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Organizing News

Organizing

Organizing campaigns are an important activity for both our union and for the workers involved. Our union benefits from the added strength of more members so that we can negotiate better contracts and support laws favorable to working class Americans. The workers can gain new rights and benefits, fair treatment and increased pay levels with a union contract. Many organizing efforts are ongoing throughout New England.

Tell working friends about the benefits you personally receive from membership in your local Teamsters union. Just hearing from you about the better pay and health insurance you get, the pension you're looking forward to or maybe your job security under a union contract will help these workers better understand what could also be theirs.

Remember that you are our best contacts for all organizing efforts. You are a face and a voice that they can see and talk to. We all know how much better off we are with a union, feel free to let others know too.

November 16, 2007

DERRY BUS DRIVERS VOTE OVERWHELMINGLY TO JOIN TEAMSTERS LOCAL 633

Despite driving rain and winds in excess of fifty (50) miles per hour, the men and women of First Student Bus Inc. of Derry New Hampshire voted by a margin of almost five to one (5-1) to join Teamsters Local 633.

Principal Officer David W. Laughton stated, “These men and women showed the true spirit of unity and solidarity that is necessary to turn out such a great vote. We welcome the latest addition to Local 633 and look forward to negotiating their first contract.”

Organizer Roger Travers said, “With the merger of Laidlaw and First Student, these employees quickly realized that without a strong Teamster contract to protect their rights and give them the respect they deserve, things were really a crap shoot and nothing was guaranteed. I really attribute this victory to the hard work and dedication of the organizing committee. Without them, this was absolutely not possible.”

The sixty-five (65) employees serve multiple school districts in New Hampshire. The employees rallied around the Teamsters Joint Council 10 tractor-trailer, which was on hand to provide support. Principal Officer David Laughton said, “The merger of Laidlaw and First Student has caused quite a stir in the student transportation industry. In this time of corporate greed and skyrocketing CEO salaries, the Teamsters have made it their business to protect the unprotected and level the playing field in favor of these employees who carry our most precious resource, our children, who are the future.”

A request to begin negotiations has been issued, and contract proposals are currently being scheduled.

Rockingham County Deputy Sheriff's Department
Voted Unanimously to Join Teamsters Local 633 of NH

On Wednesday, August 2, 2006, in a vote conducted by the New Hampshire Public Employees Labor Relations Board, the Rockingham County Deputy Sheriff's Department, by a vote of 15-0, joined the ranks of Teamsters Local 633 of NH. Secretary/Treasurer and Principal Officer of Teamsters Local 633, David W. Laughton, stated, "The Teamsters are on the move!" Local 633 continues an aggressive campaign to organize the unorganized, and improve the lives of working families throughout New Hampshire. These people have taken the all important first step, and Teamsters Local 633 will help them along the way."

This organizing campaign was won in the face of fierce opposition, from the administration and their Attorneys, but the employees held strong. This organizing drive was a combined effort from Teamsters Joint Council 10 of New England and Local 633's organizing department.

Local 633's organizer Richard Laughton stated, "These people needed to have a voice with strong backing to speak to them." Joint Council 10 organizer Roger Travers stated that, "Organizing with the Public Sector is extremely busy right now, throughout the region, and Joint Council 10 is ready, willing, and available to serve the needs of all Locals throughout the Joint Council."

Joint Council 10's Principal Officer David Laughton said that the Rockingham County Deputy Sheriff's decision to join Local 633 was the latest in a near record year for organizing throughout New England and that this proved that the organizing program put in place by the Hoffa Administration certainly has positive momentum.