POWER D.R.I.V.E. - Teamsters Local 25

StewardsSpotlightBrian DeLucaUPS–WatertownBrian DeLuca is a 19-year veteranwith UPS. He was a package-car driverfor 10 years at the Somervillefacility then moved inside as a preloaderat the Watertown locationnine years ago. DeLuca currently serves as the pre-load stewardfor the third shift in Watertown. He considers himself aworking steward: “I handle about 2,000 packages during myshift each day,” DeLuca said. “The company moves about37,000 pieces during the third shift. We are busy!”DeLuca has served as steward for the past three years. Herepresents about 80 co-workers, and DeLuca said he’s veryhappy with his union representation.“My Business Agent George Slicis has been great towork with and President O’Brien has worked really hard tomake sure that the contract is followed by management,”DeLuca said.DeLuca is always available when called upon to help thelocal union. “I bleed Local 25. I enjoy offering my time onpicket lines, walking in the Autism Walk each year and supportingDRIVE,” DeLuca said.Stanley AnkiewiczGMS Transportation –East BostonStanley Ankiewicz is in his first fullyear as steward at GMS Transportationin East Boston, Massachusetts.The drivers voted to join Local 25 in2010. Ankiewicz was skeptical at first about forming a unionin his workplace.“I was not sure that the union could help us at GMS and Ivoted ‘no’ in the union election,” Ankiewicz said. “Since wesigned our new union contract I now realize how a union canhelp workers in a workplace. We all got $3.50 -$5.00 per hourraises and will continue to get yearly raises, our start timesremain consistent, and we now have a Teamster pension plan.”Ankiewicz is thrilled with his union representation.“Steve South is a smart and persistent business agent. Hereally has gained the respect of both the membership and theownership at GMS,” Ankiewicz said. “I am really enjoyingbeing part of Local 25. I attend all of the meetings and helpout when I can.”Ankiewicz is a 12-year employee at GMS and he is thesteward for 15 Local 25 members.Arthur GluflingEast Boston NeighborhoodHealth CenterArthur Glufling has been workingat the East Boston NeighborhoodHealth Center for the last 17 years.He and his 21 fellow Local 25 coworkersare transportation associates at the health center.“Our job is to transport patients back and forth to theirmedical appointments,” Glufling said. “We drive 10-12 passengervans around Boston.”Glufling is in his second stint as steward at the healthcenter. He served as steward from 1999-2001 when he wasreplaced by Richie Dolan who served until 2011.“Richie is a dear and close friend of mine and when herecently retired, I volunteered to serve as steward once again.It will be very hard to fill Richie’s shoes, but I will give it mybest shot,” Glufling said.Glufling was around during the original organizingdrive in 1997 and is very happy his co-workers voted tojoin Local 25.“I am very happy with Local 25. It was the best decisionwe ever made,” Glufling said.24 | The SPOKESMAN | FALL 2011 | www.teamsterslocal25.com