Stories on this page:
- Teamsters Proud to be Irish
- Army Corp. of Engineers Contractor in Action
- March is Irish-American Heritage Month
- New Fines Up to $2,720 for Texting While Driving
- Hazardous Materials Instructor Training (HMIT)
- Updated 03/10: Local 174 Freight Update
- DOT HazMat Training Offered This April
- NCCCO Crane Certification Training Coming April 1st-2nd
- News Archives
St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2010
Teamsters are Proud to be Irish
It
pays to be Irish on St. Patrick’s Day in Seattle. The picture to the right
shows the Teamsters Local 174 semi truck driven by Boeing member Donny Jones
and his two sons Jeff (14 yrs), and Pete (11 yrs) participating in the 2010
St. Patrick’s Day parade. Among the several thousand spectators who watched
along the parade route on Fourth Avenue were people who just happened to be
downtown and suddenly found themselves staring at bagpipers, Irish Dancers
and Leprechauns.
“It was a beautiful sunny day for one of the largest parades that we have
ever had. Over nine bands participated this year, including one from Ireland,”
said David Jacobsen, Parade Chairman. “The parade has grown in popularity
over the last 25 years. We have welcomed all to join the Irish in celebrating
this wonderful heritage of the people who have moved to America and helped
make it what it is today. I would like to thank Teamsters Local Union
#174. They have donated the semi truck and driver since 1996. There is a
strong presence of the Teamsters Union in the Irish Heritage Club organization.
I am glad to be a second generation Irishman.”
Army Corp. of Engineers Contractor in Action
This was River Work was done by a non-union company "Inter West Construction" under contract to the "Army Corps of Engineers" in late August of 2008. This work was done on the Green River without any environmental oversight by the EPA, as a side note to this action by the Corps. If this work was done by our King County River Crew it would have been done properly without any environmental impact to a very sensitive Salmon Habitat. (Click on thumbnails to see larger photos.)
White House Proclamation
March is Irish-American Heritage Month
The White House, Office of the Press Secretary
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
From long before American independence to today, countless
individuals have reached our shores, bringing vibrant cultures
and diverse roots, and immeasurably enriching our Nation. This
month, we honor the contributions made by the tens of millions
of Americans who trace their heritage to the Emerald Isle.
Irish Americans fought for our independence, and their
signatures adorn our founding documents. When famine ravaged
Ireland in the 1840s and 1850s, many Irish men and women sought
a new beginning in the United States. Though they faced poverty
and discrimination, these immigrants transformed our cities,
served in our Armed Forces, and settled the frontiers of our
young Nation. Their children, and succeeding generations of
Irish Americans, have preserved their culture's values while
becoming leaders in every facet of American life.
During this year's Irish-American Heritage Month, we also
celebrate an extraordinary Irishman: Senator Edward M. Kennedy.
Throughout his career in public service, Senator Kennedy worked
tirelessly to create opportunity for all Americans. His legacy
lives on in the legislation he championed, which will bolster
and protect the health, education, and civil rights of Americans
for generations to come.
Across the Atlantic, the people of Ireland continue to
confront their own challenges with resolve and determination.
In the face of violence perpetuated by some -- testing a
hard-earned peace -- the people of Northern Ireland have
responded heroically. Undaunted, they and their leaders persist
on the road to peace and prosperity enshrined over a decade ago
in the Good Friday Agreement. The United States remains
committed to supporting the political process and the work of
those who have shown leadership in pursuit of a lasting peace.
Today, the sons and daughters of Erin can look back with
pride on their many contributions to the civic and cultural life
of America. Like so many of our Nation's ethnic communities,
Irish Americans are a people whose hard work and resilience have
brought them great opportunity and success, and whose service to
our Nation has left it a better place.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, by the virtue of the authority vested
in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States do
hereby proclaim March 2010 as Irish-American Heritage Month.
I call upon all Americans to observe this month by celebrating
the contributions of Irish American to our Nation with
appropriate ceremonies and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
first day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten,
and of the Independence of the United States of America the
two hundred and thirty-fourth.
BARACK OBAMA
Ban Became Effective January 27, 2010
New Fines Up to $2,720 for Texting While Driving
All Teamster members who drive vehicles as part of their job need to know that a ban on texting while driving has gone into affect.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued a regulatory guidance (49 CFR Part 390.17) that prohibits commercial drivers from using electronic devices to prepare or review text messages while operating a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce. The ban became affective January 27, 2010.
Drivers who are convicted of texting while driving a commercial motor vehicle may be subject to civil or criminal penalties of up to $2,720. The Teamsters Safety and Health Department issued a memorandum on this topic, which is available for download.
Local 174 update:
Hazardous Materials Instructor Training (HMIT)
The Teamsters Apprenticeship and Training Trust is offering a FREE class called Hazardous Materials Instructor Training (HMIT). And right now because so many are not working or are working reduced hours this is a perfect time to upgrade your skills and abilities. Through a grant from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters the Trust is offering this class to everyone who works around the transportation of hazardous materials. So whether you’re a driver, dock worker, dispatcher or office staff this is the class for you. AGAIN, THIS TRAINING IS FREE!
This class is designed to teach people to become teachers of hazardous materials regulations. Anyone whose work includes or may include the transportation of hazardous (placarded) materials can become qualified to instruct co-workers and others so that the regulations are better known and better applied in the workplace.
In addition by learning to teach others you will develop leadership skills that will help you become better Shop Stewards, Activists and all around better Teamsters.
- Students will learn how to prepare presentations with an objective in mind
- You will learn how to cover critical items in a specified timeframe
- You will learn how to check to be sure the group understands what has been presented
- You will learn how to take control of a group
- You will have the opportunity to give 7 - 10 presentations with review after each one
- This will give you more confidence speaking in front of a group of your peers
- This will help you to be better Shop Stewards and more active Union Members
- Remember – IF Knowledge is Power then Your Knowledge is Your Power
WHAT: HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INSTRUCTOR TRAINING (HMIT)
WHEN: SATURDAY APRIL 3, 2010 AND MONDAY – FRIDAY APRIL 5TH – 9TH
WHAT: 8 HOUR DOT HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TRANSPORTATION WORKER CLASS FOLLOWED BY A 40 HOUR INSTRUCTOR TRAINING CLASS
WHERE: TEAMSTERS LOCAL 174, 14675 INTERURBAN AVE S SUITE 303, TUKWILA, WA 98168
TO SIGN UP: CALL (509) 545-8297, (888) 600-8297, OR E-MAIL: wactjtc@yahoo.com
Local 174 update:
Freight Update
In the white paper freight division the Oak Harbor saga continues. While our members are back to work and the NLRB has ruled that many of our charges have merit, resolution to these charges still could take a while. At time of print, the NLRB is scheduled to have their day in court with Oak Harbor, on our behalf, in late June. The company may come to Local 174 and try to settle some of the outstanding issues before June, but we do not anticipate that being the case.
The bad economy has probably hit Peninsula Truck Lines as hard, if not harder, than any company Local 174 represents. The members have made some hard decisions and some huge sacrifices to help keep this company going. Hopefully, 2010 brings the company additional freight volumes and revenue that keeps this company moving forward.
The members at Reddaway have faced similar challenges that other freight companies have faced over the last 2 years. Decreased volumes and a pricing war that has never been seen. It also hasn’t helped that during contract negotiations the parent company (YRC) has stated over and over that they have needed equal sacrifice from all employees to survive and has proposed that the Reddaway members under the NW agreement take more of a sacrifice than any other Reddaway employee. That offer was voted down and then the company proposed moving Union work to a non-union facility. The dates proposed by the company to make that move came and went without the movement taking place. This was only after discussions where the Union and Company agreed that that work would stay Union.
** Update** The Company submitted a proposal to the Unions on March 1, 2010 and it was voted at the Teamsters Building and throughout the NW on the weekend of March 6 & 7, 2010. The results were counted on March 8, 2010 and the offer was overwhelmingly rejected by the bargaining unit. **
The members at United Warehouse and Herche Transfer seem to be getting their hours and keeping the company moving forward. With the bad economy the company isn’t putting as much volume on trucks as they have in the past, but they still seem to be busy enough for overtime and plenty of hours. This is good news for our members as in the last round of negotiations; S/T Hicks achieved a huge victory in getting language that increased their annual maximum pension hours from 2080 to 2150.
Teamsters Training Center
DOT Hazardous Materials Training Offered
this April
There are two different sessions available:
DOT
Hazardous Materials Transportation 8 Hour
Anyone that is involved in the transportation of hazardous materials
including Supervisors, Dock Workers, Warehouse Workers, Shipping Clerks,
and Drivers should attend this course.
Topics include: Shipping Papers, Driver Pocketbook, Placards and Labels,
Segregation, ERG, and Transportation. This meets the DOT requirements
for General Awareness Training and Hazmat Security Training.
When: Saturday April 3, 2010 @ 7:00
Where: Teamsters Local 174, Tukwila, WA
DOT Hazardous Materials 40 Hour Instructor - DOT HMIT
Participants will learn how to become instructors for the Hazardous
Materials Transportation Training. The pre-requisite for this course
is the 8 Hour class.
Eligible participants include anyone that has the potential to train
hazmat employees. This includes Teamster workers, supervisors, and
safety personnel. Teamster workers may be eligible for lost wages.
Trainers are provided with a training manual that includes 1S modules
regarding Hazmat Transportation. Each module is designed to be taught
stand alone. This means the trainer can return to work and instruct
a module as part of a safety meeting. Training modules can be combined
to make anywhere from a 1 hour to an 8 hour training session.
When: Monday - Friday, April 5- 9,2010 @·7:00
Where: Teamsters Local 174, Tukwila, WA
There is no charge for participating however space is limited! Call today to register: 1-509-545-8297. You can visit the Teamsters Training Center on line at www.teamsterstraining.org
Teamsters Training Center
NCCCO Crane Certification Small Telescopic
Test Preparation
This 2 day Teamsters Training Center seminar, scheduled
for April 1st - 2nd, is designed to prepare
the participant to take the NCCCO 90 question core exam and the 26 question
Small Telescopic specialty exam. Participants should be familiar with
Small Telescopic Cranes and should have the ability to pass the Small
Telescopic Practical exam at a later date. You can download the Registration
Form here