Your Fellow Teamsters Need You!

Dear Member:

Local 688's Stewards' Classes are set for Saturday, June 2 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m and I want to see you there!

These classes are part of Local 688's overall member education program that has been cited as a model by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Stewards' classes are meant for all Local 688 members-new members, long-time members, activists, experienced or new stewards-and they are relevant and focused on helping you on the job.

Each year we bring something different to the classes, a combination of legal and labor experts, union leaders and rank-and-file member participation. We'll discuss the foundation of your work as steward, handling and writing grievances, working with members and management, understanding arbitration process and interpreting contract language. We also discuss labor law issues like workers compensation and Family Medical Leave Act. Finally, we have two breakout sessions-one on organizing and another on politics-giving you concrete ways to get involved and make a difference. We have a special guest for the day: Missouri Kansas Nebraska Conference of Teamsters President Jim Kabell. Jim is a bright spot in our union-member focused and building Teamster influence in workplaces every day.

Sign up today! Call Research and Education Director Clint Zweifel at 314.513.5806 to learn more or sign-up by calling Sally Simpson at 314.513.5860. You can also confirm your attendance through e-mail. The training will be held at Local 688's new meeting center at 4349 Woodson Road (lower level in back of the building). Our new center is perfect for the training.

Since being appointed and elected Secretary-Treasurer, I've been working with your Executive Board to build a vision and strategic plan that will expand Local 688's role in helping families for generations to come. The centerpiece of that vision and plan is you-an active member who is the face of our great union. That's why we designed these classes to specifically focus on how you as an individual can make a difference in your Teamsters union-in the workplace, in reaching out to non-union workers and in politics. We want you to be exposed to every aspect of what it takes to move our union forward, choose an area and get involved.

Please sign up today. It is an honor to serve you.

Mike Goebel
Secretary Treasurer

P.S.-Directions to our new facility on 4349 Woodson Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63134 are easy. Directions from Interstate 70 (traveling West): exit at Lambert St. Louis Airport (Exit 236), turn left on Airflight Drive, turn left on Natural Bridge Road and turn right on Woodson Road. The office is one-half mile South at 4349 Woodson Road. Directions from Interstate 70 (traveling East): exit at Lambert St. Louis Airport (Exit 236)--keep left at the fork in the ramp, turn left on Pear Tree Lane--Pear Tree becomes Natural Bridge Road and turn right on Woodson Road. The office is one-half mile South at 4349 Woodson Road.

Park and enter in the back of the building. Enter at the door by the Teamsters Local 688 sign. The training room is down the hall on the left. Continental breakfast and lunch are provided.