Well Spring just blew into the prairies. We are about ready to blow away down here in Calgary. Hope you are enjoying the same.
Brother Finley is currently attending the Canadian National Executive Board meetings in Florida. Brother Eichel is in Scottsdale Arizona for the National Freight and Small Package meetings.
Brother Porter just returned from a week in Fort McMurray, where he attended the Arctic Winter Games. He had our semi and it was put to good use by event organizers.We have attached some pictures of the unit out on the frozen lake, as well as at other venues. Temperatures hovered at the -37 degrees plus windchill for the week of the games. However, those northern kids are a hardy bunch and they had a very successful event. Our truck looks pretty good, don't you think. We like to attend as many charitable events as possible to get our name "out there". During the year, we attend the Melissa's Run at Banff, the Labour Day barbeque in Edmonton, the Mountain of Toys at Christmas in Calgary, the Alzheimer run, and other events such as picket lines, organizing drives, etc. Watch for it, and stop by to chat with the boys.
Brother Porter is in Edmonton this week, with Brother Atkins, and Brother Wirch (Local 213 Kelowna) in negotiation meetings with Monarch Transport, in an attempt to get an agreement for the Monarch/Dempsey Owner Operators. He will be putting out a memo to those members on the progress of negotiations once he returns to Calgary. Later this month he will be in Vancouver to resume negotiations with representatives of CF Parcel Express.
Brother Wallace will be presenting the Company's offer to the Martin Brower members for ratification this week.
The Local Union has applied for the services of a Mediations Officer to assist in gaining a first contract for employees of Capital Environmental Resources Inc. who voted in favor of joining the Teamsters in December 2003.Brothers Bennett and Kemp have been working hard towards finalizing an agreement.
Proposal meetings have been scheduled for later this month for McMillan Transport employees, in both Meicine Hat and Calgary.
The Organizing Department is currently signing cards with employees of Aeroguard Inc. This company has recently be awarded the contract for pre-board screeners across the prairies, which was previously held by Group 4 Falk Canada. The change is to take place April 1. Sister Michelle Glubrecht (Jazz Flight Attendant) has been working with Brothers Doerksen and Frost on this project.
Recently, during the General Meeting in Edmonton, Brother Finley presented a retirement ring to Brother Leslie Barrett, a thirty year member with CFL. Brothers Eichel, Pearce and Norris are shown below at the head table, and we have a good picture of some of the members in attendance as well. We wish Brother Barrett, and all of our retirees, a long an happy, well-deserved retirement We have had a few more retirees requesting their ring or watch. Most recently were:
Luigi Ardolino, Calgary - 34 years , Leroy Steele, Edmonton -17 years, Dwayne Litke, Edmonton -15 years, Harold Scarrow, Red deer - 27 years, Ed McWhirter, Edmonton - 27 years.