Holiday Wishes

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Members and Officers of GCC/IBT Local 140-N

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The company has notified the union that there have been numerous questionable events taking place in recent months that lead them to believe that there are employees possibly creating dangerous and costly downtime incidents during production.  For the record, the Union denies any such behavior.

It was brought to my attention that a reel arm bolt wrench found its way into the compactor and the wrench was propelled from the machine at a dangerous speed causing damage to the compactor, and more importantly, could have caused a serious injury, or possibly even death to employees that were in the area at the time.  No one is being accused of intentionally placing the wrench in the waste container but management does not consider this an accident.

In the name of safety and cooperation, I must remind all bargaining unit employees that the Union does not condone nor do we support any behavior that would place another employee in harms way or interferes with production. Furthermore, the Union will not defend nor represent any individual found guilty of participating in any proscribed activity.

The following language pertains to this notice and should be understood and followed.

Section 3.1. No Strike. (a) During the term of this Agreement there shall be no strikes,
sympathy strikes, work stoppages, slowdowns, boycotts, intentional interruption of
production, delays or suspension of work of any nature, and no other acts that interfere
with the Company’s operations or the production or sale of its products or services by the
Union, its officers, agents or members, or by the employees. During the term of this
Agreement there shall be no lockout of any employees by the Company.


(b) The Union agrees that it will take every effort possible to discourage, prevent and
end any strike or proscribed activity and will inform all employees who participate in
such activity that it is their individual responsibility.


(c) Any or all employees participating in any such activity proscribed herein shall be
subject to disciplinary action, including discharge. In the event that a grievance is filed
with respect to activity proscribed herein, the only question before the arbitrator shall be
whether the employee engaged in such proscribed activity. If the arbitrator finds that the
employee engaged in the proscribed activity, s/he shall have no authority to rescind or
otherwise modify the discipline imposed by the Employer.


In Solidarity,
Ronnie Pineda
President
GCC/IBT Local 140-N

Los Angeles Times Pressmens 20 Year Club: Andrew Witkowski Services

Los Angeles Times Pressmens 20 Year Club: Andrew Witkowski Services

New Contract Highlights/Lowlights

1. $1000.00 signing bonus
2. 18 weeks of severance equaling approximately $20,000.00 per employee
3. Retained 5th week of Vacation for eligible presspersons
4. Maintained a 35 hour workweek, not 40 hours for same rate of pay.
5. Union Shop language, Become a member or become terminated, No more Freeriders
6. Dues to be deducted bi-weekly instead of monthly
7. Six Month Disability Job Protection, includes 12 weeks under FMLA without threat of job loss
8. "Me Too" Sick day conversion for up to 20 disability days of sick pay.
9. Improved Arbitration Language to expedite our Grievances.
10. Sick days will be paid the equivalent of 7 hours pay regardless of shift for a total of 35 hours per year.
11. Union Leave of absence for Union Officers to conduct union business
12. We now split arbitration costs instead of loser pays.
13.  Transparent vacation pick process.  

These are the changes that I consider improvements on behalf of the membership during these negotiations.

The lowlights are obvious and listed below.

1. Continued Wage freeze. Flipside, No wage concessions!
2. 8 Part-time employees. Flipside, hired from only our rank and file!
3. If Severance is accepted, Recall is waived

Compared to contracts negotiated in recent months at newspapers across the country, This current contract and the new language contained within can be considered damn good these days, whether you care to believe it or not.  Thank you Brothers Denson and Brierley for your hard and under appreciated work in negotiating these contract improvements. Thanks also to GCC/IBT International Representative Mike Huggins for your guidance and leadership at the table under very difficult bargaining circumstances. Thank you to all of the members who truly understand the situation for what it is and for your continued support. The Union gave you a voice, use it wisely and effectively, not against those that stand up for, and beside you.

You can please some of the people some of the time, but in the pressroom, you will never please all of the people at any given time. We are doing the very best we can considering we're fighting the company with one hand tied behind our back, while the other is consistently seeking the back of a fellow employee to plunge a knife into. You know who you are, sitting in our meetings like Judas at the last supper. Sad but true. Apparently some things will never change, for everyone's sake, I hope it does before this agreement expires. If you haven't read it yet, do so.

In Solidarity?

Fraternally,

Ronnie Pineda,

President,

GCC/IBT Local 140-N

Meeting Reminder

Don't forget tomorrows Ratification meeting at 1:00 pm in La Mirada at the Holiday Inn directly across from the Elephant Bar on Firestone Blvd. The address is in the previous meeting post.

I apologize that this meeting could not be postponed and it is imperative that you attend and vote.

I will explain fully and give my perspective on our current situation at tomorrow's meeting so please make every effort to attend.

Fraternally,
President
Ronnie Pineda

EMERGENCY RATIFICATION MEETING

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

International Representative, Mike Huggins notified company attorney, Amy Foran of the results of our recent ratification vote and brought our concerns and reasons for rejecting the proposed contract to her attention. Efforts were made by Rep. Huggin seeking to influence the company into at least modifying the proposed changes that would appease the members. The response was negative and we were informed that the company was not willing to change the previous offer and has now deemed the offer as their "LAST AND FINAL"

As a result, it was necessary that I call this emergency meeting to discuss the current situation and the options that were explored upon receiving the company's LAF. I will provide my perspective on the situation at the meeting and hope to have a good turnout. It is important to attend and VOTE.

The meeting will be held on Monday 12/12/2011 at the La Mirada Holiday Inn at 1:00 PM, directly across from the Elephant Bar (where we held our previous meeting) on the north side of the 5, Santa Ana Fwy, 14299 Firestone Blvd. La Mirada, Ca. 90638 the number in case you wish to call for directions is (714) 670-1685

In Solidarity,
Ronnie

Five positions available in Phoenix

I was informed this afternoon that there are up to 5 positions available if anyone is interested in relocating for work.
Please contact me, President Pineda, at (562) 884-1456 and I will provide the information to contact Christine, President of the Local in Phoenix and she can give any interested parties the full details.
Fraternally,
Ronnie

UPDATE:
Interested parties can contact Arizona Republic H.R. Rep, Scott Rollins at (602) 444-7133 for full details regarding any remaining available job openings. One of the five positions has been filled.

Ronnie

Ratification Vote Results

Local 140-N members voted against ratification of the Tentatively Agreed Contract this afternoon.
The next step will be revealed soon.
Democracy In Action!

Ratification Meeting

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
A meeting has been scheduled on Monday November 21, 2011  at the Crowne Plaza Commerce Casino Hotel beginning at 1:00pm in the Diamond room on floor 1M.
All members should have received a hand delivered copy of the new contract and should take the opportunity to compare the changes.
International Representative, Mike Huggins will detail what those tentative agreements are and answer questions along with negotiating committee members Keith Denson, Mike Brierley and myself.
Bring your copy of the contract to the meeting. Contact Executive Vice President, Keith Denson or myself if you have not received yours.
The address once again is 6121 Telegraph Blvd. Commerce, Ca.
Travel safely, see you all Monday.
In Solidarity,
GCC/IBT Local 140-N
President,
Ronnie Pineda

Contract Review

Brother Ed Padgett incorrectly indicated that copies of the new T/A'd contract would be available for review and receipt from him and his blog later today. Members and members only will receive a copy in the mail to ensure that ONLY members receive the new language to consider for ratification.

If any member has changed his or her address recently, please notify Secretary Treasurer, Linard Williams or myself immediately and be sure to receive your copy.

Our ratification meeting is tentatively scheduled for Monday, November 21, 2011. Location and time to follow.

Ronnie Pineda
President,
GCC/IBT Local 140-N

Negotiations Update Meeting

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Negotiation Committee Members, Executive Vice President, Keith Denson, Executive Board Member, Mike Brierley and myself, President, Ronnie Pineda have scheduled an urgent meeting to discuss our current status in negotiations.

Monday, November 7,2011 at the Elephant Bar in La Mirada beginning at 1:00pm.
14303 Firestone Boulevard, La Mirada.

Interstate 5 (Santa Ana Fwy) Valley View exit, (North or South). The Restaurant is located on the north side of the fwy directly across from the Holiday Inn Express.

This is NOT a ratification meeting and is only for the purpose of informing Local 140-N members where we are and what comes next. A ratification meeting date will be determined at this meeting.

MEMBERS ONLY, ROLL CALL WILL BE TAKEN AND ENFORCED BY SERGEANT OF ARMS, GARY BUNCH.

Fraternally,
Ronnie Pineda
President

Assigned Crew Arbitration Decision

Arbitrator John Kagel-Crew Selection Decision

An Evening at Knott's Berry Farm Raffle

Raffle

Why Not Occupy Newsrooms?

Why Not Occupy Newsrooms?
October 23, 2011

By DAVID CARR

Almost two weeks ago, USA Today put its finger on why the Occupy Wall Street protests continued to gain traction.

“The bonus system has gone beyond a means of rewarding talent and is now Wall Street’s primary business,” the newspaper editorial stated, adding: “Institutions take huge gambles because the short-term returns are a rationale for their rich payouts. But even when the consequences of their risky behavior come back to haunt them, they still pay huge bonuses.”

Well thought and well put, but for one thing: If you were looking for bonus excess despite miserable operations, the best recent example I can think of is Gannett, which owns USA Today.

The week before the editorial ran, Craig A. Dubow resigned as Gannett’s chief executive. His short six-year tenure was, by most accounts, a disaster. Gannett’s stock price declined to about $10 a share from a high of $75 the day after he took over; the number of employees at Gannett plummeted to 32,000 from about 52,000, resulting in a remarkable diminution in journalistic boots on the ground at the 82 newspapers the company owns.

Never a standout in journalism performance, the company strip-mined its newspapers in search of earnings, leaving many communities with far less original, serious reporting.

Given that legacy, it was about time Mr. Dubow was shown the door, right? Not in the current world we live in. Not only did Mr. Dubow retire under his own power because of health reasons, he got a mash note from Marjorie Magner, a member of Gannett’s board, who said without irony that “Craig championed our consumers and their ever-changing needs for news and information.”

But the board gave him far more than undeserved plaudits. Mr. Dubow walked out the door with just under $37.1 million in retirement, health and disability benefits. That comes on top of a combined $16 million in salary and bonuses in the last two years.

(read the rest) Click here

Brother John Rickett is gone........

I just received unconfirmed news that brother John Rickett has passed away. Brother Padgett sent me a text this afternoon informing me of John's untimely passing. I dont have any details or cause of death and will forward the information as it becomes available. Please say a prayer for John and his family.

Boston Newspaper Printing Pressmen's Union Local No. 3: NLRB Finds Santa Barbara Newspaper Committed Multi...

Boston Newspaper Printing Pressmen's Union Local No. 3: 
NLRB Finds Santa Barbara Newspaper Committed Multi...: After years of battle at Santa Barbara News-Press, the GCC/IBT won a major victory today when the National Labor Relations Board unanimo...

Cross Border Trucking Press Conference

Press Conference

General President Hoffa joined representatives from the Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association along with U.S. Rep. Bob Filner (D-CA)  and U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) in Otay/Mesa on the US/ Mexico border to hold a press conference this afternoon to denounce the crossing of Mexican trucks into the U.S. This Department of Transportation pilot program will cost American truck drivers jobs and put all American drivers safety at risk.

We've been assured by the DOT that these trucks will be safe and that GPS units will track mexican trucks while in the U.S. The first problem with this is that American Taxpayers are going to foot the bill for this technology not the companies that these deathtrap trucks are owned by.

We will have no way of knowing whether the mexican trucks are hauling legitimate cargo or drugs and contraband! We have no idea whether the Mexican Truck behind us on the freeway is going to be able to stop in time, or stop at all for that matter. Has the mexican truck driver slept the required hours of sleep determined necessary to operate a tractor trailer safely? Are his tires in good shape? Brakes?

Now lets talk about emissions! These Mexican trucks do not and will not meet our clean air quality standards and will deposit tons of diesel smog into our air. The list of potential nightmares are endless and we need to put an end to this "Pilot Disaster" before the first American life is lost and another American Driver has lost his seat behind the wheel.

Contact your representatives and tell them you too are opposed to Mexican Trucks crossing our borders!

IN SOLIDARITY!

Teamster Members attending Press conference

General President Hoffa talking with supportive members

Teamster V.P. at Large, Rick Middleton, General President, James Hoffa Jr. GCC/IBT Local 140-N President Ron Pineda 

General President Hoffa addressing the media

Teamster Nation: VIDEO: Fox News gets a drubbing

Teamster Nation: VIDEO: Fox News gets a drubbing: And here's a shock: This interview with writer (and OWSer) Jesse LaGreca never got aired on Fox News.

The Truth According to X

Thanks to Retired Organizing Director Bert Haft for posting on Facebook.

Temporary Secretary Position

District Council 2 informed me that a temporary secretary position is available at their office in Fullerton Ca. 

The position will be through the end of October, consisting of 40 hours a week at a rate of $20.00 per hour, no benefits as it is temporary. Interested parties must be bilingual and available to start immediately. The next person to inquire will most likely secure the position! Hurrrrrry!

Please contact me at (562) 884-1456 and I will forward your information to District Council 2. 

This may be a good opportunity for someone with the right skills. 

Fraternally,

Ronnie Pineda

Los Angeles Times Pressmens 20 Year Club: The Blogging Pressman Blogs Once Again

Los Angeles Times Pressmens 20 Year Club: The Blogging Pressman Blogs Once Again

Tribune seeks OK to continue management incentive plan

(Reuters) — Tribune Co. is seeking approval from a bankruptcy court to allow it to continue its management incentive plan, which seeks to pay around 640 management employees up to $42.5 million.

Under the plan, the company will pay $16.4 million if it achieves "threshold" performance of its planned consolidated operating cash flow, $32.4 million for "target" performance and $42.5 million for "maximum" performance.

Tribune, owner of the Chicago Tribune and Los Angeles Times, said the incentive plan has been a key component of its compensation structure since 1997. The payout on the current plan is lower than the court approved 2009 and 2010 plans, it said.

In a court filing in the U.S. Bankruptcy court in Wilmington, Del., the company said the approval of the plan "continues to be critically important to maintain proper incentives for the management team as the company strives to sustain its performance despite the strains of the Chapter 11 process."

Tribune Co. filed for bankruptcy protection in 2008, a year after billionaire real estate developer Sam Zell led a leveraged buyout. The deal loaded the company with about $8 billion in additional debt in a transaction financed in part by company contributions to an employee stock option plan.

The case is In Re Tribune Co., U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Delaware, No. 08-13141

Read more: http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20110831/NEWS06/110839976/tribune-seeks-ok-to-continue-management-incentive-plan#ixzz1WeuWihDu
Stay on top of Chicago business with our free daily e-newsletters

Los Angeles Times to Layoff 10 in Pressroom

Layoff Notice 8-11-11

CONTINUE TO START WORK BEFORE YOUR SHIFT, KEEP HANGING ROLLS WITHOUT A PARTNER, KEEP SKIPPING YOUR BREAKS, CONTINUE TO COME BACK EARLY FROM LUNCH.
Why do we keep doing these things that make it so much easier for the company to lay more of us off.
When will we "Stop helping the company eliminate our jobs"!

NLRB finds Santa Barbara newspaper committed multiple unfair labor practices.

After years of battle at Santa Barbara News-Press, the GCC/IBT won a major victory today when the National Labor Relations Board unanimously found that the publisher committed multiple unfair labor practices during a union organizing campaign by newsroom employees. The Board ordered Ampersand Publishing LLC to offer reinstatement to eight fired journalists and other among other remedies.

The GCC/IBT organizing campaign began in the summer of 2006 after 15 journalists resigned from the newspaper to protest what they claimed was interference with their reporting of the news. An election petition was filed in August of 2006 by GCC employees voted overwhelmingly in favor of the Union.

In addition to reinstatement, the Board ordered the News-Press to cease and desist from the illegal activity, rescind discriminatory evaluations of four union supporters; rescind suspension notices sent to eleven employees; and make all discriminated employees whole with backpay awards.

In a highly unusual step, Chairman Liebman and Member Becker also ordered that a senior management official read, or be present at the reading of, the complete NLRB notice to be posted. Read the full decision here.

Montreal Gazette Locks Out 100 Employees

The Montreal Gazette locked out several dozen employees Sunday evening. 100 employees who work in the mail room and and the printing facility rejected a recent contract offer, then showed up for their shifts on Sunday only to be told they were not allowed inside. STORY:

http://montreal.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110808/mtl_gazette_110808/20110808/?hub=MontrealHome

More Carnage at the LA Times - FishbowlLA

More Carnage at the LA Times - FishbowlLA

Tim Rutten on 'Which Way, L.A.?' - LA Observed

Tim Rutten on 'Which Way, L.A.?' - LA Observed

Here's a classy LAT farewell note - LA Observed

Here's a classy LAT farewell note - LA Observed

Newspaper Printing Consolidation Continues

With news that the Chicago Tribune has agreed to print the Chicago Sun-Times and seven of its suburban daily newspapers, it appears that the consolidation of printing within our industry will continue. The Chicago Tribune reports that when the Chicago Sun-Times plant closes its doors this fall, more than 400 union workers, from pressmen to drivers, will be out of work.

For a stunning look at up-to-date plant consolidations/closings click here.

As we are beginning to see in other cities, this news also signals an increased cooperation between once perceived rivals. The Chicago Tribune quoted Sun-Times Media Chairman Jeremy Halbreich as saying; "As the circulation has fallen, it just makes sense to do this...It reflects our economic reality," he said. "I am going to do anything that's necessary to continue to publish these newspapers, to keep our newspapers in business, and this clearly allows us to do that."

With the addition of eight Sun-Times products, the Tribune’s facility will print 15 different products a day including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Investor's Business Daily.

The Tribune reported that Becky Brubaker, senior vice president of manufacturing and distribution for Chicago Tribune Media Group, said the additional work should put the plant near capacity and will require additional staffing to meet production demands. "We look forward to employees from there applying for positions here," she said.

It should be noted that the Sun-Times plant is unionized and the Tribune facility employs mostly non-union workers. Pressmen and drivers are represented by Teamsters Local 706 at both the Tribune and Sun-Times plants. Likewise, machinists at both facilities are members of the International Association of Machinists Local 126. However, electricians at the Sun-Times plant are members of IBEW Local 134, but electricians the Tribune are not. Similarly, Sun-Times mailers and operating engineers are represented by the CWA and the IUOE while comparable positions at the Tribune are non-union.

As union officers, plant closings are one the most painful issues we deal with. With the possibility of some union members moving to non-union shops, this situation, as painful as it is, may create an opportunity for these newspaper unions to stem the loss of the closing. Let’s hope so.

Source Material: Chicago Tribune

In Related News: According to a story in Editor & Publisher, The Forward, one of the American Jewish world’s leading most important newspapers has signed a commercial printing agreement with New York Daily News. With the July 22 English-language edition and the July 15-21 Yiddish-language edition, the Forward will begin producing its entire national press run on Daily News presses in Jersey City, New Jersey. The Daily News is a union shop represented by GCC/IBT Local 2N.

theeArtist's photostream

theeArtist's photostream on Flickr.

Friends of GCC/IBT Local 140-N

Ruling may force Tribune Co. to shed assets | Marketing/media | Crain's Chicago Business

By: Lynne Marek July 07, 2011

(Crain's) — In a blow to Tribune Co. as its seeks to emerge from bankruptcy proceedings, the media company may be forced to divest broadcast or newspaper operations in several markets, including Chicago, following a federal appeals court decision Thursday.

The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia overturned part of the Federal Communication Commission’s 2008 revamp of U.S. media-ownership rules that made it easier to own a newspaper and a broadcast outlet in the same market. The court said that the FCC’s retooling of the cross-ownership rules had failed to meet public notice and comment requirements.

Chicago-based Tribune has waivers from the FCC allowing it to operate broadcast outlets in five markets where it also owns or has stakes in newspapers: Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, South Florida and Hartford, Conn.

Continue by clicking link below:

Ruling may force Tribune Co. to shed assets | Marketing/media | Crain's Chicago Business

Sundays Meeting~New Time

Sundays meeting has been moved forward one hour and will now begin at 11:00am.
This will allow our brothers and sisters working Saturday night to get enough rest before the meeting.
Executive Board Members are reminded to arrive early for our meeting scheduled to begin at 10:00am.
In Solidarity!

Must See Teamster Convention T.V.

I was humbled, and honored when asked by our Whip, GCC/IBT Local 241M President, John (Jack) Noone,  if I would like to address the Convention and  make the motion * to adopt the Resolution making Iranian Bus Driver and President of the Tehran Bus Workers Union,  Mansour Osanloo an Honorary Teamster for the inhumane treatment he suffered at the hands of the Iranian government for attempting to found a democratic trade union for his fellow bus drivers.  When it was mentioned in the resolution that Brother Mansour has been released from prison, the convention body erupted in applause.

*(pgs. 36-37 of day two's proceedings)

General Meeting Information

Local 140-N will hold its next General Meeting on Sunday July 10, 2011 at the Crowne Plaza Commerce Casino beginning at 10:00 am. The Executive Board will meet 1 hour prior to the General Meeting and all Executive board members are required to attend.

As I mentioned in the previous post, there is myriad of information to be disclosed so ALL MEMBERS are encouraged to attend. Remember, your vote at every meeting is valuable and should be exercised or your voice won't be heard.

Food and Drink will be available. 50/50 Raffle and Prizes

Fraternally and in Solidarity,

President Pineda

Local 140-N Update

Ken Hall~Ronnie Pineda~James Hoffa

Hello Brothers and Sisters,

It is good to be back in town after back to back Conventions. Delegates from across the U.S and Canada attended the GCC Convention for 3 days prior to the Teamsters 28th Convention to address  GCC International business. I will have copies of the convention highlights and more at our upcoming General Meeting. There is information that affects all of our members that will be disclosed at this meeting, so I encourage everyone to attend, remember, your vote at every meeting is important.

I was extremely surprised when told by General President Hoffa that he was closely watching our Anti-De-Cert Campaign and was very impressed when he knew the exact vote count. His message was to keep up the good work; I thanked General President Hoffa  and gave him one of our new Local 140-N hats, he thanked us in Los Angeles and pledged his attention and continued support.

General President Hoffa and New, Secretary Treasurer, Ken Hall dominated the nominations and are guaranteed their positions for the next 5 years to lead the Teamsters. Their opposition at this years Convention was crushed at the polls. The opposing candidates low numbers upset many of the delegates for causing unnecessary election expenses for their Locals to bear knowing that their bids to unseat the Hoffa slate was futile.

I encourage everyone to visit the Teamster website to read about the important issues that are being addressed by our General President, James Hoffa  and our Teamster International staff in the Legislative halls of Washington and many states across America. There is a War on Workers being waged by Corporate Billionaires and Republican Governors and The Teamsters are fighting back! Right To Work (for less) bills were introduced by 15 newly elected Republican Governors......ON THE SAME DAY! We cannot allow these rich SOB's to destroy America and our families to satisfy their gluttony and greed. To learn more on The war on Workers visit www.teamsters.org 

This is a concerted effort by the wealthy to eliminate the middle class citizen by introducing bills that deny workers from all walks of life, and trades, their right to bargain with their employer over wages and working conditions. 

Far too many workers take the benefits they receive for granted simply because there is a law in place protecting those benefits. What many fail to realize is that Organized Labor and the Unions that Represented Workers and their rights fought to receive these benefits in their Contracts long ago. Eventually many benefits such as overtime became law.

As far as Local 140 affairs, We are awaiting the return of our Attorney, Adam Stern at which time we intend to request a written statement detailing the specifics of the recent 7 Hour Shift Arbitration Decision and prepare to present our desired resolution to management and their representatives. The Arbitrators decision calls for the parties to come to a resolution, or the Arbitrator will determine what would resolve the contract violation. More on that at our upcoming Meeting.

There is much more ahead including negotiations and other grievances and Arbitration's so be sure to attend the upcoming General Meeting. I am waiting for confirmation of the location but intend on holding the meeting this coming Sunday, July, 10, 2011 so mark your calendar!  

Time and Location will be posted this afternoon,

In Solidarity,

President,

Ronnie Pineda

Local 140-N

Independence Day 2011

Wishing all of our Brothers and Sisters near and far, a happy and safe 4th of July. "Liberty" and "Freedom" should not be taken for granted, Our forefathers, the "Original Unionists", fought for our Independence signing Americas very first Contract with it's People.  

Honor these men and their memory this Independence Day by remembering; if it were not for their vision, wisdom and bravery, America would never have been born. 

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

IN SOLIDARITY, GCC/IBT LOCAL 140-N 

GCC/IBT Convention

It was an honor and privilege to spend time with friends and colleagues from across the United States and Canada at the GCC and IBT Conventions. It was amazing to see the commitment and dedication of so many union leaders, many of whom I consider friends.

I particularly want to congratulate my friend President Ronnie Pineda and the membership of Local 140 on their recent successful defeat of an ill-conceived plan to deny pressroom employees at the Los Angeles Times a voice in their work place.

This overwhelming vote in support of union representation makes clear that given the correct information, employees will vote to ensure that their voice is heard every time!

Martin Callaghan - President GCC/IBT Local 3N - Boston

7 Hour Shift Arbitration Decision

Teamster Vice President at Large Nominations

The nominations for Vice Presidents at Large have begun this morning and it is an experience. Hoffa has opposition at this years Convention. The Delegates for the Hoffa Hall slate dominate the convention hall and are making it known when a nomination for Candidates on the opposing slates attempt to nominate their candidates.

Our International President George Tedeschi is currently a Vice President at large on the Teamster Executive Board in Washington and a Candidate for re-election at this Convention on The Hoffa Hall slate.

Our local supports the Hoffa/Hall slate.

Fraternally and In Solidarity!
Ronnie Pineda
President, GCC/IBT Local 140-N

The new Teamster "WHO WE ARE" publication.

The new Teamster publication which is circulated all  over the world to let every one know "WHO WE ARE" has honored our shop and Brother Gerald Leavenworth. Gerald's picture is shown inside the book under Graphic Communications Conference informing all who read it who we are,  and also on the back cover! Way to go Levi! I'm bringing home a copy for you to autograph for me!

President Obama Addresses Teamster Convention

The President of the United States pledged to stand beside the working men and women of America and does not support the war on workers.

2011 Teamsters Convention

The 2011 Teamster Convention has begun! Delegates from across the US, Canada and Puerto Rico are in attendance. Workers from all over are being represented at this convention. I am both honored and proud to be here representing my Brothers and Sisters in the Pressroom at the Los Angeles Times!

Fraternally and in Solidarity,
Ronnie Pineda,
President,
GCC/IBT Local 140-N

7 hour shift decision in favor of Local 140-N

I received notice from our  Attorney Adam Stern and Executive Vice President Denson early yesterday informing me that our Local won our 7 hour grievance in Arbitration. First of all I need to thank all of our members that voted to keep our Union and more importantly, your patience for this decision. Believe me, nobody wanted this victory more than our faithful Executive Board Members!  This my Brothers and Sisters is what a Union is about, sticking together for what is right and standing up for the respect every one of in our trade deserves! CONGRATULATIONS!

Fraternally and in Solidarity,
President, Ronnie Pineda

De-Cert Election Results

80 YES 44 NO
Teamsters Win.
Congratulations Brothers and Sisters!

Fraternally,
Ronnie Pineda
President,
GCC/IBT Local 140-N

Staying Union !

Hello My fellow co workers,

I have Just received a mailing from Lee Cary, Stating all the things, we lost being union and all to try not being union for a year. Well that’s very interesting. Do you realize what that really means .Things like Being a fire at will employee, Hours changed at will (40 a week instead of 35) wages subject to change .possible part time employees taking the place of fulltime employees and the good one is no recourse for actions taken against us.
There are 55 yes 55 grievances file as of now !Wow you would have to ask yourself what is going on. Yet we are told they are no good ,trivial, mistaken issues .OK 55 of them lol this is how Lee says you will be taken care of ! I put my trust in solidarity and what we can accomplish together .I do not put anything to chance ! Vote yes to keep our union !!!!

Civil Court Update

Small Claims Court Commissioner  Robert Harrison, to no surprise postponed our cases once again. This postponement is now scheduled for December 2, 2011 with the hope that the NLRB in Washington makes a decision in the De-Auth petition dismissal denying an election to remove the union security language from our CBA. No matter what, a decision will be made in December due to statute of limitations effecting the union's ability to collect dues that are considered in arrears had he dismissed without prejudice allowing the union to re-file once a decision is made in Washington.

The Defendants continue to argue that the union security language is "flawed" when in fact it is not. The defendants should be pleased that the contract gives them the option to become a Beck Objector as opposed to joining the union or termination. The fact that the union cannot seek termination for non-payment of dues is the reason the NLRB Regional Director, James Small dismissed the petition originally and that is what will prevent Washington from overturning the Regional decision.

This should be very easy to take care of with the full support of the membership by simply negotiating a closed shop and require membership and payment of dues to the union in order to work in our shop. We will address this at the table.

I am pleased to say that we did receive another disbursement from the International to aid in our legal costs, I along with NANC President Joseph Inemer presented our Local's  legal statements to the International and President Tedeschi has approved and reimbursed 50% of the cost associated with defending our members and the contract.
The amount received by our Local has totaled over $25,000.00 to date.

Stay in the pursuit of fairness and we will have our day of reckoning, vote yes to keep your union!

In Solidarity,
Ronnie Pineda
President

New Hats Proof

Executive Vice President, Keith Denson will be sporting the new
GCC/IBT Local 140-N proof cap I received on Friday afternoon. If you haven't reserved your cap yet, sign up with Keith. I expect the caps to arrive within the next week or two so sign up now. If you already signed up for yours, be sure to check out the Exec. V.P.s and let me know what you think of the design. I wanted to design a cap that everyone in the shop would be proud to wear on the job to display your solidarity!

Fraternally,
President Pineda

General Meeting Tomorrow

I know its a holiday weekend but our Local is at stake and it  necessary that we meet prior to next weeks election. We will be brief and move along quickly to keep the meeting to a minimum and take care of our business. I have ordered the usual refreshments and drinks and plan to hold the raffles we have been having at recent meetings.

See you tomorrow at 11:00am at Crowne Plaza Commerce Casino!

JUNE 8 & 9 ELECTION

Dear Brother and Sisters,

The NLRB will be holding an election for us to decide whether to remain TEAMSTERS or De-Certify our Union. 

The Union informed the NLRB through our Attorney Adam Stern that we agreed to hold the election on May 27, 2011 but The Company, Lee and his FREE Attorneys from the National Right To Work Foundation argued that it was not a good day because of the holiday and that there would be employees on vacation. 

Well there are going to be people on vacation the days they suggested as well but the NLRB decided because of the holiday it would not hold the election on the 27th.

 We, as a result of the Boards position agreed to hold the election on the earliest of the available dates of June 8 and June 9 with the polls open during 7:00 am  to 8:30 am and again at 2:30 pm  to 5:30 pm on both days.

IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT YOU 

COME IN AND VOTE!

This election will be based only on the votes cast and not strictly percentages. In other words, only the ballots cast will determine whether the Union remains or not so it is critical that ALL MEMBERS VOTE YES TO KEEP OUR UNION. 

We cannot afford to assume that there will be enough votes to win and that your vote won't matter, WRONG! Every vote counts and we must show not only those that signed the petition to hold this election but the company as well, that we are not only building on our contract but also in our numbers!

MARK YOUR CALENDERS! SET A REMINDER IN YOUR PHONE! PUT IT UP ON YOUR REFRIGERATOR! 

Do whatever it takes to be in the shop to vote on either day, but don't wait until the 9th if you can cast your ballot on the 8th. 

The negotiations are going amazingly different this time around and I think we need to continue to stand together if we are to make improvements and see what is accomplished in contract negotiations.

In Solidarity,

Ronnie Pineda

President, GCC/IBT Local 140-N

Teamster Truck Solidarity Stop 5/11/2011

JC 42 Driver, Donna Culwell

CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE

 UNITED WE STAND!

 TEAMSTER PRIDE

 Teamster Vice President, Rick Middleton addressing GCC/IBT Local 140-N Members 

 WE ARE NOT ALONE!

 TEAMSTER VICE PRESIDENT, RICK MIDDLETON

 TEAMSTERS STARTS WITH "TEAM"

 HERE TO STAY!