Victory at New Era Cap!!!
Congratulations to the 111 employees of New Era Cap, in Mobile, manufacturers of sports-licensed headwear that sells its products to Major League Baseball, as well as NBA and NHL, who voted for Teamsters Local 991 to be their bargaining representative.
The workers in Mobile formed their union because they are seeking fair pay, an end to unfair rules, including an unjust attendance policy. Community leaders including distinguished clergy and, The Mobile Chapter of the NAACP, have showed their support for the New Era Cap employees who want to be treated fairly.
Negotiations for a fair contract have started and are scheduled to continue at the end of November, 2007 and continue for as long as it takes. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters has provided additional support personnel and has pulled out all stops to secure a FAIR contract for these new brothers and sisters of Teamsters Local 991.
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Stewards' Seminar
On February 3, 2007, the Local Union held a Stewards Seminar in Mobile at the Union Hall. IBT International Vice President, Ken Wood was the special guest and was able to provide information that he has gathered during his 30+ years as a Union official and Steward. The Education Department sent Myron Sharpe to conduct the seminar, and the Education Department sent Julie Plavka to address the OSHA and hours of service concerns of the Stewards. Over 50 Stewards were in attendance.
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Northrop Grumman Ship Systems ratifies new Contract.
On April 4, 2007, the workers at Northrop Grumman ratified a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, thus ending a 29 day work stoppage. The workers received a 9 % raise the first year of the CBA and over 155 for the duration of the 3-year agreement. Also included were Attendance and Production incentives.
A Special thanks to the leaders for the Teamsters during the Strike:
David Smith - Business Agent
David Coleman, Donald Toussaint, Phillip Purcel, Jeff Eiland - Job Stewards
Cleo Johnson - a tireless work horse
The above dedicated members worked over and beyond the call of duty by maintaining the picket line 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by ensuring that walkers were present, water and snacks were available, phone banks and communication updated, strike checks distributed. No small effort of dedication and support went unnoticed !! and as a " team" we did accomplish quite a lot - with significant contractual improvements. THANKS TO EVERYONE.
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ITEMS OF INTEREST
On April 10, 2007, the Local Union hosted a seminar for the Department of Labor. Topics included - LM-2 reporting, Union accountability, and Local Union elections. Approximately 35 officials from various Unions in the south attended the meeting.
On May 8, 2007 an election was held for representation by the employees at Coastal Package Carriers of Alabama, the local contractor for DHL in Mobile. The result of the vote was 24 to 1 in favor of Teamsters Local 991 representing the workers for the purpose of collective bargaining. These workers have given a clear message to the Company that they expect a good first contract and will stand behind the negotiating team. Negotiations are expected to commence in early June with proposals being submitted prior to the first meeting. Instrumental in the success of the campaign were Business Agent David Smith, Organizer Dee Propst, and employees Ken Bryars, Shannon Bowman and Patrick Gridler.
After many negotiating sessions, a first contract was ratified by the employees of Coastal Package Carriers of Alabama (DHL-Mobile). This first contract has provisions for guaranteed wage improvements, improved working conditions, including better hours. In addition to the economic improvements, the contract has provisions for health insurance for single and/or family coverage, prescriptions, dental and LIFE insurance.
WELCOME employees of Coastal Package Carriers of Mobile!
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Teamsters Local Union 991 officer election:
Teamsters Local Union 991 nominations for officers were held November 5, 2007 for the term beginning Jan. 1, 2008 through Dec. 31, 2010. Ballots were mailed November 16, 2007 to the home address on record for all the membership of Teamsters Local 991. If you do not receive your voting "package" by Dec. 3, 2007, call the Local Union to request that a duplicate "voting package" be mailed to your home address. Follow the voting instructions included in the package to ensure that your vote is counted. No hand delivered ballots will be accepted at the Local Union.
The following nominations were made for the upcoming 3 year term of office:
Sec. Treasurer/Business Manager: - unopposed
President: - unopposed
Vice President: - unopposed
Recording Secretary: -unopposed
Unopposed candidates are declared elected for the next 3 - year term.
Nominations were made for the three (3) Trustee positions.
Be sure to properly mark your ballot and vote for only three (3) candidates for the upcoming term of office. Mail your ballot PROMPTLY in the return envelope, as described in your voting package.
BALLOTS WILL BE COUNTED ON DECEMBER 8, 2007, SATURDAY.
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MBC-United Ratifies New Contract!
On 10/5/06, about 20 drivers and warehouse workers at the Montgomery Beverage Company (MBC-United) in Mobile, recently ratified their new collective bargaining contract by more than a 3 to 1 margin. Numerous improvements were made to the contract language while gaining the largest wage increases in the bargaining history of MBC-United and Local 991!
Stewards Johnnie Brown, Roger Floyd and David Wilks worked with Business Agent John Sholtes to negotiate the 3-year deal which represents more than a 20% increase in wages. Workers with 5 or more years of service will receive even higher increases with an added longevity incentive.
These gains were not made without a fight, though. The Company's first final offer was overwhelmingly rejected and the members were ready to strike to get what they wanted. The next final offer was ratified only 5 hours before the current CBA was set to expire.
UPS-Tallahassee Teamsters
Sweep Up Big Grievance Settlements!
(Total settlement amount)
When Local 991 Members have their contractual rights violated, they do what all good Teamsters do... they file grievances.
Our Brothers at UPS in Tallahassee, FL, recently hit the grievance settlement mother-lode. In response to continuous contract violations of supervisors performing Union work, nine Local 991 Members starting documenting the times and dates of the violations and filed grievances. As a settlement to the numerous grievances that were filed, the Company paid out the following monetary awards:
Tim Hollington - $3,405.15, David Sellers - $2,284.70, Jeff Cook - $2,161.34, Lucian Wilson - $448.58, Steve Tillman - $2,344.85, Leon Roy - $2,589.55, Randall Gerrell - $1,060.28, Kirk Gowan - $1,549.64, Andy Welch - $122.36
In addition to these, other grievance settlements for "9-5 violations" were:
Ted Surmeir - $92.44, Brian Metty - $161.92, Randy Calhoun - $190.65
Special thanks to Local 991 Business Agent/Manager Jim Gookins (center), Steward Tim Hollington (right) and Steward Leon Roy (left) for their diligence in the pursuit of workers rights and fighting workplace injustices.
Just another Friday morning "Teamster Unity Meeting" at UPS in Tallahassee, FL
(See more info on Filing Grievances)
Teamsters Local 991 Christmas Party 2007
Members, Mark your calendar to
attend the Second Annual Christmas Party at Teamsters Local 991:
Date: Dec. 15, 2007
Time: 3:00 till 6:00pm
Place: Teamsters Local 991
112 S. Broad Street
Mobile, Al 36602
Be sure to call the office and confirm the number in your party, so that we can plan accordingly for food, and presents. We want every child (and adults too) to have a present from Santa Claus, and we can't make sure, IF YOU DON'T MAKE THAT CONFIRMATION.
PLEASE CONFIRM, IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND - 433 1521.