Organizing is the lifeblood of the Teamsters Union, it is an absolute necessity for the labor movement to survive. It has become a top priority with both the International and Local 991 to organize new members into our core industries, most of which are transportation related.
D H L workers in Tallahassee are now Local 991 Members!
New Stewards Vince Dupler and Ron Hopkins (left to right)
A recent organizing victory for Local 991are two D H L contractors located in Tallahassee, FL. Brother Jim Gookins organized the workers in June 2005, and both groups have ratified their first contracts.
Contract highlights include:
Employees converted to an hourly rate from salary.
Employees now have healthcare options.
Paid vacation time and holidays.
Seniority rights.
Job security through "just cause" language.
A grievance and arbitration procedure.
No more "owner operator" costs, company now pays for vehicles, fuel, repairs, maintenance, and insurance.
This is a photo of Local 991 Business Agent, and Director of Organizing, John Sholtes conducting an organizing meeting with workers from Allied Waste in Pensacola, FL.
The recent organizing victories with Allied Waste (formerly BFI) have resulted in about 150 new members for Local 991. Their first contracts were ratified in December, 2005. The facilities that were organized are the hauling companies in Pensacola, FL, Ft. Walton Beach, FL, Mobile, AL, Brewton, AL as well as the Timberlands Landfill, also located in Brewton, AL.
Stay tuned for more organizing information!