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Robert M. Lennox, Secretary - Treasurer
Winter 2012
I AL
SPEC E
ISSU
Profiles in
Leadership
Pages 8 - 11
Aboard the Queen Mary
Pages 3-5, 12, 16
New HERTZ Contract Proves Local 495’s Power
Page 7
COOPER LIGHTING Ratifies 3-Year Agreement
Pages 14 & 15
a
A Message to the Members
b
by Robert M. Lennox
Secretary-Treasurer, Local 495
W
e did it! Despite the tens of millions in secret
money that came pouring in from billionaires,
out-of-state donors and the Koch Brothers to
pass the deceptive Prop 32, we succeeded in defeating
this bogus measure, demonstrating once and for all that
our democracy is not for sale, and California voters will
not be duped.
And we also succeeded in overcoming the 1%’s
onslaught of misinformation in order to pass Prop 30,
which means a brighter future for our schools, our kids
and our communities – and that’s something that no
billionaire or shady out-of-state front group can take
away.
We never could have achieved this victory without all
the dedication and support of more than 40,000 volunteers
who made phone calls and knocked on doors to get the
word out. You are the ones who made the difference.
On behalf of all working families in California, we truly
cannot thank you enough.
Today is certainly a day to celebrate, but our fight
is never over. In the coming weeks and months, we’ll
be fighting forward to create a brighter future for our
state. And we can’t succeed without you. We need you to
continue to be a part of our movement as we push for good
jobs, fair wages, decent benefits, retirement security and a
strong middle class.
Stay connected to our fight as we move
forward together into 2013!
Thank you again for all that you do.
We proved, once again, that when we all band
together, we are unstoppable. Our people
power will always trump their money power, as
long as we stay united and work tirelessly to
spread the word to others.
Don’t forget to check www.teamsters495.org for the latest information on upcoming events,
opportunities to take action, and more. In addition to timely updates, the site always provides
important documents such as grievance forms and change-of-beneficiary forms, as well as
videos and articles about all things 495. Link to Teamster Take Action campaigns, learn more
about your benefits, and even find contact info for legal counsel and notary service available to
you at no cost as a Local 495 member. All of this and more is at www.teamsters495.org.
Page 2
Local 495 thanked its shop
stewards for their hard work
and dedication at a Shop
Stewards Appreciation Dinner
Dance on the historic Queen
Mary ship early in October.
“W
e wanted to bring our
shop stewards together
and thank them for
the wonderful job they do for our
membership,” said Secretary-Treasurer
Bob Lennox.
Hundreds of couples graced the
Queen Mary, a grand 1930s ocean liner
that has been retired to Long Beach.
Shop stewards and their escorts were
treated to a steak or chicken dinner
aboard the ship, which brims with the
charm of a bygone era. They danced
enthusiastically to the live band.
“I loved the live music and the
view from the ship,” said Orlando
Hendrix, a driver and 18-year steward
with Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics.
Hendrix also was happy about winning
a $100 Visa gift card in the event’s
raffle. That night, 46 gift cards were
given to the shop stewards, ranging
from $100 to $1,000.
Event speakers paid tribute to
the shop stewards, with SecretaryTreasurer Lennox emphasizing
their valuable role in service to the
members. “Stewards are the backbone
of this local, the first place members
go when they have a question or a
problem,” he said. “Shop stewards
help us all make Local 495 the
best.”
Joint Council 42 President
and Teamsters International Vice
President Randy Cammack highly
praised voter registration drives
and voter turnout. “That makes the
difference in fighting current attacks on
labor unions. We are trying to preserve
and protect what we’ve worked so hard
for,” he stated.
Long Beach City Council member
Steven Neal also spoke about how
crucial it is that shop stewards stay
involved in the political process.
The Local 495 staff recognizes that
shop stewards must be well informed
and dedicated to serve members
well. They must be knowledgeable
about contracts, labor law, medical
benefits and more. For sharing all of
that knowledge and the many ways
stewards support members, the local
expressed its appreciation.
continued on next page
Page 3
Shop Stewards
Honored Aboard
the Queen Mary
continued from previous page
Shop stewards, in turn, created
a video tribute to SecretaryTreasurer Lennox. With a mix
of humor, nostalgia and respect,
they celebrated his twentieth
anniversary as their SecretaryTreasurer.
“The success of our shop
stewards and our staff provides the
highest quality of representation
for our members. This local is
very fortunate to have such great
teamwork,” said Lennox.
Newly appointed Local 495
President George Park summed it
up, “We wanted to thank the shop
stewards for all their hard work
and support, and to let them know
we appreciate everything they do
to help the local.”
more pictures on page 12
Page 4
Page 5
Ongoing Training For
Shop Stewards
L
ocal 495 shop stewards are well
trained to provide the highest
quality representation to the
local’s 8,000 members.
“Training has two important
objectives,” reported SecretaryTreasurer Bob Lennox. “The first
is to study important subjects like
negotiations, contract enforcement and
grievance procedures.
“Equally important is to have
the shop stewards interact with one
another, build camaraderie and learn
from each others’ experiences.
Training sessions take many
forms. Local 495 holds periodic
shop steward seminars and special
boot camps for specific challenges.
All shop stewards are encouraged to
attend monthly membership meetings.
Shop stewards receive training in
Page 6
a variety of areas, including problem/
conflict resolution, communication
skills, and the grievance process.
Instruction comes from
experienced training specialists, guest
speakers, attorneys and Teamster
officials.
Shop stewards gain skills
on handling their
responsibilities, building
membership participation, and
preparing for negotiations.
Seventy shop stewards attended
the most recent session, where
workshops were offered with practical
tips for the work sites, ideas for
involving more members, and ways
to connect with them in advance of
contract bargaining. These workshops
also gave the shop stewards renewed
confidence about monitoring and
enforcing the current contracts.
They also sharpened their
listening skills, a great tool to apply
to their interaction with members, and
they learned how to maintain strong
relationships with the Local 495
business agents.
“Shop stewards are on the front
lines at the work sites defending
the rights of the members, and I am
personally proud of every one of
them,” said Lennox.
“I want to thank every shop
steward for their support and energy.
Your steady commitment helps the
staff in providing Local 495 members
with the best representation possible.”
L
ocal 495 shop stewards are well
trained to provide the highest
quality representation to the
local’s 8,000 members.
After four months of tough
negotiations, members ratified a great
new five-year contract with Hertz
Rent-a-Car. Not only did workers
not lose any contractual ground,
they gained a wage increase of $3.05
over five years with many improved
benefits.
The contract covers 206 rental
and return representatives at Hertz
LAX, Burbank, Long Beach, Ontario,
and Orange County airport locations.
These sites have been unionized for
over 40 years.
Winning a strong, worker-friendly
contract was not easy.
“The negotiations were tough
and relentless,” said Business Agent
Jim Lennox, who negotiated along
with Business Agent Kevin Barrus
and an exceptional committee of shop
stewards and rank and file members.
“The company came to the table
with a shopping list of proposed
takeaways,” he said. “In the end, I am
happy to report that we came back
with a stellar offer and five years
of job security for our deserving
membership.”
Shop steward Nicki Taylor, who
has worked at the LAX location for
21 years, said, “We fought for every
nickel we won. They initially offered
$.05 total. Getting $3.05 over five
years is incredible in this day and
age.”
In addition to the pay raise,
the contract established seniority
protection for full-time employees
who become part-time, improved
medical and bereavement leaves,
and limits on mandatory overtime.
Employees now have the option to
cash out unused floating holidays.
The vote to ratify was one vote
shy of unanimous.
“The stewards on the negotiating
committee, Business Agents Jim
Lennox and Kevin Barrus, all put their
heart and soul into these negotiations.
It’s one of the best contracts we’ve
ever gotten,” Taylor said.
The committee included Taylor,
Michelle Wysocki, Pam Duffy,
Deshawn McLory, and Jason Thomas
from LAX; Joy Stewart from Burbank;
Joel Cabra from Long Beach; Diana
Hempy-Hulse from Ontario; Shari
Payne from Orange County; and
Lennox and Barrus from Local 495.
“This committee was a pillar of
strength. They persevered through
very tough negotiations. It was an
honor to work with them,” said
Lennox.
Local 495 represents numerous
rental-car companies, including
Avis, Budget, National, and Alamo.
Contracts for Avis at LAX, Burbank,
and Ontario airports are coming up
for negotiations early in 2013.
Secretary-Treasurer Bob Lennox
summed it up, “This contract proves
that our shop stewards and business
agents have the skills and strength to
win for workers even in the toughest
of climates.”
After four months of tough negotiations, members ratified a great new five-year contract with Hertz Rent-a-Car.
Page 7
Anthony Naranjo,
Aramark
Anthony Naranjo
Page 8
“Being a shop steward is sort
of like being a big brother,” said
Anthony Naranjo, a seven-year shop
steward and 26-year employee of
Aramark. “It’s my priority to help
keep people employed.”
Aramark provides food
services, facilities management and
uniforms to businesses, schools and
organizations around the world.
Naranjo works in the rental division,
supplying uniforms, industrial
textiles and restaurant linens.
As shop steward, Naranjo
advocates for more than 40 members
across multiple departments. Some
work with him in the rental division.
Others are drivers and utility
personnel.
“Everybody is concerned
about wages, and about health and
welfare,” Naranjo said. Members
frequently ask him about issues that
will come up in contract renegotiations.
Naranjo has participated in two
contract negotiations to date. “It’s
exciting,” he said, “but it can also be
frustrating. You have all these numbers
flowing; you’re asking for things, the
company wants other things. It’s an
interesting process, and I learn a lot
from it.” He hopes to be involved in
the next negotiations in summer 2013.
Business Agent Damascus
Castellanos is new to working with
Aramark, and appreciates Naranjo’s
longstanding commitment to Local
495.
Outside of work, Naranjo has been
married for 23 years and is a father
of four. “My hobby is my job and
being with my family,” he said. “Any
chance I get to spend with my family,
I’m happy.” Asked how he feels about
being a shop steward, Naranjo replied,
“I love it. If I can help somebody, I’m
all for it.”
Dion Predom, TCI
Tire Centers
really works,” he said.
A father of three, Predom worries
that most people don’t understand
unions. “The battles that we’re in right
“I never leave them hanging,”
now with
Dion Predom
attempts to
said in describing
take power
his approach as
away from
a shop steward.
the average
When members
worker– it’s
come to him with
not fair for
questions, he
the average
answers what he
working
can, and connects
person trying
them with the
to support
business agent
a family,”
when he’s not 100
he said. “I
percent sure of the
wish people
answer. “I either
understood
give them the info
what unions
myself or give
really are
them a route to
about.”
find it.”
He knows
Predom, an
fi
rsthand
the
initial inspector
Dion Predom
value of a good
and retread
union:
“Local
specialist, has
495
is
on
their
game
in
terms
of being
been at TCI Tire Centers in Fontana
involved
with
negotiations,
rallies,
for five years. For three years, he has
getting information out, and fighting
served about 60 members as chief
for the average worker. Bob Lennox is
shop steward.
a good guy, a straight shooter.”
“He’s a good guy to work with,”
Predom also appreciates Local
said Business Agent Humberto
495’s personal touch: “The Queen
Ochoa. “He puts out the smaller
Mary shop stewards’ appreciation
fires, and calls me when the situation
event was a great gesture to show some
really calls for my involvement.”
thanks to the shop stewards for what
This year, Predom participated
we do. They didn’t have to do that
in a contract negotiation. “I saw the
– any time someone says thank you,
way they negotiate, the give-andtake of the situation, how the process that’s a good deal.”
Page 9
Veronica Chavez,
Kuehne + Nagel
Veronica Chavez
Jorge Barron,
Kuehne + Nagel
Jorge Barron works with chief
shop steward Veronica Chavez at
Kuehne + Nagel’s Rialto warehouse,
representing 49 Local 495 members
there. A lead in receiving and
shipping, he has been at Kuehne +
Nagel for five years, serving as a
shop steward for the past two and a
half years.
Barron’s bilingualism has
been a boon. “The majority here
are Hispanic, and I share info with
everybody,” he said. “We now have
union books in Spanish, which is
very helpful. Before, there could
be as many as ten questions a day
from Spanish-speaking members.
Now they can find the answers to
many of those questions themselves.
Page 10
Just a couple months into being
a shop steward at her first union job,
Veronica Chavez found herself in the
midst of a contract negotiation. “It
was a big challenge, but I learned a
lot,” she said.
A few years later, facing another
negotiation with her employer
of six years, global logistics firm
Kuehne + Nagel, Chavez knows a
lot about what would be useful for
the members she represents. “We
need clear steps on how a write-up
process is supposed go, steps for
absences and tardies – little things
that are not in our employee book. It
would help us to have these things
clear,” she offered as an example.
Beyond negotiations, Chavez
supports members by addressing
their questions and concerns.
But at the same time, in answering
everybody’s questions, I learned a lot
about how to be a shop steward.”
Barron answers members’
questions about matters like where they
stand on vacation and sick days. He
and Chavez track write-ups by keeping
their own copies of the company forms
for future reference.
Business agent Humberto Ochoa
said, “He’s a great guy. He solves
problems and gets things done.”
“I like working for the union,”
Barron said. “Not only does it give you
a greater opportunity of keeping your
job, they’re always able to fight for you
– and I like the insurance, of course!”
However, Barron is nervous about
the recent political war on workers.
“It concerns me big time, how things
could change. It would be a tragedy for
us.”
Members frequently come to her with
questions about seniority, schedules
and insurance. She helps them interface
with the insurance company, making
sure they know what they need to do to
get their kids covered and more.
“This is the first time I’ve ever
been in a union and I think the local is
great,” said Chavez, who works as a
lead and forklift operator. “Every time
I call I can get answers to whatever
questions I ask.”
Business agent Humberto Ochoa
said, “Veronica handles a lot of
issues at her shop, from grievances
to questions about promotions. She’s
great to work with.”
And she feels great about her
work. “Being a shop steward means a
lot to me,” Chavez said. “I feel good
about myself, because I’m not just
helping myself. I’m helping other
people too.”
Jorge Barron, Kuehne + Nagel
A father of two, Barron plays
baseball every weekend, and
occasionally helps his father with his
landscaping business.
Gabriel Lopez, Ryder
Gabriel Lopez became a shop
steward because the members at his
work place needed him. “We didn’t
have a shop steward and I saw things
going on that I thought were not right,
so I saw Business Agent George Park
one day and said, ‘We need a shop
steward.’”
Lopez has worked for Ryder in
Rancho Cucamonga for six years. He
became shop steward this past year,
representing about 15 members. He’s
been learning as he goes, reaching out
to Park for information and support as
necessary.
At his shop, members perform
repairs and maintenance on leased and
rental trucks. Lopez does preventive
maintenance, such as oil
changes.
His co-workers come
to him with questions
about issues such as how
overtime works, seniority
and how to file grievances
when necessary.
Business agent George
Park said, “I appreciate
Gabriel’s initiative,
knowing the shop needed a
steward and stepping up.”
In an atmosphere of anti-union
legislation nationwide, Lopez said he
is “worried for the future.” He knows
what it’s like to work in a non-union
job. “The job I had before this, they
worked you to the bone, benefits were
crap, pay was crap. I’m proud and
Gabriel Lopez
happy to say that I’m part of Local 495.
In the six years I’ve been with them, I
have been able to stabilize my life and
get a good future.”
That’s important to him as a father.
“Kids grow up too fast,” he said. “Right
now when I’m not working, I spend as
much time with my family as I can.”
Mary Gavin,
Hertz
with various business
agents and leaders at the
local. “Bob Lennox, Jim
Lennox, Kevin Barrus,
Local 495 paid
all the gals in the office
tribute to longtime
– they’re the best,” she
shop steward Mary
said. “I love them and I
Gavin with a plaque
miss them. When I was
presented at the
battling my toughest
Shop Stewards
opposition, they were
Appreciation Dinner
always there for me.
held on the Queen
They knew exactly what
Mary. The plaque
to tell me to keep me on
honors Gavin, who
track, and supported me
retired in June, as “a
in tough moments with
Teamster’s Teamster.”
management.”
Gavin worked as
Married for 49 years,
Mary Gavin, Hertz, with Sec.-Treas. Bob Lennox and Bus. Rep. Jim Lennox
a bus driver for Hertz
Gavin has four children
at LAX from 1979 until
and three grandchildren.
one of the approximately 400 members
her retirement in June.
She
recently
relocated
to Palm Springs
she represented at any given time.
She was a shop steward for 27 years,
and
is
still
getting
used
to retirement. “I
“Once you become a Teamster, you’re
and chief shop steward for more than
still wake up early to go to work!” she
under our protection. I lived by that.
a decade.
smiled.
It wasn’t always easy, but I felt good
“I believe in equality and fairness
Gavin’s message to all Teamsters is
about it.”
in the workplace,” she said. She was
“Forward—with
union power!”
Over the years, she has worked
ready to go to bat for each and every
Page 11
continued from page 5
Page 12
Shop Stewards at Toyota Logistics Service
Raise Almost $5,000 for Disabled Member
I
rma Serrano, a Local 495
member who has worked
for seven years at Toyota
Logistics Service, was severely
injured in an off-road accident
in July. A single mother of four,
Serrano was visiting family when
she was thrown from an ATV,
resulting in severe spinal damage.
She was paralyzed from the neck
down.
Local 495 members at Toyota
Logistics Service raised over
$4,100 in a silent auction to help
Serrano. Members contributed an
array of items to the fundraising auction, including furniture
and sporting memorabilia. Additional cash donations
bring the total raised to date to almost $5,000, including a
significant donation from Secretary-Treasurer Bob Lennox.
“I am moved to see so many members at Toyota
Logistics Service supporting their sister member in this
time of need,” said Lennox. “My heartfelt good wishes go
out to Irma Serrano and her family.”
Serrano’s prognosis remains uncertain, but she has
begun to regain some spinal movement. She is still
confined to bed. She has moved in with her sisters in
Riverside while attempting to get into a residential
therapeutic facility.
“Everybody at Toyota Logistics Service loved working
with Irma,” said shop steward John Kobren. “She always
came to work with a positive attitude, bubbly, hardworking, and cooperative. We are all hoping for the best
for her.”
Any member or local union willing to lend a hand
to help a Teamster sister in need can assist Serrano and
her family by making a check or money order payable to
Irma Serrano, c/o Teamsters Local 495, 800 S. Barranca
Avenue, Suite 320, Covina, CA, 91723.
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Page 13
Cooper Lighting
Thirty-six employees at Cooper Lighting in
Bloomington have ratified an outstanding
contract as new Teamster members.
Local 495 members at Cooper Lighting
Page 14
Ratifies Teamster Contract
The three-year contract offers
improvements in wages, worker
protections and the grievance
process. Health and welfare and the
401k remain intact. “It’s the most
economically enhanced package these
guys have ever seen,” said Local 495
President George Park.
Forklift operator David
Dominador, who has been at Cooper
Lighting for eight years, contacted
the late Gene Rivera of Local 495 last
year. “I knew the Teamsters were a
force to be reckoned with,” he said.
“They spoke up for workers’ rights.
Our former union kept saying things
were at the company’s discretion. But
without workers they wouldn’t have a
business. With the Teamsters, we have
solidarity and a voice.”
The workers had been represented
by another union, but overwhelmingly
voted for Teamster representation and
looked forward to a new and better
contract.
“We wanted a union that’s going
to have some bite with its bark, and the
Teamsters’ history speaks for itself,”
said Jim Rush, a shipping clerk who
has been with Cooper Lighting and
its subsidiaries for thirty-six years. A
union man all his life, Rush is a new
and enthusiastic shop steward with the
Teamsters.
“Both the employer and employees
say it’s the best contract these
employees have ever had,” said Park.
Rush agrees: “I think it’s a record for
the best raise in a three-year contract
for us. Everybody is quite happy.”
Page 15
TEAMSTERS LOCAL 495
800 S. Barranca Ave., Suite 320
Covina, CA 91723
PRESORT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Los Angeles, CA
Permit No. 34694
Visit Your Union Web Site:
www
w.te
eam
msters4
495
5.orrg
SPECIAL
ISSUE
Thanking our shop
stewards and alternates
for the remarkable
service they provide.