August 1, 2008

Dear Brothers & Sisters;

    With the summer months quickly passing I would like to take this opportunity to update each of you on what has been happening at your Local Union.
    Your business agents have had many successes. Several people have been reinstated with back pay, one with over 40 days, and another with more than 30 days. These are not the only type of important victories but seem to get the most attention.
    Several issues were inherited by us and have been, by the most part, successfully cleared with the help of our members and stewards. By this I mean ongoing grievances, discussions with companies and a few arbitrations.
    One of the biggest gains of Local 886 is the improved relationship with many of the companies we represent and with our membership. This lets us work for you and your issues much easier.
    We hit the ground running in January with contract negotiations, ratifications and votes. Not all the talks are pleasant but all in all we have enjoyed improvements on most every aspect of many contracts; AWG, Kellogg, Sara Lee, Angelica, Car Haul and National Master Freight. The UPS Freight contract is to be ratified in August. We are getting a contract together for a small group of electricians at Tinker and a group of DHL drivers.
    The political season is in full swing and we will have several candidates speaking at the September 13th and October 4th meetings. Teamsters are voters and the politicians know it. We support good labor candidates and expect them to support labor issues. You can help by making sure your family, friends and neighbors are all registered to vote. They can register here at the hall if that is easier. Labor has lost a lot the last eight years. It's time we got something back.
    One of the many things your Union Hall has to offer is the Free Legal Clinic at 886. George McCaffrey, the local's attorney, is holding a weekly free clinic at the hall, every Wednesday morning from 8:00AM to about 1:00 PM. He is there for the members and their families to help with legal questions, advice and/or referrals on personal or work issues. George started working for Local 886 back in 1967 and knows his law.
    Also to help the members is a free notary service provided by either Margie or Debbie. They both are also very helpful with pension and insurance questions.
    Organizing is the lifeblood of our union. We have done some but need to do more. You can help. Everyday there are opportunities where something good can be said about being a union member. Your wages, pension, health insurance, help with safety issues or just basic work rules are things the majority of your neighbors, friends or family don't realize come from being a Teamster. Share that with others and help our local grow. One of these days our kids or grandkids may need a good union job.
    The October meeting is being changed to October 4th for 2 reasons: 1) We have a health fair on that day for all our members and their families and 2) we don't want to conflict with the many people planning something to do with the OU-Texas game on October 11th. More information on the health fair will come out later. Also, this year, we are taking donations and collections for the Christmas Connection. In the past Teamsters Local 886 has done an outstanding job supporting this very worthy charity.
    A few other issues need to be mentioned. Our building, like myself, is showing its age at times. We've done some A/C repairs, some roof repairs, worked on the doors in the meeting hall, scrubbed and buffed the floors and done some landscaping. We have been able to continue to pay down the legal debts handed down by the previous administration. What started at over $73,000.00 is now paid down to about $37,000.00. We are also paying bills related to some member's protest of the election in October 2007. The protest was heard and denied by the Joint Council 80 Executive Board according to the Locals By-Laws and the IBT Constitution. It was then appealed to the IBT Executive Board and General President Hoffa and once again denied as having no merit. The next step has caused and is causing much expense to the Local. The protestors then asked the Federal Government to have the Department of Labor get involved with our business. This administration did not run the election, but we defend it. It was closer than most, but it was the members decision that your Executive Board will uphold.
    All in all we continue to make progress, pay our bills and work with the members needs to the best of our abilities. The good things far out-weigh the problems. Remember, September 13th General Membership meeting, October 4th meeting and health fair. See you there.

                                                                                                                                                                                                    Fraternally, Teamsters Local 886

                                                                                                                                                                                                              Randall Loewenkamp
                                                                                                                                                                                                          President - Business Manager