Teamster Impact: Your Voice is Making a Difference Today

July 16, 2007

Dear Member:

I know members often tire hearing about politics, especially when it becomes partisan and petty. That's why our targeted political effort at Local 688 is focused on protecting and expanding our bargaining power-providing value to current and future members while leaving non-labor issues to other interest groups.

At the Missouri state level, we developed and implemented a bi-partisan strategy to defend union members from legislative attacks like right-to-work laws. Read the next issue of 688 Today to learn more about how Local 688 is a leader in developing a rank-and-file lobbying program in Jefferson City that unions throughout Missouri are following. Getting members more directly involved in politics was one of my goals after taking office as Secretary-Treasurer in 2004. I am especially proud of our rank-and-file members who gave their time and effort in and out of Missouri's State Capitol to bring that goal to fruition. We now have a state legislative program that will continue to grow.

We made great progress this year at the national level. For the first time in more than 30 years, a majority of House and Senate members supported reform that returns the promise of American labor law: the freedom to organize. The Senate vote was still short 9 of the sixty votes required to prevent Republican opposition from stopping passage of the bill, titled the Employee Free Choice Act. But by bringing the legislation to a vote in both bodies, we've accomplished two important tasks. First, we now know how nearly every politician feels about giving workers full and fair rights to organize a union. Second, labor has set the stage pass this legislation under a worker-friendly administration.

The Employee Free Choice Act would:

• establish stronger penalties for violation of employee rights during organizing campaigns and first-contract negotiations.
• provide mediation and arbitration for first-contract disputes.
• allow employees to form unions by signing cards authorizing union representation.

Sixty million workers say they would join a union if they had a choice (Peter Hart Research, December 2006). Unfortunately, current labor law seldom gives workers a true choice. You've heard the stories about workers who try to form a union at work: threatened plant closings, firings and harassment, anti-union consultants, small group pressure meetings and endless delays. These tactics combine for hostile environment that makes it nearly impossible for workers to come together to form a union at work. Employers are often willing to violate the law, and accept small penalties later, to undermine an organizing campaign or first contact negotiations. The Employee Free Choice Act would finally provide a real voice for workers trying to organizing. There is nothing more important facing the labor movement today than making the voices of unrepresented workers heard.

I tell you these stories because they provide proof that Teamsters can make a difference through politics if our work is applied in a strategic, focused way. Once again, Local 688 members are leading the way.

It is a privilege to serve you. Together, we can make a difference for Local 688 families.

Mike Goebel
Secretary-Treasurer