Teamsters Local 406

News & Notes

GOVERNOR GRANHOLM APPOINTS RON HOLZGEN TO THE SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

Ron Holzgen, Secretary Treasurer of Teamsters Local 406, was recently appointed to the Supply Chain Management Development Commission by Governor Granholm to serve a 1 year term beginning June 1^st, 2009 and did not hesitate to accept this responsibility.

Ron and the rest of the commission will be meeting periodically to create a plan that will attract, support, market, and “grow” the international trade, supply chain, and logistics industries by advising on the development and coordination of state transportation and economic development policies.

An appointment to a state commission is a great honor for both Ron Holzgen and Teamsters Local 406. Ron is excited to have the opportunity to serve the state and be a voice for his members and labor as a whole on the Supply Chain Management Commission.

RIGHT TO WORK FOR LESS

During these tough economic times, every union member should take a minute to reflect on the value of having a union in their workplace. The union advantage improves the quality of life for members and society in general. Unfortunately, we are all so used to the advantages we have that we take them for granted. Advantages like the 40 hour work week, the fact that we have weekends and lunch breaks, workers’ compensation if we are injured and unemployment insurance if we are laid off. It’s easy to take such things for granted, but someone fought for these advantages and that someone was more often than not a union member.

Unions have raised the standard of living for us here in Michigan through better wages, affordable health benefits, pensions, and workplace safety standards. But now, we are witnessing an organized attack on unions funded by radical right wing interests. This spring, “Right to Work” bills were introduced in the State House and Senate. Out of state right wing groups are threatening to put right to work on Michigan’s 2008 ballot. These efforts are meant to break and bankrupt unions by forcing unions to use their resources and members’ dues to represent workers who refuse to pay dues.

Right to work laws impose an unfair burden on union members who want to join the union and pay their fair share. These laws are intended to suppress union membership, drag the union down from “free riders” and weaken the union’s ability to provide aggressive representation for workers. It’s no wonder unscrupulous employers and right wing fanatics would love to pass right to work in Michigan.

But, what’s in it for workers? The quality of life for workers in “Right to Work” states is a sorry record:

Workers in right to work states earn $5900 a year less;
The percentage of families without health insurance is 20% higher in right to work states;
The maximum weekly workers’ compensation benefit is 25% less in right to work states;
In 2000, the infant mortality rate in right to work states was 17% higher;

A 2006 AFL-CIO health and safety study sited the rate of workplace fatalities as 41% higher in “right to work” states.

Michigan has seen tough economic times, but there is no evidence that “Right to Work” is the solution we seek. There is an abundance of evidence that “Right to Work” would leave our state with a greatly diminished quality of life that would drive away good employers and the young workers who are the future of this great state.

TEAMSTERS SCHOLARSHIPS

For those of you who have a child planning on attending college soon, there are two different scholarships available to children of members of Teamsters Local 406. One of them is the James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship (which is also available to grandchildren of members) and the other is the Robert Holmes Scholarship. In the past we have had several winners from our local so if you have a student who does well, please contact our office for the applications. The applications are usually available just before Christmas and are due the end of March.

JAMES R. HOFFA MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

31 - $10,000 AWARDS

69 - $1,000 AWARDS

The James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship is offered to sons, daughters, and grandchildren of active, retired, disabled, deceased, or laid-off Teamster members who plan to attend a 4 year accredited college or university. Applicants must currently be a high school senior in the top 15% of their class, have excellent SAT or ACT scores, and demonstrate financial need. Please contact the local for more information.

ROBERT HOLMES SCHOLARSHIP

6 ONE TIME AWARDS OF $1000

The Robert Holmes Scholarship is offered to dependents of Michigan Teamsters pursuing a program of higher education in the State of Michigan at an accredited 2-4 year public/private college, university, or technical college. Applicants must currently be high school seniors with at least a B average, planning on attending college in the fall. Please contact the local for more information.

MAKE YOUR MARK IN HISTORY!

Buy a brick to support the Spirit of Solidarity Monument in Downtown Grand Rapids. This monument is a tribute to our ancestors in the building of the American Labor Movement and can be visited at the Ah-Nab-Awen Park at the entrance of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. If you would like to purchase a brick, please contact us at 1-800-626-6211 and we will send you a form to fill out. The brick will be engraved with your name or reasonable choice of message up to 3 lines (14 characters each).

For more information http://www.laborheritage.com

WITHDRAWAL CARD NOTICE

Always obtain a Withdrawal Card when leaving a job or when you are going to be off work for more than a full calendar month due to lay off, sick leave, FMLA, Military duty, or leave of absence. If you do not obtain a Withdrawal Card, under the Union’s Constitution, you will have to pay back dues and/or a re-initiation fee.

You can apply for a Withdrawal Card in person at the Union Hall or by mail. To apply by mail, please send a note with your Name, Social Security #, Company, Last day of work, reason for being off work, and a check or money order for .50 cents to Teamsters Local 406, 3315 Eastern Ave. SE , Grand Rapids, MI 49508. (Please do not send quarters in the mail, they usually do not make it here.)

LEGAL SERVICES

Legal services are available to Local 406 members and retirees on the third Monday of every month at the Union Hall. Please call 1-800-626-6211 or (616)452-1551 to schedule an appointment.

MICHIGAN CONFERENCE OF TEAMSTERS INSURANCE REPRESENTATIVE

A Representative from Michigan Conference is available to answer your insurance questions at the Union Hall on the third or fourth Tuesday of every month from 10 am until 2 pm. Please call the hall to verify the date she will be here if you are interested in meeting with her.

RETIREES CLUB

The Teamsters Local 406 Retirees Club meets in Mackey Hall on the first Wednesday of every month from September thru June. They host various luncheons, activities, and outings throughout the year. If you are interested in joining the club, please contact Lorena Brown at 616-457-9347.

TEAMSTERS 406 STORE

If you are looking for something to show off your Teamster Pride, stop by the Hall and check out our Teamster’s Local 406 Store. We carry many t-shirts, sweatshirts, coats, hats, mugs, decals, and other items with the Teamsters Local 406 logo.