Here we are, drowning in Spring rains, but the grass will be green and summer holidays upon us very soon now.
Negotiations are going well. We have recently signed collective agreements for NIC Company Drivers, Fort McKay Transportation Limited, Lafarge Ft. Saskatchewan mixer drivers, Clarke Transport Calgary and Edmonton, Peace Wapiti School Bus Drivers, Inland Concrete Camrose and Leduc mixer drivers, BFI Canada Inc Edmonton drivers, Redcliff Fiber LP and BURNCO Calgary Shop Employees.
Brothers Porter and Frost have been busy in the movie industry. Since December, they have negotiated and signed the following - Secret of the Nutcracker, Christmas Miracle, To Serve and Protect (a movie about the tragedy at Mayerthorpe where four RCMP officers died) Holiday in Handcuffs, Christmas in Wonderland, and Wednesday's Child. There are several more movie projects in the works.
Currently we are in conciliation with Allied Systems (Canada) Company, PLH Aviation Services Inc, and MacCosham Commissioned Operators. Meetings are continuing, and we hope to have agreements in place for these members shortly.
The General Meeting dates have been updated. Please check the events page for dates in your area. These meetings are held for your information, and day to day Union business is discussed to give you an idea of what goes on in both your division and the numerous other divisions within the Local's jurisdiction. Please make every effort to attend at least a few of these meetings.
Retirement awards have slowed down for a while but the most recent are - William DeBoer after 26 years with Allied Systems Canada Company Calgary, John Manning, 27 years with Grimshaw Trucking Edmonton, Roland Dufton 20 years with Byers Transport Edmonton.
Our own Lynne Ingram retired in May after 26 years with the Local Union and Prairie Teamsters Administration Services. Lynne was a valuable employee and her vast knowledge of the Health & Welfare Plan will be greatly missed. Anne Reynolds has been hired to replace Lynne, and we trust that you will welcome her to this position.
Teamsters Local 362 and the Teamsters Rail Conference in Calgary recently jointly hosted a charity golf tournament at D'Arch Ranch Golf Club in Okotoks, in support of Brianne's L.E.A.P of Hope. this is a charity which Local 362 has supported for the past five years, by providing our tractor trailer free of charge to a run held to raise funds to provide research funding to find a cure for leukodystrophy, a disease which affects the white matter of the brain. It attacks the insulating layer covering the nerves of the central nervous system, slowly degenrating and causing loss of motor function and paralysis. Brianne Zabot succumed to this disease at the age of 4 and her parents have established this foundation in her name. Over the past five years they have raised over $85,000.00 with their yearly run in Brianne's name. As well, this year the Calgary Flames and Calgary Rotary Clubs announce their joint project to build a hospice facility for children in Calgary, and a portion of the money raised by Brianne's LEAP of Hope will be directed towards that facility. Our tournament was held on May 31st, and the final numbers are not in yet, however we are confident that we will be providing the charity with a cheque for a minimum of $10,000.00. Many of your employers stepped up and sponsored our event with both money and gifts for the prize table. We have had nothing but good comments about the event, and look forward to possibly hosting another tournament next year.
Over the past several years, Officers of the Local Union have taken part in a fundraiser held in Las Vegas each year to raise funds for the James Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund. These scholarships are open to children and grandchildren of Teamster members, and application forms are available from the Local Union offices in your area. Several scholarships have been awarded to Local 362 family members. Last year a young man from Spruce Grove received a $10,000.00 scholarship, and we have attached a copy of his thank you letter. So far this year, we have received notification that two young people whose parents work within our jurisdiction have been awarded scholarships, one for $10,000.00 and another for $1,000.00. If you have children or grandchildren who are planning on continuing their education after high school, and who might qualify for a scholarship, please don't hesitate to contact your Local Union representative for information and application forms. These are very generous amounts, and would certainly help with the every rising costs of higher education.