If you follow the news about
Illinois’ dire financial straits,
you might get the impression
that the entire state and all its operations
have ground to a halt.
That’s not the case. Thousands
of hard working state
employees continue to do their
jobs, despite threats to their
healthcare and pensions, and
disparaging remarks about their
worth. The private sector is
fighting back from the recession
and doing what it takes to keep employees on
the job and keep the economy going.
At Local 916, we continue to work on your
behalf. Take a look at page 12 and the list of
contracts negotiated and settled in the last few
months. The employees covered by these contracts
are making progress in the area of salaries,
benefits and working conditions, despite
the world we live in these days.
Now, more than ever. Union Strong.
Get Ready for Election Season
We get a reprieve until
about Labor Day, then the
onslaught of campaign TV and
radio ads will proceed to
drown out just about every
other sound between now and
November.
Don’t let the circus overshadow the substance
this fall, though. There is a lot at stake
for working men and women in this presidential
election.
The International has formally endorsed
President Obama and, as part of the leadership,
we stand behind them. We are urging our
membership to look at the records of both, to
think hard about what’s in the best interest of
labor, and then vote accordingly.
In the Know–Hostess Negotiations
We know how much is at stake for our
members whose livelihoods are affected by the
future of Hostess and Interstate Brands. And
there is nothing more unnerving than not
knowing where negotiations stand.
That’s why the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the IBT Locals
are maintaining websites dedicated to keeping
workers up to speed.
Our goal is your goal – preserve pensions
and minimize concessions, while helping the
company avoid insolvency. They are in serious
trouble, and it’s going to take a joint effort and
shared sacrifice to put this company, and the
jobs at stake, on the road to recovery.
Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Until next time,
