Subject: The Teamsters Keep Trucking Away From Their Own Members Interests: LRI INK

April 18, 2024

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The Teamsters Keep Trucking Away From Their Own Members Interests

by Kimberly Ricci

Like many Big Labor leaders, Teamsters President Sean “Militant” O’Brien has been putting on a brave face regarding dwindling union membership numbers since he took office two years ago.


That, in and of itself, is not too surprising. What is more interesting is how O’Brien’s posturing has included numerous false claims, such as asserting faux union election victories and calling the latest UPS contract a “win” despite tossing several negotiating points by the wayside. That contract’s sizable wage boosts are being followed by the closure and/or automation of around 600 facilities as the company balances the books to offset higher labor costs. And in response to members asking the union to do something about the job losses, the Teamsters have simply shrugged shoulders while still claiming a “historic” contract victory.


UPS workers are not finished with questioning O’Brien’s “sellout” ways, but let’s note some other particularly wild recent cases in which the union has shown its true colors towards workers:

  • The Teamsters turned their backs on their own members – delivery drivers – after 18 months of striking by Pittsburgh Post-Gazette workers, including reporters and shutterbugs. In this case, the Teamsters decided to accept severance offers for drivers and cease representing them. Another union involved in the same strike, NewsGuild CWA, is not pleased about the development. What happened? The Teamsters local’s membership dropped from 150 to 30 and possibly even lower, and the union likely decided that diminishing returns weren’t worth the fight.

  • The Teamsters also swiftly resigned from representing Dependable Highway Express drivers in Southern California after some members filed a decertification petition with assistance from the National Right To Work Foundation.

  • In even more telling news, Teamsters organizers voted against being represented by a staff union while continuing to represent and organize workers at an array of publications near the NewsGuild local in question. As a result, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce accused the Teamsters of knowing better than to “buy what they sell.”

Are there any recent corruption updates on this union, too? You know it.

Historically, the Teamsters’ pension fund has been plagued with fraudulent behavior, and perhaps times have not changed. This month, the fund found itself pressured into returning an overpaid $127 million to the U.S. Treasury, which had shelled out checks to around 3,500 dead Teamsters.


We have even more updates on this union’s maneuverings:

  • The Teamsters added fuel to the ongoing Molson Coors strike in Texas by asking NCAA Final Four viewers to boycott those brews. Elsewhere, members authorized a City Brewing strike for up to 1,800 workers in Wisconsin. However, a progressive publication has called this an empty threat while criticizing the “toothless” Texas boycott.

  • The Teamsters continue to protest self-driving vehicles, including Waymo’s Los Angeles expansion of robotaxi services, with a reported 50,000 passengers on the waiting list. The union also lobbied for the Kentucky governor’s veto of a bill that would have allowed self-driving vehicles in a variety of settings.

On another open-ended note, the Teamsters are minding their interests in the aviation industry during United Airlines’ Boeing-associated woes. These troubles recently prompted the FAA to announce increased oversight of United over the high-profile 737 MAX mess. Indeed, the union will attempt to position itself without blame as this issue further develops.

A Retail Roundup: Another Bite Of The Apple, More Trader Joe’s Woes, And A Revolt Within The UFCW

by Kimberly Ricci

A few years ago, unions aggressively entered the retail sector in an effort to make "the next Starbucks" happen. That fight hasn’t let up, although momentum has been lacking, with initial victories at Chipotle and Apple not yielding the sky-high results promised by unions. The slow and elusive nature of first contracts consistently proves that representation election victories are only the first in a long line of headaches for newly minted union members, and that pattern continues

 

However, this reality hasn’t deterred organizers from continuing their recruiting attempts in the retail realm, so let’s explore some sector updates:


  • Workers at an Apple retail store in New Jersey have filed a petition in an effort to become the third unionized location out of 271 U.S. stores. Considering that nearly two years have passed since the first union victory (in Towson, Maryland, followed by an Oklahoma City store), this isn’t exactly a barnburner of a development for Big Labor.

  • Similarly, Trader Joe’s United has only won elections at 4 of the grocer’s 500+ U.S. locations. Workers at a Chicago store have now filed for an election to make it the fifth organized store for the union. Contractual demands will include wage boosts, but a Trader Joe’s representative has publicly declared 7% annual raises to already be standard among the workforce. Somehow, the union has convinced workers, at least for now, that it can yield better results.

 

The grocery store chain has also ruffled union feathers with a new “Pronto” store that offers grab-and-go lunches and happens to be situated within the now-shuttered Trader Joe’s Wine Shop location. The NYC Trader Joe’s Wine Shop Organizing Committee, affiliated with the UFCW, called the new store “a giant slap in the face” while again accusing Trader Joe’s of closing the wine shop to quash union activity. However, the company denied shuttering the store for no other reason than issues with its state wine license.


Speaking of UFCW, a brewing revolt within the ranks is taking place with the international union’s largest local mulling over a “nuclear option” for “seceding” with the local’s 50,000 members in tow throughout Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. That is, the local is threatening to pursue disaffiliation by “declaring the UFCW to be irredeemably broken and asking members to allow them to become a standalone union dedicated to new organizing and union democracy.”


What gives? UFCW 3000 President Faye Guenther wants the international union to clean up its priorities. Of key concern is the international union’s reluctance to oppose Kroger-Albertson’s merger, which the FTC is now challenging

 

Additionally, UFCW 3000 officers have criticized the $300,000+ salaries of other local officials, which won’t win them any friends at the top, so stay tuned for a possible civil war. Or at least, there might soon be 50,000 members withdrawing from the claimed 1.2 million total tally of the entire international membership. 

 

The latter tidbit is worth watching for a possible real-time implosion. In other words, it’s a real soap opera out there for unions, but they will not change the channel anytime soon.

The Left Of Boom Show: Laugh, Learn, Play: Transforming Leadership with Erin Diehl

by Michael VanDervort

In this invigorating episode of The Left of Boom Show, prepare to be entertained and educated as we explore the unconventional intersection of improv comedy and leadership. Hosts Phil Wilson and Michael VanDervort are thrilled to welcome Erin Diehl, a dynamo of creativity and innovation in the professional development world. Erin, known for her infectious energy and unique approach to education and growth, brings a fresh perspective on how humor and playfulness can revolutionize workplace dynamics.


Erin Diehl, a self-proclaimed Business Improv Edutainer, Failfluencer, and Professional Zoombie, has an exceptional talent for turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. Through her company, improve it! Erin has challenged the status quo of professional development by incorporating elements of improv comedy to foster environments where laughter and learning coexist harmoniously. With a track record of getting over 30,000 professionals to partake in a chicken dance, her methods are anything but conventional.


In today's discussion, we dive deep into the power of improv to combat burnout, enhance self-love, and promote selfless leadership. Erin shares her journey of creating Improve It!, her philosophy behind blending comedy with education, and how embracing failure can lead to substantial personal and professional growth.

Additionally, get ready for some of Erin's top comedy recommendations, which promise to entertain and offer valuable lessons in life and leadership, and learn a bit about her best-selling book, I See You!


Whether you're a leader looking to inject some fun into your team dynamics, an HR professional seeking innovative professional development ideas, or simply need a good laugh paired with insightful takeaways, this episode is for you. Join us on The Left of Boom Show for a memorable ride filled with laughs, learning, and the liberating power of saying "Yes, and" to life's opportunities and challenges.

Stories You May Have Missed:


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Bourbon maker Woodford Reserve tried to undermine a unionization effort at its Kentucky distillery

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Union Organizing Among Tech Workers: New Labor Trend 

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After mass layoffs, Ford Rouge workers denounce union-sponsored “Going Away Party”

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Union Scoreboard

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About Labor Relations INK

Labor Relations INK is published weekly and is edited by Labor Relations Institute, Inc. Feel free to pass this newsletter on to anyone you think might enjoy it. New subscribers can sign up by visiting here.


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Contributing editors for this issue: Greg Kittinger, Michael VanDervort, and Kimberly Ricci.


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About Labor Relations Institute

LRI exists to help our clients thrive and become extraordinary workplaces. We improve the lives of working people by strengthening relationships with their leaders and each other. For over 41 years, LRI has led the labor and employee relations industry, driven by our core values and our proven process, the LRI Way.

 

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