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Teamsters Local 481 The outsourcing initiative proposed by San Diego City Councilman Carl DeMaio, which included overturning the Living Wage Ordinance, has been put on hold. This anti-working family proposal, which would have devastated our Union sisters and brothers who work for the City, will not appear on the ballot this November. While this is good news in the short term, it is a warning shot across the bow for all of us. Councilman DeMaio has made his agenda clear. He is determined to undermine generations of progress by public emp loyees and their Unions in order to make a name for himself. For some like DeMaio, when the going gets tough, such as during these trying economic times for the City, it is easier to scapegoat others rather than provide true leadership to solve these difficult problems. Despite all of the publicity that Councilman DeMaio receives when it comes to City financial matters, in all fairness, he does not own the monopoly on the scapegoating, finger-pointing and blame being spewed toward working families for the City's economic problems. There are plenty of our enemies who have come out of the woodwork to cast their lot against us. I think it would be good advice to learn a lesson from the bullet that we have been fortunate enough to dodge this time. Do not take this reprise for granted. The fact that this anti-worker initiative will not be on November's ballot does not mean that we will not see it or some version of it down the road. In fact, as we go to press, the City Council is wrestling with a budget crisis of such magnitude, that first responder services are literally on the chopping block. In order to diminish the guaranteed public outcry that would follow, a compromise, which would include an outsourcing timetable, is being debated at City Hall. In conjunction with the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council and other support organizations, Local 481 will continue to keep an eye on these activities at City Hall and keep you informed with the real story behind the headlines. The facts about the impact that balancing budgets have on working families will be told. Stay tuned to our website for the most up-to-date and accurate information on this developing situation. Remember that an attack on our brothers and sisters who work for the City of San Diego is an attack on all of us. Another battle taking place is obtaining passage of the EFCA. Senator Feinstein (CA) is currently not a co-sponsor. We are urging our members to call Senator Feinstein's office at (619) 231-9712 and let her know how important passage of the EFCA is to you and your family. This historical piece of legislation is vital to preserving the American Dream for all of us. The Teamsters International has a network with regional and local resources to monitor all of these concerns. That is the benefit of being part of an International Union. We possess the power to make a difference from Washington to City Hall. Our website has an array of resources tied in to all of these matters. Visit often and keep informed on these issues that are important to you and your family. In scholarship news, the 2010 James R. Hoffa Essay Contest is now available. This program is open to the children and grandchildren of our members who are enrolled in a Community College, 4-year institution or a technical/vocational program. The applicant must be 23 years of age or younger. Fifty $1000 scholarships will be awarded nationwide. The deadline for submitting the application and essay is September 30, 2010. You can contact our office (619) 282-2187 to have us send you an application or visit the International website (teamster.org) for more information. Proof that it pays off to participate in these various scholarship programs has hit home here at Local 481. We have been informed that Jesse Holt, son of Wild Animal Park Senior C&M employee Tim Holt, received an award from Joint Council 42's Scholarship program. Congratulations to Jesse and his family for participating in this worthwhile program. Jesse, we wish you the best as you continue pursuing your educational goals. A thank you goes to our members who work at Hertz under the Western Regional contract (VSA's and Mechanics) for providing the local with your input. Your ideas have been forwarded to the region and contract talks will begin this fall. On the issue of layoffs, we are advising all of our members who have been impacted by this, to make sure that your Employer has accurate and complete contact information (mailing address and phone number) in order to reach you should you become eligible for recall. It is also important to contact your health care administrator, whether it is through your Employer or through a Trust Fund so that they are fully aware of your employment status and you are up-to-date on your current and future eligibility options and coverage. Trust Fund contact information is listed at the end of this column, by calling our office, or visiting our website. Our General Membership meetings are usually scheduled for the 2nd Tuesday of the month (subject to change). The schedule includes two (2) meetings: the 1:00 p.m. meeting is held at the offices of Local 481 at 2840 Adams Avenue, Ste. 206; and, the 7:00 p.m. is at 3366 Adams Avenue (Normal Heights Masonic Lodge). We serve refreshments at the 7:00 p.m. meeting. As always, if you have a change of name, address or job status, it is important that you notify the Local Union at (619) 282-2187 and your Pension/Insurance Trust representatives. Members covered under the San Diego County Teamsters Employers Insurance Trust may call (619) 692-9755. Members with Insurance through Southwest Administrators and Pension through the Western Conference of Teamsters please call Southwest Administrators at (619) 287-0740.
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