Winter 2012 Edition

LOCAL 320
V o l u m e XV I s s u e # 1

INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS PUBLIC AND LAW ENFORCEMENT EMPLOYEES

A AN M P O R T A N T MESSAGE FROMO M Y O U R UJOINT COUNCIL 32 DRIVE N I IMPORTANT M E S S A G E F R TEAMSTERS N I O N

DONT LET POLITICIANS

TAKE AWAY YOUR UNION

For years, greedy CEOs have been trying to boost prots on the backs of workers by cutting wages, hours and benets. Now, anti-worker politicians hold the majority in the state legislature, and theyre attacking the one thing that has protected us: our union contract. This right to work for less bill:
Lowers Wages for Everyone. The average worker in states with laws like this makes more than $5,500 less each year. In this economy, who can afford a $5,500 pay cut? (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Is Backed by Big Business. The bill is backed by the same people who were elected with support from powerful special interests attacking workers across the country with initiatives aimed at undermining our ability to negotiate fair wages and benets. Endangers worksite safety and health standards. So-called right to work rules weaken our unions so we cant bargain for better working conditionsresulting in more injuries and even deaths at the worksite. (Death on the Job: The Toll

Right to Work FOR LESS Sparks Battle at the Capitol

IN THIS ISSUE:
2) Secretary-Treasurers Report with Sue Mauren 3) Presidents Report with Joanne Derby 4) Vice Presidents Report with Brian Aldes 4) Member Spotlight with Sami Gabriel 5) DRIVE Report with Ed Reynoso 6) Right to Work FOR LESS in Kansas with Gus Froemke 7) Apply Now for Teamsters Scholarships

October 2010)
Is Unfair to Workers Who Play by the Rules. When people at a worksite vote to join a union, the union ghts for higher wages and better benets for everyone. This bill lets free-riders reap the benets of a union contract without paying their fair share of the costs.

of Neglect, AFL-CIO, 2010)

Right to Work is

WRONG FOR WORKING FAMILIES

Call or write your legislators today and urge them to oppose it.
For more information, go to www.teamstersjc32.org or contact your Local Union.

For more information, contact your union or visit www.acio.org.

LT1-182955

LocaL 320 SEcrETArY-TrEASUrErS rEPOrT

LocaL 320 OffIcErS & STAff Sue Mauren Secretary-Treasurer and Principal Officer Joanne Derby President/Business Agent Brian Aldes Vice President/Business Agent Sami Gabriel Recording Secretary/ Business Agent Marcia (Marty) Lamb Trustee, St. Paul ISD 625 richard Wheeler Trustee, MNSCU Alston Dutchin Trustee, U of M Paula Johnston General Counsel Local 320 Business Agents John Avery Gregory Burnes Mike Carey Halla Elrashidi Craig Johnson Leland Johnson Merl King Mike ODonnell (O.D.) Vance Rolfson Kari Seime Erik Skoog Curtis Swenson communications Director Gus Froemke Support Staff Susan Bastian Ron Phillips Suzanne Slawson Joni Spaulding Marcia Torgerson Kristi Ziegler Katie Ziembo Minneapolis, MN Local Union Office 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. P: 612-378-8700 F: 612-331-8948 Toll free 1-800-637-5430 online www.teamsterslocal320.org E-mail

Right to Work FOR LESS Battle Heats Up Our Minnesota Winter

By Sue Mauren
As you can see, much of this issue is devoted to the battle over right to work or as we call it, right to work FOR LESS. The anti-worker crowd is determined to put the question on the 2012 election ballot as a Constitutional amendment, something they can accomplish with simple majority votes in the House and Senate. In a nutshell, a right to work amendment would give employees at a union worksite all the benefits and protections of a union contract, without requiring them to join the union. In other words, right to work is plain old union busting. Why? Because as more and more free riders quit their union, or refuse to join, the union loses members, loses power, and in many cases simply goes away. Higher Poverty and Infant Mortality rates Right to work states have a poverty rate of 12.5 percent, compared with 10.2 percent in other states. Moreover, the infant mortality rate is 16 percent higher in right to work states. Lower Workers Compensation Benefits for Workers Injured on the Job Maximum weekly worker compensation benefits are $30 higher in free states - $609 versus $579 in right to work states. More Workplace Deaths and Injuries According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, the rate of workplace deaths is 51 percent higher in states with right to work, where unions cant speak up on behalf of workers. In the fight to kill right to work for less, its important for you to do two things:

Together we'll either keep this anti-union amendment off the fall election ballot, or we'll defeat it in November. Stay tuned.

First, visit our website at www.teamsterslocal320.org often, and sign up for action alerts. And second, call, email or write to your legislators and urge them to oppose right to work for less in Minnesota. You can find all the information you need to do that at http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/ (Minnesota House) and http://www.senate.leg.state. mn.us/ (Minnesota Senate). Together well either keep this anti-union amendment off the fall election ballot, or well defeat it in November. Stay tuned.

Workers in the 22 primarily southern and western states with right to work laws have a consistently lower quality of life than in other stateslower wages, higher poverty and infant mortality rates, less access to the health care they need and poorer education for their children. The AFL-CIO summarizes it this way: Lower Wages The average worker in a right to work state makes about $5,333 a year less than workers in other states ($35,500 compared with $30,167). Weekly wages are $72 greater in free-bargaining states than in right to work states ($621 versus $549). fewer People with Health care 21 percent more people lack health insurance in right to work states compared to freebargaining states.

Local320@teamsterslocal320.org Published By Teamsters Local 320 3001 University Ave. SE #500 Minneapolis, MN 55414

In a nutshell, a right to work amendment would give employees at a union worksite all the benefits and protections of a union contract, without requiring them to join the union.

Page 2

LocaL 320 PrESIDENT'S rEPOrT

Why Are We Teamsters? Let's Count the Benefits

By Joanne Derby, President/ Business Agent

The anti-union, right to work for LESS crowd would like us to believe our union dues are just a waste of money. Of course we know better. Next time someone asks, What are you doing in a union? show them this list: Teamster Benefits: Right to help negotiate your contract Guaranteed wages and benefits Seniority rights Employers cant change your conditions of employment without union consent Lobbyists fighting hard for you at the Capitol Teamster Privilege Benefits As Teamsters with great strength in numbers, we have a wide range of benefits available. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Life and accident insurance Auto, homeowner and renters insurance Retiree health insurance and discounts Teamsters credit card and Union SAFE Every day savings on computers, checks, interstate moving, flowers, car rentals, legal services and more Mortgage and real estate assistance Credit counseling Vacations AT&T wireless Teamster Service Bureau 1-612-676-3748 or 1-800-979-9725 www.mntsb.org

The Service Bureau, located on University Avenue near the University of Minnesota, offers members and their families free, confidential assistance in a variety of human service areas. Whether called upon to assist in a crisis or help in long-term planning, the Service Bureau provides a safe and nonjudgmental place for you to turn when you need help in areas such as alcohol and drug abuse, personal/family counseling, finances, suicide prevention, social security, literacy and other areas you and your counselor may identify. Teamsters credit Union 1-763-267-6300 www.mnteamsterscu.com The Credit Union is a full service financial institution offering: No fee checking Savings accounts Consolidation loans FHA Title 1 Home Improvement Home equity loans Financial counseling IRAs New and used car loans And more at competitive rates Teamsters food Shelf Teamster Building (parking level) 3001 University Avenue Minneapolis, MN 1-612-378-0487

The Teamsters Helping Teamsters Food Shelf (Teamsters Joint Council 32 Food Shelf) assists Teamster members and their families when they are out of work, sick or on strike. With the help of the Minnesota Teamsters Retirees Club and other volunteers, Chairman Dave Laxen and Food Shelf Manager Joe Kabacinski distribute food to dozens of Teamster families each month. Truly a "Team" effort, Teamster employers donate food and personal care products to the Food Shelf, which is also generously supported by Joint Council 32 and its affiliated Local unions and members. The Teamsters Food Shelf is the only labor-run food shelf in the state of Minnesota. We take pride in offering this service to our members who are in need. Hours Tuesday and Wednesday 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Members should contact their Local Union business agent or officers for prior authorization or any questions. Location and Phone The Food Shelf is located on the main level of the Minnesota Teamster Building on the corner of 30th and University Avenues (3001 University Avenue SE), Minneapolis, MN. 612-378-0446

Next time someone asks, What are you doing in a union? show them this list.

Page 3

LOcAL 320 VIcE PrESIDENT'S rEPOrT

In the War on Workers, It's Time for Us to Fight Back!

By Brian Aldes, Vice President/Business Agent

The legislative session promises to be full of surprises, both good and bad, but we are anticipating the worst: Attacks on our pensions Attacks on state aid to cities, counties, and school districts A right to work FOR LESS push to destroy labor unions within the state. All these attacks on Minnesota workers promise to impede our ability to bargain good contracts and protect jobs.

Local 320s legislative team promises to be your eyes and ears at the Statehouse, but we must all come together as a united front against these attacks. That is why signing up for our action alerts is so important as well as creating your personal Teamster account on our web site at www.teamsterslocal320.org When you create your account you will have access to the message board. Go to http://youtu.be/aGVPWQk3hI0 for a quick lesson on creating accounts. The Local 320 message board has been opened up for members to discuss developments during this legislative session as well as to make suggestions regarding legislation. We want to hear from you. We need your input. Go to http://www. youtube.com/watch?v=K02JEtvZb2Y for a quick lesson on how to use the message board. If we all pull together as a team we can make this legislative session productive and avert the worst.

Member Spotlight: Not Your Typical Fish Story

By Sami Gabriel, recording Secretary/Business Agent
We all know Minnesota is the state of 10,000 lakes, and on an average, there are about 700,000 licensed anglers fishing those lakes. One of Local 320's stewards has taken it a step further and has been fishing as a "co-angler" for the past 7 years. Dave Hosek has worked for the City of North St. Paul for almost 28 years as an electrical lineman. He grew up in Verndale, Minnesota and fished often with his dad on the Crow Ring River. As a father himself, he has instilled the love of fishing in his own two sons, fishing year round with them on local lakes. Since 2001, he has been fishing on the FLW tour circuit. FLW stands for Forrest L. Wood-the founder of Ranger boats. The circuit grew when Irwin L. Jacobs, a Minneapolis businessman, bought the tournament organization and grew it to a well respected circuit. This year Dave will fish in 4 tournaments starting this April in Red Wing. Being a "co-angler" means you fish each day with a different pro and attempt to reel in the most pounds of fish to win. There's a lot at stake trying for those heavy fish. People have won or lost with the difference of mere ounces. Dave fishes on the walleye circuit and loves the challenge of fishing for the Minnesota state fish. The largest walleye he caught was last year, coming in at 31 1/4" and 12 pounds. In 2010, he took first place in Pierre, S.D. with a total of 45 pounds of walleyes. That tournament netted him winnings of $4,125! Dave has a lot of fun fishing, but admits the tournaments are also a lot of work. It takes hours and hours of being on the water in all kinds of weather. Often he has to share the boat with not only his pro, but also cameramen who film hours of footage to capture that great catch-or great loss-a fish at the edge of the boat only to wiggle off the hook and swim away. Dave is always getting new tips and secrets to catch that elusive lunker. He admits that the weather is more of a factor for the one fishing and not so much for the fish. He has had some of the best fishing on a hot 100-degree sunny day with no wind. As simple as it seems, Dave's best advice for those of us struggling to reel in our personal best is move often and go where the fish are. Good luck this year Dave!

Page 4

LOcAL 320 DrIVE rEPOrT

Time to Take Action and Stop Right to Work FOR LESS

By Ed Reynoso, Jc 32 Political Director & Special Projects coordinator

This legislative session at the Capitol will certainly be as contentious as it can possibly get. There are many issues at hand that can potentially change the dynamics of the laws regarding the rights of the middle class and their biggest ally.LABOR UNIONS! As I write this article, there are discussions taking place at the Minnesota Capitol among anti-worker and business-backed groups determined to undermine the strength of your union. The most prominent and dangerous of these discussions involves making Minnesota a so-called Right to Work FOR LESS state. We know that in the 22 states that have these laws, wages are much lower, benefits are much harder to come by, and retirement benefits are less common.

Ironically, these same anti-union legislators, backed by anti-union and pro-business groups, believe that the general public should be able to vote on your ability to get a good union contract. They are pushing for this issue to be placed on the November ballot as a Constitutional amendment. This is a dangerous process because they only need a majority in both the State Senate and State House, and the Governor does not have veto power. I would like to ask that you please contact your State Representative and State Senator and tell them that Right to Work FOR LESS is bad for your family and bad for Minnesota. Tell them that if they vote the wrong way, you, your family and friends will remember come Election Day! Also, please take the time to sign up for Teamsters Joint Council 32 Right to Work FOR LESS Truth Squad at www. teamstersjc32.org

Page 5

LOcAL 320 NEWS

Right to Work for LESS will break Our Union!

By Gus Froemke, Teamsters Local 320 communications Director
Before I became a Teamster and worked with other unions in right-to-work-for-less states, I held a full-time positions in Iowa and Kansas with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Union (AFSCME). In Iowa, right-to-work-forless laws banned fair share agreements with non-union members. That meant lost revenues to the union's treasury. According to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Iowa has a total of 195,000 workers represented by unions, and out of that number only 158,000 are dues paying union members. Thus, a total of 34,000 workers are benefiting from collective bargaining, but pay no dues or fair share fees. Its not much better in Kansas, where unions represent 111,000 workers, but only 84,000 pay union dues. A total of 27,000 workers pay no dues or fair share fees and most reside in the public sector. In Kansas, workers under collective bargaining agreements have the right to drop out of the union at any time and pay nothing for union representation. As in all states, workers who are not dues paying union members must be represented fairly by the union. That leaves loyal union members holding the bag to pay for the non-union members within their units. In terms of representation it means fewer staff, less resources, and major complications with arbitrations and contract negotiations. Kansas employers used right-to-work-for-less laws to split worker unity on the job. Employers provided workers with a flyer that said, You have the right to not join a union, to not pay dues, to not participate. The union must still represent you! Commonly, employers played favorites with the non-union employees. This tactic was designed to create friction between union and non-union employees and to make the union appear ineffective. With thousands of workers not paying dues or fair share fees it was, in fact, hard to remain effective.

Employers provided workers with a flyer that said, You have the right to not join a union, to not pay dues, to not participate. The union must still represent you!

Right-to-work-for-less laws are designed to do only one thing break the union. In both Iowa and Kansas, when workers need help, union or non-union, the union is required to assist them.

In many cases, we would work to fix their problem and the worker would sign up for the union. However, as soon as the problem was resolved the worker would send notification of his/her intent to drop membership. Under that scenario a worker would have only been a union member on paper and may have never had to pay dues. This system created an administrative nightmare. If right-to-workfor-less-laws pass in Minnesota, there is no doubt that we will have broken unions.

Teamsters Joint council 32 is now on facebook Join us at: Teamsters Joint council Thirty Two

non-paRtIsan polItIcal actIon commIttEE.

Democrat Republican Independent Voter Education Is thE tEamstERs

The name says it all.
For more information, contact the Joint council 32 DRIVE office at 612-331-5514 or visit our website at www.teamstersjc32.org.

Page 6

LOcAL 320 NEWS

Apply Now for Teamsters 2012 Scholarship

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 320 supports the education and betterment of its membership and their families. That is why we are happy to provide an array of educational scholarships for you and your family. Please review the following scholarship information and should you be interested make sure to apply at www.teamsterslocal320.org under the member resources tab or call 1-800-637-5430. The James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund for high school seniors. Deadline of March 31, 2012. You can find more information at http://www.teamster.org/content/about-james-r-hoffa-memorialscholarship-fund The Teamsters Local 320 Lowell D. Lynch Scholarship Program has established ten $2000 and twenty $100 Scholarships for our members/dependents interested in attending an accredited college, university or vocational technical school. Deadline of March 31, 2012. The Teamsters Joint Council 32 Harold J. Yates Scholarship Fund of $2000 to be awarded for current graduating seniors. Deadline of April 30, 2012. The Martin Duffy Adult Learner Scholarship Award is a $500 tuition scholarship for use at any Ivy accredited university, college or vocational school. Two scholarships awarded each year. Deadline of April 30, 2012. Each scholarship has different eligibility requirements and all selected applicants will be determined by lot. If you have any questions which pertain to any of the aforementioned scholarships please contact us at 1-800-637-5430.

Visit www.teamsterslocal320.org for your events calendar and all the latest news!

The Teamsters Service Bureau provides FREE confidential services for you and your family.
We can assist you with balancing and managing many of lifes challenges. Our professional counselors can help you with: motional concerns E lcohol/drug abuse A inancial problems F tress/anxiety and depression S amily/marriage issues F egal concerns L RememberProblems and stress happen to everyone. Call the Service Bureau. Were here to help! 612-676-3700 (or 24-hour toll free 1-800-979-9725)

Page 7

Teamsters Local 320 3001 University Ave. SE #500 Minneapolis, MN 55414

Upcoming Meetings and Events

Members will be informed by mail of meeting dates

Greater Minnesota Twin cities

General Membership meetings held at 3001 University Avenue SE, Suite 500, Minneapolis, MN 55414 Phone: 1-800-637-5430 fax: 612-331-8948 www.teamsterslocal320.org local320@teamsterslocal320.org