Union Plus has awarded $150,000 in scholarships to 130 students representing 43 unions, including three children of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) members, in the 2011 Union Plus Scholarship Program.

(05/20/13) The tornado that killed 24 people in Moore OK has claimed the life of Richard L. Jones, a Tour 3 Clerk who was a member of the Oklahoma City Area Local. Jones worked at the mail processing facility, where was well-liked by his co-workers. At last count, at least 12 postal employees lost everything.

WHAT STARTED OUT as a loose network of retired Local D366 (Mississauga, Ontario) members that stayed in touch with one another has grown into something more, says Pierre Pommainville, who retired in 2009 from the Mississauga Cement Plant after 35 years. Pommainville organized a get-together for coffee back in 2010, and was pleased to see 15 retirees show up. That first event went so well that the group has more than doubled in size. Retirees from the Ogden Point Quarry are also part of the group.

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OPENING CEREMONIES FOR the Boilermakers' LEAP conference May 6-9 in Washington, D.C., included a stirring rendition of the National Anthem by the Boilermakers' own Mike Autry, BM-ST for Local 40, Elizabethtown, Ky.

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Consumer Price Index (CPI):
-0.4% in Apr 2013
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Unemployment Rate:
7.5% in Apr 2013
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Payroll Employment:
+165,000(p) in Apr 2013
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Average Hourly Earnings:
+$0.04(p) in Apr 2013
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Producer Price Index (PPI):
-0.7%(p) in Apr 2013
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Employment Cost Index (ECI):
+0.3% in 1st Qtr of 2013
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Productivity:
+0.7% in 1st Qtr of 2013
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U.S. Import Price Index:
-0.5% in Apr 2013
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U.S. Export Price Index:
-0.7% in Apr 2013
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May 22, 2012 – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has begun announcing grant awards for the Fiscal Year 2012 grant period. The announcements will continue on a rolling basis until all available funds have been awarded. The list of awardees is available on the Fire Prevention and Safety Awards page on the Assistance to Firefighters (FIRE Act) web site.

(05/20/13) Forty-seven members of Congress have signed a letter to Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe urging him to stand by his commitment to keep more than 70 mail processing facilities open until next spring. "We believe it would be imprudent of the United States Postal Service (USPS) to close or eliminate processing of mail, at any facility, ahead of schedule," the May 20 letter says. The letter was written in response to management's decision to close or consolidate 71 mail processing facilities this year that were scheduled for possible consolidation in 2014.

(05/20/13) Since the beginning of May, 18 more U.S. Representatives have signed on as co-sponsors of the Postal Service Protection Act (H.R. 630), a bill that would help solve the USPS financial crisis without hurting workers or downgrading mail service. The legislation has gained has 146 co-sponsors since it was introduced by Rep. Peter DeFazio (OR-4) on Feb. 13.

Today, the fight begins for a more prosperous, fairer economy for everyone. Workers Uniting, the global union formed by the United Steelworkers and the United Kingdom and Ireland’s Unite the Union, is hosting its first-ever economic policy conference, Building a Global Agenda for Shared Prosperity.

The conference in Toronto brings together labors and political leaders, economists, think tanks, workers, students and others to work on real solutions to the world’s economic woes. At the end of the meeting, a plan will be put forth offering concrete ideas for getting people back to work and for ending the painful austerity agenda that has been hurting ordinary people around the globe for far too long.

“What makes this gathering truly different is not just the exchange of ideas. What makes it groundbreaking is the idea that today is just the beginning of our fight. That we are not going to be content with just talking about a better way – we are leaving here with a solid plan and we will not stop until it is made reality,” USW International President Leo W. Gerard said in remarks opening the conference.

Click here to learn more about this historic event and to find out how you can join the fight. Then watch our opening video and pass it on. Use the #wubetterworld hash tag on social media and tell us what kind of world you are fighting for!

May 21, 2013 -- Approximately 1,700 IAFF members are located in the path of the massive tornados that devastated Moore, Oklahoma and a number of other Oklahoma cities, as well as communities in Kansas. The IAFF remains in communication with IAFF District Vice Presidents and state and affiliate leaders whose members are affected by these storms. Together, we have begun damage assessments, and the need for relief to IAFF members affected by the storm is critical.

Two Representatives from Each Local Review, Endorse Contract Press Contact Galen Munroe [email protected] 202-624-6904

(Chicago) – Leaders from about 160 Teamster local unions that represent ABF members unanimously endorsed a tentative master agreement and supplements today that covers 7,500 workers. The vote to support the tentative agreement and supplements paves the way for a vote by the members.

“Our members’ number one goal was to protect their health, welfare and pension benefits and we achieved this despite all the financial challenges the company is facing,” said Gordon Sweeton, Co-Chairman of the National ABF Negotiating Committee for the Teamsters National Freight Industry Negotiating Committee (TNFINC). “We also protected good Teamster freight jobs.”

The union negotiating committee has unanimously endorsed the tentative agreement.

The Teamsters were able to defeat numerous attempted takeaways sought by the company, including major cuts to health, welfare and pension benefits.

The tentative agreement does call for a 7 percent wage reduction, but that will be entirely recouped by the fifth year of the contract.

“Nobody ever wants to see a pay cut, but in light of the company’s struggles and our desire to see the company survive, something needed to be done,” Sweeton said. “It is in our best interests, as well as ABF’s, that this company be given a chance to climb out of this deep recession so that our members’ futures are protected.”

Ballots will be mailed out on or about June 3 and are due back on or about June 27 and will then be counted.

School Bus Drivers Unite for Respect

School bus drivers with Eastern Bus Company in Newton, Mass., have voted by more than a 4-1 margin to join Teamsters Local 25 in Boston. The 34 drivers united for respect, fairness and consistency in their working conditions. 

“These hardworking school bus drivers were brave to do what they did, to stand together and organize for a better workplace. We are proud to represent them and to welcome our newest brothers and sisters into our Teamster family,” said Sean M. O’Brien, President of Local 25.

Laniel Beauge, a driver with Eastern Bus, is happy to be a Teamster and is looking forward to having a Teamster contract.

“We called the Teamsters because we wanted a real union to improve our situation,” Beauge said. “We’re looking forward to having the respect and backing of a strong union. Teamsters Local 25 has great respect in the community.”

DETROIT -- UAW Vice President Cindy Estrada, disappointed and angered by the withdrawal of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from a Detroit hearing on foreclosures, will proceed with plans to co-host the May 20 event.

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THE BOILERMAKERS UNION honored Linda Sanchez as Legislator of the Year at the annual LEAP conference May 7.

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Hoffa Calls On Senate For Quick Confirmation For Labor Secretary Nominee Press Contact Galen Munroe [email protected] 202-624-6911

(WASHINGTON) – The Teamsters Union applauds the vote by the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee to approve the nomination of Thomas Perez for Labor Secretary. Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa expressed his hope that the Senate would move quickly to confirm Perez’s nomination.

“Thomas Perez is the right choice for Labor Secretary and the Senate needs to get him confirmed as soon as possible,” Hoffa said. “I believe that we can take a significant step toward getting this country back on track with Perez running the Labor Department.”

In his post as the assistant attorney general for civil rights, Perez settled the three largest fair lending cases on behalf of working families targeted by unfair mortgage practices. He fought to protect the rights of students to achieve a quality education, increased the enforcement of human trafficking laws and stepped up efforts to protect the civilian jobs of military personnel who are serving our country. He also has been a champion for voting rights. Perez previously served as Maryland’s Labor Secretary.

Perez is the son of immigrants from the Dominican Republic. When he was 12, his father died of a heart attack and a Teamster became a surrogate father to him. That bond helped create his lifelong support for labor unions.

“We have watched the middle class get the short end of the stick for too long,” Hoffa said. “We need a strong advocate for working families like Thomas Perez in the Labor Department if we are going continue down the long road toward restoring the middle class.”

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and “like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.