers’ rights when he takes over as acting labor secretary this week.

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING THIS SUNDAY JULY 21 07/17/19 - Teamsters Local 179 The Teamsters Local 179 General Membership meeting will be held this Sunday July 21, 2019 at 10:00 a.m at the Local 179 membership hall located at 990 NE Frontage Road in Joliet. Hope to see you there.

Today in Labor History 07/17/19 - Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen JULY 17, 1944 — Two ammunition ships explode at Port Chicago, Calif., killing 322, including 202 African-Americans assigned by the Navy to handle explosives. It was the worst home-front disaster of World War II. The resulting refusal of 258 African-Americans to return to the dangerous work underpinned the trial and conviction of 50 of the men in what is called the Port Chicago Mutiny.

IBEW 21 Back to School Supply Drive Starts Monday 07/17/19 - International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local Union 21 The IBEW 21 Back to School Supply Drive starts next week on July 22nd.  Please begin setting up collection areas in your work locations.  Your donations will benefit IBEW 21 members in need and school children in the areas where we live and work. We are trying something new this year. My Joyful Heart assists many students in the areas where we live and work. If you or those in your work group would like to help students at these schools you can purchase a backpack filled with supplies and we will make sure it gets to a student in your area. Also this year you and those you work with can sponsor My Joyful Heart children for a full or half year. If you or your group sponsors a child IBEW 21 will arrange for My Joyful Heart to send you information on the child you are sponsoring.

Safety - One OSHA Inspector for every 79,000 workers 07/17/19 - Great Plains Laborers' District Council The AFL-CIO released its 28th annual Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect report.  This year's report shows that 5,147 working people were killed on the job in 2017. Additionally, an estimated 95,000 died from occupational diseases. AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka (UMWA) called for action:  This is a national crisis.

Family, friends remember Kendall County Deputy Carlos Ramirez 07/17/19 - El Paso Municipal Police Officers' Association Deputy Carlos Ramirez was laid to rest at the Fort Bliss National Cemetery on Tuesday.  Graveside ceremony for Deputy Carlos Ramirez at Fort Bliss Cemetery The fallen deputy was an El Paso native who graduated from Burges High School. Ramirez was a U.S. Army Reserve veteran who served the Kendall County Sheriff's office for three years.

Informational & Educational Campaign 07/17/19 - APWU Cleveland Area Local Dear Members: We will be hosting an A.P.W.U. Informational & Educational Campaign on Tues., July 30, Wed, July 31 & Thurs., 8/1, 12pm until 12am, each day, at the employee entrance of the P&DC. Please join us! Thank you.

Skagit County Fair Volunteer Oportunities 07/16/19 - IBEW Local 191 Earn your Volunteer Points!!! Volunteers needed to man the booth at the Skagit County Fair? Check the dates below and let us know which one.

Here’s Why Thousands of Auto Workers Could End Up on Strike Soon 07/16/19 - Teamsters Local 355 July 16, 2019 | STRIKES | The United Auto Workers union is set to start bargaining new contracts covering 150,000 workers at Detroit’s Big Three on Monday in what could be the most contentious negotiations the auto industry has seen in years. The union will be looking to make significant gains over the most recent four-year contracts with the companies, ratified in 2015.

Here’s Why Thousands of Auto Workers Could End Up on Strike Soon 07/16/19 - Teamsters local 570 July 16, 2019 | STRIKES | The United Auto Workers union is set to start bargaining new contracts covering 150,000 workers at Detroit’s Big Three on Monday in what could be the most contentious negotiations the auto industry has seen in years. The union will be looking to make significant gains over the most recent four-year contracts with the companies, ratified in 2015.

Call Times are changing. *Please Read* 07/16/19 - IATSE Local 33 Hello All Effective Monday, July 22,  2019 the Call-In times will be changed and the following Call-In Times will be for Monday through Friday ONLY.    Saturdays Call-In Times will remain the same for now.

CBS Negotiations Committee, Are you interested in joining the Committee? 07/16/19 - IATSE Local 33 Hello Sisters & Brothers: Anyone interested in being on the CBS Negotiations Committee is to please contact President Wright or B/A TV  Valentine asap with their written request.  Their Email addresses are: jimmywright33@gmail.com and rvalentine@iatse33.

2019 Sound & Comm special meeting 07/16/19 - IBEW Local 332 All Sound & Communications members, please plan to attend this important meeting regarding contract negotiations.

Here’s Why Thousands of Auto Workers Could End Up on Strike Soon 07/16/19 - Teamsters Local 992 July 16, 2019 | STRIKES | The United Auto Workers union is set to start bargaining new contracts covering 150,000 workers at Detroit’s Big Three on Monday in what could be the most contentious negotiations the auto industry has seen in years. The union will be looking to make significant gains over the most recent four-year contracts with the companies, ratified in 2015.

President’s Message - Change is in the Air 07/16/19 - Los Angeles College Faculty Guild - Local 1521 Whether your focus is curricular and academic or includes broader political interests, the impact of the implementation of AB 705 can’t be overestimated. It’s not just a foot in the door leading to the privatization and corporatization of higher education -- the door has now been kicked open.

Guild Membership Meeting Caps a Successful Academic Year 07/16/19 - Los Angeles College Faculty Guild - Local 1521 Guild Membership Meeting Caps a Successful Academic Year A parody of Gloria Gaynor’s 1978 disco anthem “I Will Survive” was an apt opening to the Annual Membership Meeting and dinner held at the Guild Office on May 21st that culminated the 2018/2019 academic year for AFT Local 1521. Attendees swayed to the rousing singalong led by Los Angeles College Faculty Guild president Joanne Waddell at the start of the late afternoon’s festivities.

Teamsters 2020 Survey 07/16/19 - Teamsters Local 455 Please fill out a Teamsters 2020 Election Survey at teamsters2020.com by Labor Day.  Help the union to identify the issues that matter most to members before the Teamsters endorse a 2020 presidentail candidate. Click the link below: www.

Boeing 737 MAX Update 07/16/19 - AMFA July 16, 2019 -- The Boeing 737 MAX was grounded by the FAA on March 13, 2019, and based on current information, will continue to be out of service until at least October. The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) has been monitoring the situation very carefully, and a very important question remains regarding to what degree we will be involved in the process of introducing the aircraft back into the Southwest Airlines fleet and into the Alaska Airlines fleet.

Here’s Why Thousands of Auto Workers Could End Up on Strike Soon 07/16/19 - Teamsters Local 888 July 16, 2019 | STRIKES | The United Auto Workers union is set to start bargaining new contracts covering 150,000 workers at Detroit’s Big Three on Monday in what could be the most contentious negotiations the auto industry has seen in years. The union will be looking to make significant gains over the most recent four-year contracts with the companies, ratified in 2015.

Teamster Pride 07/15/19 - Teamsters Local 776 Do you have “Teamster Pride”? Do you proudly display your Teamster Pride by wearing a Teamster shirt, hat, or jacket? Well then there’s good news for you; Local 776 has just gotten in a shipment of T-shirts in a new color: Green. The shirts have the large Teamster Logo on the back and a smaller Teamster logo on the front pocket.

How American Workers Won the Eight-Hour Workday 07/15/19 - Teamsters Local 992 July 15, 2019 | LABOR HISTORY | We’ve all had one of those days when the clock seems frozen in time and the workday drags on, and on, and on. Eight hours can feel like a lifetime, the minutes crawling by, your mood souring by the second.

Letter to Horizon Air AMTs 07/15/19 - AMFA July 15, 2019 -- First, I would like to thank you for placing your confidence in the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA). Your grassroots organizing efforts and collection of Authorization Cards from your workgroup in favor of AMFA was a wonderful surprise.

Local Heroes Night 2019 07/15/19 - Everett Police Officers Association Local Heroes Night August 23, 2019 Please come out and join us.