Teamsters Local 355

May 1934: Minneapolis Truckers Make History
May 16, 2012 | In 1934, Teamsters Local 574 In Minneapolis set out on a campaign to organize all the transportation workers in the city. When employers refused to recognize the union, Local 574 struck the city's trucking companies. What followed ultimately transformed a city and played a decisive role in the history of organized labor in the U.S. Learn more at 1934 Minneapolis Strike.

Salisbury Hall Dedicated to Trailblazing Teamster Paul Reynolds
May 11, 2012 | Legendary local Teamster leader Paul Baynard Reynolds, who passed away this year at the advanced age of 102, was remembered in a dedication ceremony immediately following the May 6, 2012 monthly membership meeting at Local 355's Salisbury, Md. office. With nearly a dozen Reynolds family members from near and far in attendance, a plaque honoring his works and his memory was unveiled and the Salisbury Hall named The Paul Reynolds Meeting Hall. Full story at 355 News.

New Contracts Approved by AA County Members
May 7, 2012 | After six months of difficult negotiations with Anne Arundel County representatives, tentative agreements were ratified by the park rangers, corrections program specialists (CPS), and deputy sheriffs. The park rangers unanimously approved a first contract Thursday, May 3, 2012, that includes the Teamster grievance procedure; guarantees double time-and-a-half for worked holidays (rangers work an average of five holidays annually); requires no increase in employee health care contributions, and no furlough days. A major factor in the park rangers' decision to organize with the Teamsters was the on-going changes to work schedules and increases to job duties without their input. A mutual understanding between the County and the Union has been reached to address those issues. More at 355 News. Pictured: (front left to right) Nolley Fisher, Buisness Agent Charles Marshall, Dave Devault. (Back left to right) Business Agent Jim Deene, Adam Smith, Matthew George, Steve Streiff, and Business Agent Dan Taylor.

Golf Outing Sets Record for Member Participation
May 1, 2012 | Local 355's annual golf outing at Queenstown Harbor Lakes Course in Queenstown, Md. had the largest participation in the tournament's 38-year history. Click here for winners and photos.

YRCW Lenders Agree to Reset Loan Terms
May 1, 2012 | YRC Worldwide Inc. secured a new lifeline from creditors on Monday, providing one of the largest U.S. trucking companies with breathing space after having struggled for more than three years to avoid bankruptcy protection. Ian Gold, a Teamster representative, said the union is optimistic in the wake of YRC's new agreement with lenders that the focus now will be on YRC's operational performance, rather than its balance sheet. Dow Jones Newswires

SYSCO, USFoods Members Reject Company Final Offers
April 30, 2012 | Local 355 members employed at SYSCO and USFoods overwhelmingly rejected their respective employers' final contract offer in secret ballot voting conducted Sunday at the conclusion of contract ratification meetings. In separate meetings held at the Baltimore union hall, the respective committees presented details of the company offer and answered members' questions before the voting began. The margin of rejection sent a powerful message to the employers. SYSCO negotiators will reconvene tomorrow under a new extension agreement. Dates for resuming talks with USFoods are being discussed, but an extension agreement is in place there as well. The SYSCO contract expired March 3, 2012, and the USFoods agreement expired March 15, 2012. Above, SYSCO members review the company's final offer as President Denis Taylor explains the details. Right, 22-year driver Dave Simons questions the bargaining committe.

Earlier news items are posted at 355 News...

Elsewhere in the News

Judge Overturns Rules on Union Votes

May 15, 2012 | A federal judge on Monday struck down new regulations governing union elections, saying the National Labor Relations Board did not follow proper voting procedures when it approved the rules last year. Judge James E. Boasberg of United States District Court said the board had lacked a quorum when it voted on the rules that expedite union representation elections. He did not address the merits of the rules and said the board could simply vote again. Business groups and Republicans had challenged the rules, which took effect April 30, saying they did not give managers enough time to counter union organizers. Unions contend the new rules curb needless litigation used to stall the election process. Under the decision, the old rules apply. Full story here.

President Hoffa's response: "This is just another attack on workers and the American middle class. The decision lets anti-worker extremists game the system...The board and the courst must reconsider this issue as soon as possible so that the board can do its job of protecting workers' rights."

The Trade Agreement You Never Heard About

May 14, 2012 | Did you know, beyond closed doors, there is a massive trade agreement being crafted? Its called TPP or Trans Pacific Partnership and this one makes NAFTA look like the stepping stone that it is. This is one bad mother. This is a trade agreement between Chile, Australia, Brunei, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and the United States. Japan as well as China may also join. The countries involved isn't the problem. What's being negotiated is. TPP will outlaw Buy American. Full story at Economic Populist. Sign the petition imploring U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk to "stop the secrecy and publicly release all TPP proposals."