For decades, Local 812 members have proven again and again that when we are informed, active and engaged, we are a force to be reckoned with.
Resting on our laurels is not an option. With the serious challenges facing today’s working families, we must continue building on our past accomplishments to position our union for the struggles ahead.
In 2019, we launched a number of new programs and initiatives to strengthen our communications, training and benefits.
Here are a few of the highlights:
- Health Fund Improvements and Outreach. We expanded our services by bringing our Mobile Command Center to job sites for Local 812 Health Tours, providing a very convenient way for members to receive free critical health screenings. Hundreds participated. We also added free flu shots to our benefits and increased the age that 812 children can receive vaccinations. We expanded our vision network by adding General Vision Services and also implemented a diabetes program.
- Preserving Jobs. Corporate consolidations in our industry have been a worrying trend, but through strong contract language and dialogue, we’ve been able to save jobs at both Clare Rose and Liberty Coca-Cola. The new Coke warehouse in Staten Island is even leading to the creation of additional union jobs!
- Training and Education. Participation in our Shop Steward and Key Member seminar was unprecedented and provided participants with valuable information and tools for strengthening our union at the shop level. For the first time, Local 812 sponsored a free 5-hour defensive driving class and certification. Local 812 also worked with Anheuser-Busch to create a training program for current workers to obtain their Class A CDLs – providing them with a path to advancement and union membership!
- Saturday Open Houses. We opened up our union hall for all members to drop in to get to know our union officers, staff and fellow members and provided an opportunity to have any questions answered directly by union leaders and health fund representatives.
- Scholarship Fund. One of the major milestones of 2019 was the 15th anniversary of the Local 812 Scholarship Fund. Our gala was a complete success – it provided an evening that will long be remembered as well as raising $160,000 for future scholarship recipients.
- Mobile Command Center. We completely refurbished our RV and now have a state-of-the-art Mobile Command Center that is equipped to best meet our present and future needs.
- Effective Representation. We’ve enhanced our Local’s hands-on knowledge by bringing on Business Agent Mark Pooler, who has 35 years of experience in the beer industry. Last year we began coordinating our Business Agent’s shop service. We’ve handled and resolved a record number of arbitrations and settled many grievances favorably, before they would need to be arbitrated.
We’re only a couple of months into 2020 and continue to expand on last year’s efforts. We’ve made more health fund improvements, including free shingle and pneumonia shots at local pharmacies and a new program to make some experimental medical treatments available to members and their families.
Look out for more open houses, a visit from our Mobile Health Tour and training on new Department of Transportation rules and regulations.
We will further strengthen our front line – our steward network. This year’s Steward and Key Member Seminar will take place July 27th.
We’ve begun contract negotiations at Clare Rose and Manhattan Beer, and they are off to a good start. We’re also participating in labor management meetings with our beer, Canada Dry and Snapple employers to resolve current and potential problems as quickly as possible and reduce the need for lengthy grievances and arbitrations.
With 2021 soda negotiations just around the corner, an active and informed membership is critical to our continued success. I am proud of our accomplishments and thank our executive board, staff, stewards, retirees and membership for working hard to make our union even stronger!
In Solidarity,
Joseph Vitta
President, Teamsters Local 812
