2008 in Review

GENERAL TEAMSTERS, LOCAL UNION NO. 362
affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters

The year started with many changes, Brother Roy Finley stepped down as Secretary-Treasurer of the Local, further pursuing his career as Director of Construction, National Representative for Teamsters Canada.

Brother Rick Eichel was appointed as Brother Finley's successor to the position of Secretary-Treasurer and Principal Officer of the Local. Brother Al Porter accepted the appointment for President of the Local Union at the same time.

In early 2008 the Local brought on two new Business Agents. Brother Bernie Haggarty came to the Local from Allied Systems in Calgary and Brother Wayne Garner formally from Grimshaw Trucking was hired in Edmonton. Nancy Southgate joined the Calgary office at the same time to replace Jean Adrian who retired, and Melinda Hagell started in May part-time to assist in the Edmonton office. In December Fort McMurray Business Agent Rick Prouty was transferred to work out of the Edmonton office, and Brother Nigel Brown-Warr was hired as his replacement. Brother Brown-Warr was formally employed with Diversified Transportation for 20 years.

In 2008 as our boom of the last eight years continued on, the province went through an incredible period of economic growth and employers searched continually for employees. This brought about very succcessful negotiations through to the end of the third quarter, which we have noted later in this update.

In September 2008 our Industrial Construction Members voted to add 105 new Members to the Board. Those Permits were moved to the board based on hours worked September 2007 to October 2008. Recently the Local invited these new Industrial Construction Members to attend a Membership Orientation. The orientation included the history of the Union, the Union's structure and various other topics. The orientation was put on by Brother Roy Finley, National Representative, Teamsters Canada and the meetings were well attended.

Aimee St. Laurent our Training Coordinator for the Pipeline and Construction Division, put on several courses throughout the year: Dangerous Goods, First Aid, Forklift, CSTS, PCST, Rigging, Cargo Securement, Rough Terrain Forklift , Toolhound Training and Warehouse Testing.

The Movie Division had a very good year completing 16 television and film productions. The episode productions provided work for crews for 22 to 39 weeks and the other productions provided on average, 5 weeks work. At this time the Local is working on their first production of the year, which is a Movie of the Week for ABC Family and we are heading into the third season of Heartland for CBC, which airs Sunday evenings at 7:00 p.m.. We are anticipating the second season of Wildroses and a third series of Lionsgate to commence shooting this July in Edmonton.

Presently Brother Al Porter, Local 362 President and Teamsters Canada Movie Division Director, is working with other Local Unions to garner more Teamster jurisdiction.

Shop Steward Seminars will be held again April 4 & 5 in Calgary and May 30 & 31 in Edmonton. This will be a Level 2 course, that will prove to be beneficial to those Shop Stewards attending.

For the second year Michelle Glubrecht and Aimee St. Laurent will be leading teams in Calgary and Edmonton for the CIBC Run For The Cure to be held this fall. As of yet we do not have a Fort McMurray organizer for a team. If interested please contact your Local Union office. Our thanks to Michelle, Aimee and all participants.

Blackhorse Transportation - three year contract, at 6%, 4.5%, 4.5%.
Brinks - 4 year term expires 2011, wages up to 6.5% year one, up to 5.5% year two, up to 5.5% year three and up to 5% year 4, and improvements to health and welfare.
Canadian Diabetes Clothes Line Employees - two year deal beginning March 2008 with a 7% increase in each year plus a 100% buyout of unused sick days at year end.
Custom Carriers - three year contract, at 6%, 4.5%, 4.5%.
Delta Transport - three year contract, at 6%, 4.5%, 4.5%.
Diversified Transportation, Transit Division Fort McMurray - three year term, $4.50 first year, $1.46 second year, $1.40 third year, overtime after 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week.
G4S - agreement settled, 3.5% to 6.5% increases over the term, large increases to pension, agreement expires in 2010.
Halcon Crew Transport - four year deal effective August 1, 2008, a 26.5% increase over the term of the agreement for the Yard Drivers, a 25% increase over the term of the agreement for Highway Drivers, full pay for all wait time, increase to minimum trip pay in each year.
Inland, Camrose - 2 year agreement, $3.50 first year, $2.50 second year, portion of wage increase allocated to pension as directed by Membership, $2000.00 signing bonus, time and a half after 8 hours and double after 12 hours, double time Saturday and Sunday, Leduc rate when working in Leduc.
Inland, Edmonton - 2 year agreement, $3.00 first year, $2.25 second year, pension $0.15 first year, $ 0.15 second year, double time Saturday, $2000.00 signing bonus.
Inland, Leduc - 2 year agreement, $3.12 first year, $2.25 second year, portion of wage increase allocated to pension as directed by membership, double time Saturday, $2000.00 signing bonus.
Inland, Calgary - $4.00 and $3.00 on wages and pensions, plus improvements to overtime and working conditions, $1500.00 signing bonus.
Inland Pipe, Calgary - $3.00 and $1.50 on wages, $0.70/hour over 2 years to pension plan, $500.00 signing bonus first year, $500.00 signing bonus second year.
Lafarge, Calgary - $4.00 and $3.00 on wages plus improvements to overtime and working conditions, $1500.00 signing bonus.
Lafarge Pipe, Calgary - 7% over 2 years to wages, improvements to health and welfare, $0.60/hour to pension plan.
Lafarge, Fort McMurray - three year term, $4.00 first year, $1.00 second year, $2.00 third year, Nomex winter jackets supplied by company.
MacCosham Commission Operators, Edmonton - expires 2010, $2.00 increase in wages over the term, $2.40 to $3.40 per hour over the term to RRSP.
Mammoet - three year contract, 6%, 5% and 5% plus additions to pension and sub-allowance.
MTE Logistix - three year agreement, $2.50 first year, $1.02 second year, $1.08 third year, increase to pension contribution $0.55/hour over term.
Peace Wapti School Division No. 76 - one year agreement, 4.53% increase.
PeBen - three year term, up to $3.00 increase year 1, up to 4% year 2, up to 4% year 3, and improvements to health and welfare.
Premay - three year contract, at 6%, 4.5%, 4.5% plus new classification for SPMT Operator, pension increase and sub-allowance of $150.00, Fort McMurray members at a higher rate of pay for cost of living compensation.
Rebel Transport - three year contract, at 6%, 4.5%, 4.5%.
Spectrum Supply Chain, Calgary - three year term, $3.55 increase in wages over the term, large increases to pension plan.
Starline Transfer - three year contract, at 6%, 4.5%, 4.5%.
Tiger Courier - thirty-one month contract effective November 2008 with a 12% increase over the term of the agreement for Owner Operators, 18% over the term of the agreement for Company Drivers, 19% increase over the term of the agreement for Dock Workers, $250.00 signing bonus for all classifications.
Trans Tech - three year contract, at 6%, 4.5%, 4.5%.
Victors Transport - three year contract, at 6%, 4.5%, 4.5%.

Looking forward, the Organizing Department of Local 362 started off well in 2009, making two applications for certification. A provincial jurisdiction (A.L.R.B.) application for First Student (Cardinal Coach Lines Ltd.) in Grande Prairie was made for 55 employees. Second application made was for National Fastfrate of Calgary under federal jurisdiction (C.I.R.B.) for 20 employees.

First Student is a large company out of the UK that has purchased a majority of the school bus industry in North America. The International (I.B.T.) organized almost 10,000 Members in 2008. Local 362 enlisted rank and file Members to help organize this industry that truly needs representation. We are attempting to contact approximately 2,000 school bus drivers at many locations, therefore it will take some time but the Local is committed and will strive to do what we can. Our thanks to the rank and file Members who worked so hard on the drive: Sue L'Archeveque, Rick Bergman, Ramil Vitug and Stacy Tulp. Our Members are our best organizing tool. Should someone you know need representation at their place of employment please contact our Organizer, John Doerksen (403) 259-4608 or (403) 861-1823.

The Teamsters are putting together an organizing drive to pursue Fed Ex. Fed Ex is an anti-union camp that competes directly with other Teamsters in the courier business such as UPS & Purolator.

Although Industrial Construction has seen delays on projects and work has slowed down in many other divisions, we are confident that Alberta will still be busier than most of North America. Labor leaders are currently lobbying for change and decisive action in an effort to promote stability in the workforce.

Your Membership status in the Local Union is very important. Upon termination, layoff, leave of absence or change of employment, you are advised to come in or contact the Local Union office to obtain a Withdrawal Card. Effective January 1, 2009, there is no fee for the Withdrawal Card.

For more information regarding your Local Union please attend monthly General Meetings.