Parking lot meetings were held throughout the month of February & into March to inform our UPS Members of important contract updates.  Local 61 President, Mark Greene, informed everyone about our participation in the IBT's 'Contract Unity Pledge.'  Brother Greene met with these Members in Sylva and snapped a couple of photos from that visit.

Brother Greene also visited the UPS Franklin building and had a great show of support from those Members as well.  We apprecaite everyone's willingness to participate in these important upcoming contract negotiations for the 2023-2028 Contract.

On February 18th, Teamsters Local 61 participated in a legislative luncheon hosted by the WNC Central Labor Council.  NC AFL-CIO President Marybe McMillan outlined the goals for workers in our state.  Four (4) NC Legislators spoke at this event along with a Buncombe County Commissioner and an Asheville City Council Member.   

From left to right:

Tyler Murphy (UPS Shop Steward)

Brian Ball (Secretary-Treasurer)

Albert Arguelles (UPS Shop Steward)

& Kim Rhoney (Asheville City Council)

Julie Mayfield (NC Senator, Buncombe County)

Our Voice, an Asheville non-profit organization, recently voted to unionize.  These new members are working closely with Local 61 to get their very first contract negotiated.  Thank you to Our Voice members for your participation during these negotiations.  Everyone deserves a voice in their workplace!

Green Sage, a local cafe and restaurant, held a rally in Downtown Asheville on February 14th.  Along with their supporters, they raised awareness about to their right to organize their workplace.  Local 61 has filed a petition with the NLRB to hold a union election between Local 61 and Green Sage South employees.  We are currently waiting for the date to be set to hold this election.  Stay tuned for updates.

Click here for the WLOS News 13 Article

(Photo Credits to WLOS News 13 Staff)

H.R. 471 Threatens Worker and Motorist Safety

(WASHINGTON) – Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien sent letters to members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee urging them to oppose H.R. 471, the Safer Highways and Increased Performance for Interstate Trucking (SHIP IT) Act. The legislation, introduced by Representatives Jim Costa (CA-21) and Dusty Johnson (SD-AL), would jeopardize the safety of workers, motorists and any American that uses an interstate highway – all while doing nothing to address the root causes of our nation’s supply chain woes.

“Supply chain challenges and bottle necks over the last few years have laid bare a number of critical issues in the trucking industry, including the prevalence of poor working conditions, rampant and illegal misclassification of drivers under labor law, and the scourge of fly-by-night contracted and subcontracted motor carriers,” O’Brien said in his letter to the U.S. House of Representatives. “H.R. 471 looks to wrong and dangerous short-term ‘solutions’ to the very real legal and economic issues present in commercial trucking.”

The SHIP IT Act would allow for the introduction of heavier, more dangerous trucks on the road that are prone to more frequent and more severe crashes. It would also grant the Secretary of Transportation unjustifiable authority on size and weight requirements and gut fatigue protections for drivers carrying agricultural goods.

“The International Brotherhood of Teamsters welcomes important conversations about improving the trucking industry – for both drivers and the American consumer,” O’Brien said. “However, H.R. 471 is simply an anti-safety bill in sheep’s clothing.”

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.2 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and “like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.

https://teamster.org/2023/02/teamsters-oppose-ship-it-act/

Secretary-Treasurer Brian Ball met with a group of Local 61 retirees and discussed pension news.  The North Carolina Committee to Protect Pensions (NCCPP) has worked extremely hard to lobby Congress and advocate for protections of the earned pensions of our retirees.  NCCPP leaders Dale Hanner and Norm Parham gave updates concerning the Central States Pension Fund.  Brother Brian Ball gave updates to the group about active issues happening at Local 61 including upcoming negotiations for UPS, T-Force & ABF.  

On Saturday, January 14th, we had a good turn out at the monthly membership meeting.  Business Agent Tommy Pintacuda discussed upcoming negotiations with UPS & ways for our members to stay updated and involved.  New Officers were sworn in for the term of Jan. 2023 - Dec. 2025.  New Officers are as follows:

Secretary-Treasurer, Brian Ball

President - Mark Greene

Vice President - Ethan Carlton

Recording Secretary - Doug Carruthers

Trustee - Rodney Bagwell

Trustee - Justin Carswell

Trustee - Lee Player

Business Agent - Tommy Pintacuda

A Hallmark project titled, 'A Biltmore Christmas' was filmed in Asheville & Hendersonville, NC.  18 Teamsters Local 61 movie drivers worked on this production.  Since the 1990's, our Local Union has maintained a movie list for professional drivers who want to work in the TV or film industry.  This project was the latest film produced in our area.  Previous priojects have included; The Peripheral, Three Billboards, Dirty Dancing & The Hunger Games.

Read more …

December has been a busy month working to get all open UPS grievances settled. We had a productive Monthly Membership meeting even though most of our UPS Members had to work.  Several Members listened in via Zoom to our meeting this month.  

The IBT held a UPS Shop Steward Update Meeting on Sunday, December 18, 2022.  This conference call provided good information about the timeline of our upcoming contract and the need to keep our Members involved.

Business Agent, Tommy Pintacuda was selected to be on the Union Negotiating Committee for our AAPGC UPS Supplement. Tommy is excited about the opportunity to negotiate a contract with UPS and work hard to attain the necessary changes that we need.

Secretary-Treasurer, Brian Ball conducted contract ratification votes with our Members at DFA-PET Dairy in Asheville & Lenoir. The Members ratified the contract and we are awaiting the results from the other four (4) Locals involved.

Business Agent, Tommy Pintacuda has installed new Union bulletin boards at our new US Foods locations (Fletcher & Lenoir). We are working hard to ensure these Members get as much information as possible about the Union.

Local 61 Congratulates Recording Secretary, Randy Childres 

After 37 years of union service, Brother Childres recently retired from UPS in Lenoir, NC.  Randy has served on the Executive Board as a Trustee in 2004 and as Recording Secretary from 2008-2022.  At our recent monthly membership meeting the members recognized Randy with a plaque.  Randy has been very dedicated to our Local Union and has served as shop steward at UPS in Lenoir for roughly 30 years. 

Secretary-Treasurer Brian Ball commented, "Randy Childres set examples for others to follow when it comes to being a Teamster leader.  His integrity, passion to serve and dedication to our Executive Board will be missed." 

Randy is serving out the remainder of his term, through the end of December 2022.

 UPS Members Submit Contract Proposals

On November 4th, 2022, Local 61 forwarded many contract proposals to the Package Division at the IBT.  Our members highlighted the issues that are in need of change for our 2023 Contract.  Our Local Union plans to keep members informed and involved in these important negotiations.