A Short but Nice Article on DNA Info
CityLimits Story
The new issue of Citylimits Magazine features Local 814 President Jason Ide, Richie Johnson and Mickey Flath. Click here to read the full article. ...Read the story »
There’s been a lot of press lately on the Sotheby’s lockout. See a few links below:
Art Handlers Take to Picket Line After Dramatic Weekend
“A well-dressed doorman wasn’t the only person greeting visitors atSotheby’s Upper East Side location this weekend. Members of the auction house’s art handlers union picketed the sidewalk all day Saturday and Sunday, brandishing signs that read, “Stop the War on Workers.” The protest marks a dramatic turn in contract negotiations, which have been underway since May. On Friday, the 43 union art handlers, whose contract expired at the beginning of July, received letters telling them not to come to work on Monday. The auction house has locked out workers until the two parties can agree on a contract.
Art Info August 1, 2011
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Auction House Workers Reach Contract Agreement with Christie’s |
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Teamsters Local 814 has reached a contract agreement with Christie’s, the New York auction house that caters to the wealthy with an appetite for priceless art and antiques. After weeks of negotiations, an agreement was reached Tuesday night, April 19th. The contract increases the number of Teamsters who handle millions of dollars worth of art and collectibles each week from 40 to 51. In addition, Christie’s has agreed to train ten on all temporary workers to supplement the Teamsters workforce. The deal comes less than two weeks after a rally outside the famed auction house where Teamsters and supporters protested the use of temporary and part time subcontractors instead of hiring full time workers. Local 814 President, Jason Ide called the agreement a victory, saying Christie’s management were in part persuaded by the rally. “Ultimately, they listened and realized the value of investing in a team of experienced workers who know the ins and outs of the art house business.” Ide went on to say, “I believe there has been a shift in corporate philosophy of the 1990’s where it was believed to be inefficient to use in house employees and less expensive to farm out the work. But the reality is experienced full time workers are a better investment. Staff workers are more loyal and have years of experience to do the best job.” The union has secured a continuation of pension and medical benefits and wage increases for the rank and file. Contract details include salary increases commensurate with experience. For a newcomer the starting salary has been upped to $17.50 an hour with increases eventually reaching $19.50 per hour. Ide, the 28 year old union leader, who was brought into power in 2009 on a reform slate says, “It is always a struggle for unions to win what is right for its members.” But he says hopes this agreement with Christie’s will reverberate in all upcoming union negotiations, including the one facing Local 814 in July with another big auction house, Sotheby’s. A Christie’s spokesperson declined comment on the agreement explaining that the auction house doesn’t comment on company matters. |
April 22, 2011 Email This Post
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MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
Teamsters Local 814 took big steps in 2010.
We restored our health insurance after drastic cuts and now we have a Blue Cross/Blue Shield plan we can be proud of.
We negotiated strong contracts for our moving and storage companies that made real gains for members. We protected our pension fund and the 25-and-out service pension. We also organized five new companies.
We saw other gains as well. The City Comptroller’s Office awarded Local 814 the prevailing wage. We saw members out in the streets for the first time in years, handbilling and picketing substandard companies.
I’m proud of every member who pitched in and made these gains happen. It took more than aggressive leadership—it took members fighting back and pitching in when they could. But the work doesn’t stop there.
At the last general membership meeting, a shop steward stood up and made a motion that every member put in four days per year to help the union protect our jobs.
This is what is going to take. Unity. Action.
Christie’s, Sotheby’s and New York Racing Association contracts all expire in 2011. Every 814 member needs to stand behind these workers in their struggle for good contracts.
The leadership of Local 814 is committed to putting our all into making this union as strong as it can be. Now we need your help too. Step forward. Now is the time to act.
Sincerely,
Jason Ide Richard Johnson Mickey Flath
President Secretary-Treasurer Vice-President
[excerpted from the Teamsters Local 814 Newsletter]
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Local 814 Wins Big in Master Moving Contract
At a time when many unions have taken concessions, Local 814 took back. The master moving and storage contract restored medical benefits, protected 25 and out pensions and gave big raises to drivers, foremen, and lower-tier workers.
After more than fifteen years of concessions, Local 814 has finally negotiating a contract members can be proud of. On May 2nd, members overwhelming voted to ratify the contract, which sets the standard for the industry city-wide.
Lead by President Jason Ide, the negotiating committee fought hard to make gains that would benefit the members. The union also fought off a barrage of employer demands, including proposals to eliminate 25 and out and pro-rata vacation.
“It seemed like the union was going down the drain,” said Eagle shop steward Kevin Mahon. “I can’t believe how much we’ve turned things around.”
“In this depression economy and with owners used to getting whatever they want, it’s incredible what our union was able to win,” Mahon said.
“We couldn’t have done it without the rank-and-file,” said 814 President Jason Ide. “Members showed up to meetings, prepared for picketing and wore their 814 buttons on the job. We looked like an army that was ready to fight.”
“We got a chance to get involved and we took it,” said Andrew DiClemente, a bargaining committee member. “The companies saw the membership was united like never before. They knew we were serious about not settling short.”
[From Local 814 Newsletter]
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President Jason Ide, Richie Johnson and Mickey Flath in Citylimits Magazine
http://www.citylimits.org/news/articles/3932/a-young-gun-for-labor
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Landslide Victory for the 814 New Directions
The members have spoken: it’s time for new leadership in Local 814. Here are the vote totals:
814 New Directions Unity Slate
Jason Ide 406 George Daniello 154
Mickey Flath 396 James O’Mara 170
Richie Johnson 409 Abner Martinez 158
Anthony Meyers 403 Maurice Vaccarezza 164
Roy Tapia 386 Mike Corbett 171
Debo Otusile 386 Anthony LaRosa 186
Curtis Williams 372 Edward Brennan 196
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Don’t Let Daniello Rig Our Election
Desperate to hold on to his job, George Daniello is trying to steal the election by stuffing the ballot box with ineligible voters. According to official documents provided by Election Services Solutions, Daniello has added fifty non-members to the voting rolls. George had ballots sent to 50 people who have not worked in Local 814 for years—including friends and family members. The list of “add-ons” who were mailed ballots include a Daniello, an O’Mara and a long list of Corbetts.
Local 814 is NOT a family business.
It is YOUR union.
Don’t let them rig your election.
814 New Directions:
Standing Up for a Clean Election
814 New Directions is fighting for your right to a clean election: We have filed official pre-election protests and informed Election Services Solutions of these violations—as well as the Department of Labor. We have challenged the votes cast by the ineligible “add-ons.”
We asked Election Services Solutions to disqualify these ballots—and, at the very least, to segregate the challenged ballots from ballots cast by Local 814 members whose voting eligibility is not questioned by any of the parties to the election. Elections Services Solutions is a professional organization with a responsibility to run the election fairly and neutrally.
We will let you know before Friday’s vote count if Election Services Solutions has agreed to this reasonable request to safeguard the integrity of the Local 814 Election.
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Pension Fund documents obtained by the 814 New Directions Slate reveal that George Daniello has already approved a plan to slash members’ pension benefits. Get all the facts here.
Click here to read the “Funding Improvement Plan” for yourself—a legally-binding agreement that will result in pension cuts after the current contract expires unless the employers agree to increase pension contributions by $4.05 an hour.
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