Taking On Taking On - Teamsters Local 25

1279_Local25_Spring07.qxp 4/6/07 11:21 AM Page 7
from an injury.
I would like to take this time to thank Steward Peter
Ouillette from Milton-Cat, and Dave Wilbur, steward from
Lindenmeyr Munroe, for the leadership that they demonstrate
on a daily basis. I look forward to working with both
of them in their upcoming contract negotiations.
Business Agent
Dave Pietroforte
Negotiations are ongoing with
the Town of Acton 911 dispatchers.
The first proposal meeting
was held the week of March 8,
and dates are being sent out for
the start of negotiations.
GD Mathews has finally sent
out the retroactive checks for four of our members dating
back almost two years. The retroactive pay totaled more
than $4,000.
Negotiations are under way for the Produce Center,
which includes nine companies. The first proposal was held
in early March. Dates have been sent out to start talks with
the company.
At U.S. Foods in Everett, Massachusetts, Chief Steward
Paul Mathi and I settled three arbitration cases and have
had them withdrawn. I continue to work closely with all
my stewards at U.S. Foods and we have had great results
because of this. Thanks also to Joe Cheever, John Evans and
Don Leboe.
Costa Fruit has had many issues over the past month.
My stewards and I are working together to fight hard on
the members behalf. This includes taking on grievances
and problems in the workplace. I thank them all for their
support.
The City of Everett has had many issues concerning
grievances and problems in the workplace. My four stewards
and I are working very hard to educate our members
on the contract and to let them know we are all together
when they need us. We had seven women from the City of
Everett file grievances with the union about time owed
them when they were recalled back from their layoffs. They
were not put back to their original start dates. Thanks to
the workers’ persistence, the City agreed to put them all
back to their correct date of hire. All seven received four to
seven months in accrued time for vacation because of this. I
thank them all for their help.
I would like to welcome two of my new stewards from the
city of Everett, Paul Pasquariello at facilities, and Beth
There Is Power In A Union
There is power in a factory, power in the land,
power in the hands of a worker
But it all amounts to nothing if together we don't stand
There is power in a Union
Now the lessons of the past were all learned with workers' blood
The mistakes of the bosses we must pay for
From the cities and the farmlands to trenches full of mud
War has always been the bosses' way, sir
The Union forever defending our rights
Down with the blackleg, all workers unite
With our brothers and our sisters from many far off lands
There is power in a Union
Now I long for the morning that they realize
brutality and unjust laws can not defeat us
But who'll defend the workers who cannot organize
When the bosses send their lackies out to cheat us ?
Money speaks for money, the Devil for his own
Who comes to speak for the skin and the bone
What a comfort to the widow, a light to the child
There is power in a Union
By: Billy Bragg
Frongillo at 911.
At Ris Paper, with the help of my steward Bob Dean,
everything is running smoothly with few problems. I want to
welcome Dan Dellucci, who was elected alternate steward at
Ris Paper. Congratulations, Dan!
www.teamsterslocal25.com | SPRING 2007 | The SPOKESMAN | 5