Safety First at Local 25 - Teamsters Local 25

Ed JohnsonSteward, Costa FruitAbout a year and a half ago, Ed Johnson wasdiagnosed with prostate cancer. His solid relationshipwith his co-workers, who helped himout during his recovery, shows the Teamsterbond that can develop between a good stewardand his fellow workers.“They really came through for me,” Johnson said. “They gottogether and donated a bunch of their personal days to me so Icould have more time for my recovery. It helped out and was greatlyappreciated.”At Costa Fruit for 26 years now, Johnson said he enjoys his joband his co-workers, but his Teamster-negotiated benefits are anotherimportant advantage to the job.“You can’t beat the kind of benefits we have, but it’s not onlythat. My wages are guaranteed for the next three years,” Johnsonsaid. “In an economy like the one we’ve got today, how manynonunion people can say that?”Johnson has been a steward at Costa Fruit for about 10 years. Itdidn’t take him long to settle into the responsibilities and buildgreat relationships with his fellow Teamsters.“I respect my guys and they respect me back,” he said. “It can bea challenging job, but I enjoy it.”Local 25 Teamsters at Costa Fruit include a day crew consistingof warehouse and receiving workers, and a night crew that picks uporders and loads trucks, plus truck drivers. Johnson is a truck driverand delivers to hotels, schools and other locations in the area.“I think Local 25 does a fantastic job,” Johnson said, citing thelocal’s leadership as one of its great attributes. “President O’Brien isa dedicated union man. At membership meetings at the local, youcan see the passion he brings to this job.”Joe FotiSteward, UPSJoe Foti, a 16-year package-car driver for UPSin Chelmsford, has always been involved inhis union. Starting out as an alternate stewardin 1993, Foti learned the ropes, and has beenleading his co-workers by example ever since.“It’s been the greatest joy of my life servingLocal 25 and the International, trying to educate the membersand get them more involved,” Foti said. “We’re kind of insulated atUPS from the outside world because of our good jobs with securityand benefits. It’s important to me to make my co-workers aware ofwhat they have, who fought for those benefits and privileges, andabout the great contract they enjoy.”As a shop steward, Foti deals with day-to-day concerns andenforcement of the contract. UPS is a constantly changing business,with new managers, staff and technology appearing regularly; therefore,Fotiandhisco-workershavetobepreparedtoadapttothejoband to protect their rights at work.“No matter what, our Local 25 President, Sean O’Brien, hasimpressed upon us that we always need to be above the fray, be professionalin the room no matter how management behaves, and do thejob the best we can,” Foti said.Foti works on a daily basis with a wide range of people, from newTeamster members to 30-year Teamsters. Foti urges everyone to getinvolved in their union.“I tell everyone that each member is a steward. I implore them toget involved, no matter where they work. It’s great to be in a union likethe Teamsters, and every member should recognize that it is theirresponsibility to get involved,” Foti said.Tom AleksSteward, Stop & ShopSteward Tom Aleks has been with Stop &Shop since 1989. He is currently the stewardfor 35 members for the second shift inthe Grocery side of the Freetown distributionfacility.Aleks is a high-lift operator, and heenjoys his job as a steward. “I find the job as Steward to be bothgratifying and rewarding,” Aleks said in a calm demeanor. Tom is inhis ninth year as steward.Aleks is very impressed with the leadership team in place atTeamsters Local 25.“I am very pleased and impressed with President Sean O’Brienand his team at Local 25. I am glad we had Local 25 representing uswhen we negotiated the most recent contract.” Stated Aleks, “It wasa daunting task, I think we got a very fair deal for everybody and weclosed the gap on the two-tier wage system. I am so happy to bepart of Teamsters Local 25.”Tom Aleks feels bad when he can’t deliver for his brothers andsisters in the workplace.“The worst part of my job is when our members are not completelysatisfied with the result of a grievance or an issue I was called into help with,” Aleks said.However, Aleks works hard on behalf of his co-workers and issuccessful much of the time.The former United States Marine and Toys For Tots volunteerlives in East Bridgewater with his wife and two sons.www.teamsterslocal25.com | SUMMER 2009 | The SPOKESMAN | 25