As union members, we are on what seems to be a never-ending cycle to defend ourselves from corporate and right-wing wolves. Leading the pack is our esteemed governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

This time we have to fight for our rights in a November election that wasn't supposed to happen. The governor decided he couldn't wait for the regularly scheduled election in 2006 to put his anti-union, anti-work propositions on the ballot.

You may have already experienced Governor Schwarzenegger's "reforms" that slashed and cut your workers' compensation benefits. The governor tried to take away the pensions earned by public employees, cut death benefits for police and firefighter families, and he continues to undermine the rights and protections that cover workers throughout the state of California. He unsuccessfully tried to take away your guaranteed lunches and breaks, but rumor has it that he'll try again!

You may have voted for Schwarzenegger because he campaigned against "special interests" and for "reform." It turns out that the only special interests in his mind are the unions that oppose his anti-worker agenda. In fact, Schwarzenegger has taken more money from every major corporation and employer organization than any governor in the history of California. Talk about a hypocrite!

The only protection we have against these anti-worker interests is our support of the politicians who support us -- mostly through our DRIVE program -- and our votes on Election Day.

I can't urge you more strongly to vote for your rights as a union member in November. Voter turnout will be key in winning this off-year "special election." Every vote counts -- especially yours. Please consider your union's endorsements that appear on the next page and be sure to vote on November 8.

Helping our sisters and brothers on the Gulf Coast

Local 853 again is leading the way in helping our sisters and brothers across the nation, by adopting a family in the Katrina devastated area.

We have asked the International Union's Human Rights Director Cheryl Johnson to assist us in identifying a Teamster family from the Gulf Coast to help. Shortly, we will let you know how you can assist this family in overcoming their plight.

Organizing wins

Our organizing program has shown solid results in the past few months. Our organizing victory at Reliable Trucking is an important key to organizing in the construction industry. We plan to show this company and the industry that using employee drivers rather than owner-operators can work to everyone's benefit.

Our new members at the Aramark warehouse in the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum just ratified their first contract. By joining the union, these members got significant wage increases and improvements in job protections.

Our construction division recently signed a number of sweeper companies to contract. Also, KRS has signed their first contract, and our new members there received significant wage increases, improved health and welfare and protective contract language.

We have a number of organizing targets that we are pursuing, including some of the smaller ready mix companies, some warehouses and manufacturing. As a Teamster, you can help by explaining the benefits of having union representation and calling us with any leads that you hear about.

Contract settlements

We negotiated, and our members ratified, a number of contracts this summer. The list includes Globe Plumbing Supply, Pennzoil, Safeway Dairy, Instant Whip, Challenge Dairy, Bay Meadows, Alta/Westside, Truitt and White, Larsen Bros, Osborne, White Bros, Economy, Piedmont, BK Mill, and Macy's.

In all of these negotiations, the continuing increases in health and welfare costs have been the big issue. Cost increases this year are coming in at about 10% -- still high, but an improvement over the last few years.

Membership Appreciation

Our local's annual Membership Appreciation Meeting is scheduled for November 5. With growing participation each year, we always say we may need to move to a larger hall. Join with your fellow union members in November to set the record and send us to a new hall in 2006!

Fraternally,
Rome A. Aloise, Secretary-Treasurer

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