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Local 243 UPS Members Win $40,000 in Supervisors Working Grievances During First Few Months of 2024
Local 243 has a strong track record of enforcing the UPS contract, including provisions for 9.5 violations and supervisors working. In both of these areas, Local 243 has chalked up impressive victories — winning members significant payments to rank-and-file members whenever their contractual rights are violated by the Company.So far for 2024, Local 243 has won more than $40,000 in supervisors working grievances at UPS, with additional supervisors working grievances yet to be heard in all UPS buildings.
UPS Woodbridge members Kevin Stawecki (left) and Mark Dickerson (right) recently won their supervisors working grievances, securing the largest settlements to date.
Trustee/Business Agent Scott Wood presented Brother Stawecki with his check totaling more than $17,000 and Brother Dickerson with his check for more than $12,000. When these two settlements are included, Local 243 has successful won more than $40,000 in supervisors working grievances during the first five months of 2024.
Contract enforcement is a team effort. Local 243 Trustee/Business Agent Scott Wood said that whenever a UPS member witnesses a supervisor doing bargaining unit work at their building, they should immediately contact their Steward or Business Agent and file a grievance. “The only way we can stop the Company from doing our work, and taking away good-paying Union jobs, is by getting personally involved and demanding accountability,” Wood said.
Teamster Leaders Assemble In Downtown Chicago For the IBT’s 2024 Passenger Transportation Division Conference
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Teamster Local Union officials from across the country met at the Palmer House Hotel in Chicago, Illinois May 7-8 for the IBT’s 2024 Passenger Transportation Division Conference.(RIGHT) IBT General President Sean O’Brien speaks to delegates at the IBT’s 2024 Passenger Transportation Division meeting.
Local 243 Secretary-Treasurer Phil Turner and Business Agent/Legislative Coordinator Bill Black joined more than 120 local union leaders for this year’s meeting. Issues discussed included: the seven tests of just cause, and their use in protecting members’ rights and jobs; unemployment benefits for school transportation employees; organizing growth and opportunities within the industry; and how Teamster legislative power can benefit passenger transportation workers.
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IBT General President Sean O’Brien kicked off the meeting by discussing the IBT’s ongoing organizing programs and how the International and Local Unions are working to expand our influence and enhance our strength within the Passenger Transportation Division.(LEFT) Secretary-Treasurer Phil Turner and Business Agent Bill Black listen to a discussion about the NLRB.
“We’re not afraid to fight,” O’Brien declared. “We’re not afraid to take on employers. We’re not afraid to strike if the employers don’t give our members what they want. We have $340 million in our Strike and Defense Fund. That Strike and Defense Fund will be used to negotiate the best contracts, set the highest industry standards and defend against any threat to this Union.”
O‘Brien told the attendees that the IBT and Local Unions must continue driving up standards not just in the Passenger Transportation Division, but at every Teamster employer, through aggressive and ever-expanding organizing.
(RIGHT) Teamsters Local 243 Secretary-Treasurer Phil Turner, IBT General President Sean O’Brien and Business Agent/Legislative Coordinator Bill Black.
“The bottom line: if we’re not organizing, we’re dying.” O’Brien said. “There are very strong opportunities to organize in the Passenger Transportation Division and Teamsters are working everyday to make the most of these opportunities. Since taking office, we’ve been extremely successful in organizing new members — especially in the Passenger Transportation division.”
Secretary-Treasurer Phil Turner said while the challengers facing the Passenger Transportation Division are great, the opportunities are greater. He stressed that changing Michigan’s law regarding unemployment benefits for school bus Drivers and Monitors/Bus Aides remains a high legislative priority.
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“Local 243 began this discussion over fixing Michigan’s unemployment law with House Speaker Joe Tate a year ago, and we remain determined to use our connections in Lansing to press ahead with this change,” he said. “In addition, Local 243’s organizing program, spearheaded by Business Agent Bill Black, is solid and strong. Bill does a remarkable job, and Local 243 stands ready to welcome any and all non-union school transportation employees into our Local Union. Together, we are stronger - and Local 243 believes it's past time that school transportation employees receive the dignity, respect and fair treatment they deserve.”
2023-2028 UPS National Agreement, Local #243 Metro-Detroit Rider, Central Region Rider, Michigan Rider and CSI Rider
Click on the contracts below for a larger view
Feel free to download and keep these with you for quick reference.
Copies of the 2023-2028 UPS contracts will be distributed to Local 243 members as soon as the Union receives the printed versions from the IBT.
Local 243 Holds “Practice Picket” At the Michigan AFL-CIO’s Lansing Headquarters Demanding Contract Justice — NOW!
On Tuesday, March 19th Teamsters Local 243, backed by other Local Unions and allied groups, held a “practice picket” outside the Michigan AFL-CIO’s office in downtown Lansing calling upon the State Federation to stop playing games and get serious about completing a first contract. This informational picket was timed to coincide with the AFL-CIO’s March Board meeting.
“We initially organized the Michigan AFL-CIO staff employees almost one year ago, on the heels of right-to-work’s repeal, and have been engaged in sometimes contentious contract talks for months,” said Local 243 Secretary-Treasurer, and lead negotiator, Phil Turner. “Progress on a first contract has been painfully slow, and our picket was designed to show that Local 243 will do whatever we must to convince the AFL-CIO to get serious about finalizing a first contract.”
Turner said although the Michigan AFL-CIO’s website claims that the State Federation supports “Michigan workers as they bargain with employers to improve their living conditions and workplaces”, it is time that the organization live up to those words and bring these negotiations to a conclusion.
“Our next bargaining session is April 4th and our hope is that after today the Michigan AFL-CIO will get the message,” he said. “However, if they stubbornly still refuse to hear what we are saying and persist in delaying a contract, we are prepared to expand our ‘practice pickets’. What do the workers want? A contract. When do they want it? NOW!”
Is the Michigan AFL-CIO listening? Time will tell. Stay tuned....
Teamsters Local 243 Files NLRB Charges Against the Michigan State AFL-CIO
Union Cites Retaliation and Harassment of Teamster Steward and Union Organizer
Local 243 President Scott Quenneville and Executive Board Pledge Continued Strong Service and Representation
Business Representative Greg Lowran issued the oath of office to Local 243 President Scott Quenneville, Secretary-Treasurer Phil Turner, Vice President Corey Smith, Recording Secretary Christina Gonzalez and Trustees Dave Bailey, Scott Wood and Ken Christie.
Sweetwaters Ann Arbor Workers Host “Sip In For Solidarity” To Support Organizing With Local 243Baristas at Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea held a “sip in for solidarity” on January 20, 2024 at the Company’s downtown Ann Arbor location to show support for the workers’ effort to organize with Teamsters Local 243.
The Union representation election covering 60 baristas at four Ann Arbor Sweetwaters coffeehouses will take place on Thursday, January 25th.
“We are all very proud of these young professionals who are demonstrating bravery and unity in their campaign to win strong Union representation they want and deserve,” Local 243 President Scott Quenneville said. “Working together, we will first win this crucial organizing election and then begin the important task of negotiating a first contract that will make these Sweetwaters workers proud to become Local 243 Teamsters.”
Sweetwaters workers received support from legislative officials, Starbucks workers, nurses, office clerical workers and community leaders. Among those in attendance were in State Senator Jeff Irwin (D-15th), State Representative Jason Morgan (D-23rd) and retired United Auto Workers International President Bob King.
President Quenneville said the Sweetwaters campaign is the latest push by Local 243 to reach out and organize young workers who are the key to building a strong and effective 21st century labor movement.
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Sweetwaters Coffee and Tea workers received strong Union and community support during their January 20th “Sip In For Solidarity” organizing rally..jpg)
President Scott Quenneville and Secretary-Treasurer Phil Turner with State Representative Jeff Irwin..jpg)
Retired UAW President Bob King (left) with Business Agent Bill Black, Secretary-Treasurer Turner and President Quenneville..jpg)
State Senator Jason Morgan (right) demonstrated his support..jpg)
The coffeehouse was packed with supporters encouraging the workers to stay united for victory in this important organizing campaign..jpg)
Local 243 Wins Organizing Victory For UPS-CSI Clerks
Office clerks employed by UPS-CSI in Romulus voted on December 21, 2023, to join ranks with Teamsters Local 243. The workers are employed by a UPS Division specializing in importing and exporting high-volume freight.
Several weeks ago, the workers reached out to Local 243 after speaking with their co-workers who are already Teamsters, and seeing the historic gains won by the IBT during the 2023 UPS contract campaign.
“Local 243’s organizing program continues strong, and this CSI victory is just the latest example of how we are working to expand the rights and benefits of Teamster membership to non-union workers,” Local 243 President Scott Quenneville declared. “We congratulate these Brothers and Sisters who are working to build a stronger quality of life for themselves and their families through membership in Teamsters Local 243.”
Quenneville stated that negotiations for a first contract for these newly-organized CSI members will commence soon.
Niccol Ca
n Afford More Than A Nickel Increase For Chipotle WorkersUnions Unite To Protest Company’s Insulting 5¢/Hour Wage Increase Proposal
Teamsters Tell Chipotle: “It’s Time To Wrap Up A Fair First Contract”
Click HERE for Lansing Rally Photos
Solidarity was on vivid display during Local 243’s November 3, 2023 rally at the Lansing Chipotle restaurant. Teamsters are calling on Chipotle to stop stalling and give their workers a contract that provides them with fair wages and an equal voice.
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President Scott Quenneville discusses the Chipotle contract campaign with a reporter from WILX TV in Lansing. “The Teamsters are here and we are not going anywhere.”More than 12 months after contract negotiations began on a first agreement for the newly-organized Lansing Chipotle workers, and seeing little to no progress at the bargaining table, Local 243 held a solidarity rally outside the restaurant on November 3rd to step up pressure on Chipotle to get serious about finalizing a first contract.
“The Teamsters are here and we are not going anywhere,” Local 243 President Scott Quenneville declared. “We are demanding that Chipotle stop playing games, stop dragging their feet and get serious about bargaining a first contract.”
Quenneville said that in 2022, Chipotle reported massive earnings of $8.6 billion. In addition, Chipotle CEO Brian Niccol pocketed more than $17 million last year.
Chipotle CEO Brian Niccol’s Message To His Workers: $17 Million For Me ... A Few Pennies For Thee
“While CEO Niccol takes home more than $17 million, he offers workers an insulting five cent raise,” Quenneville said. “Chipotle workers are worth more than a nickel and this is why we will continue standing firm to get these hard-working young men and women a first contract that provides them with better wages, hours and an equal voice on the job.”
During the rally outside the Lansing restaurant, Local 243 received support from a diverse group of labor and political allies:
• Teamsters Locals 247, 299, 283, 337 and 406;
• Representatives from the Michigan State AFL-CIO;
• State Representatives Angela Witwer and Donovan McKinney; and
• Nate Engle, Director of Community Engagement for Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
In addition, Michigan Speaker of the House Joe Tate called President Quenneville prior to the rally kickoff to express his support to the Chipotle workers in their ongoing contract fight.
“This was a great display of solidarity, but it’s only the beginning,” Quenneville said. “If Chipotle thinks they can erode workers’ resolve with delays, they’re wrong. Our Chipotle members are more determined today than ever. Teamsters demand Chipotle stop wasting time and give their workers the fair contract they demand and deserve.”
Quenneville Leadership Team Elected Without Opposition
Local 243’s Newly-Elected Executive BoardFront row (left to right): Recording Secretary Christina Gonzalez, Secretary-Treasurer Phil Turner, President Scott Quenneville, and Vice President Corey Smith. Back Row (left to right): Trustee David Bailey, Trustee Scott Wood and Trustee Ken Christie.
On September 4th, Local 243 President Scott Quenneville and the members of the Quenneville Leadership Team were elected, without opposition, to a three-year term starting January 1, 2024.
The newly-elected Executive Board Officers are:
• Scott Quenneville, President• Phil Turner, Secretary-Treasurer• Corey Smith, Vice President• Christina Gonzalez, Recording Secretary• David Bailey, Trustee• Ken Christie, Trustee• Scott Wood, Trustee“We thank Local 243 members for their unanimous support of our team and our member-focused agenda to build upon our Union’s successful past to guarantee a brighter future for all Local 243 members,” President Quenneville said.
Quenneville praised current Local 243 Secretary-Treasurer Greg Lowran and Trustee Ernie Bell for their years of service on behalf of the membership.
“Brother Lowran decided back in 2021 to come out of retirement and help our Union transition following the retirement of President Jim Cianciolo,” Quenneville said. “Even though Greg has decided to step aside as Secretary-Treasurer, he will continue putting his experience to work as a UPS Business Agent.”
Earlier this year, Trustee Ernie Bell announced that he would be stepping down as Trustee at the conclusion of his UPS career this year.
“Both Ernie and Greg have served our Union with dedication and distinction,” Quenneville said. “We wish Ernie happiness in his retirement and look forward to continuing to work with, and learn from, Greg Lowran for years to come.”
President Quenneville also welcomed newly-elected Executive Board members Christina Gonzalez and Ken Christie. Sister Gonzalez, a current Business Agent, is Local 243’s new Recording Secretary. Meanwhile, Brother Christie is the new Trustee, replacing retiring Brother Bell.
“Christina and Ken are well known to UPS members with decades of experience,” Quenneville said. “Both are excellent additions to our team who will refine our mission of providing first-class representation to the members.”
UPS Teamsters Make Contract History
Click below for details about the 2023 Vote
Local 243 Members Ratify the Metro-Detroit UPS Rider By 87.6% to 12.4% Margin
(Click graphic above for the complete UPS vote tally)
Teamsters To Chipotle Shareholders:
Support the Right of Employees To Organize
“Chipotle claims they’re engaging in good faith, but we still have not even seen a legitimate first offer, let alone an agreement after eight months,” said Local 243 President Scott Quenneville.
Local 243 is committed to securing a first Union agreement that will give these hard-working Chipotle employees an “equal voice” on the job for dignity and respect.
SOLIDARITY AT STARBUCKS!
Teamsters Local 243 Supports Starbucks Workers United In Their Current Organizing Campaign For Workplace Justice
Local 243 Business Agents Bill Black and Christina Gonzalez, along with Michigan State Senators Darrin Camilleri and Erica Geiss, joined the May 22nd rally at Riverview’s Young Patriots Park supporting Starbucks Workers United in Allen Park and Riverview in their organizing campaign for fairness, dignity and respect.
Teamsters General President Sean O'Brien Visits Local 243 UPS Livonia Members On March 27th
Check out the May-June Local 243 Mirror for more information about IBT President Sean O’Brien’s visit with UPS Livonia members. Click here
Local 243 Wins Voluntary Recognition For Michigan AFL-CIO EmployeesField and Campaign Organizers, Training and Communication workers and Legislative Staff at the Michigan State AFL-CIO in Lansing became Teamsters on April 27th as the AFL-CIO granted voluntary recognition to Local 243 as the employees’ Bargaining Representative.
Click Image Below For Larger View
Central States Pension Fund Awarded $36 Billion Rescue Grant In Victory For Teamster Retirees
Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien joined President Joe Biden during his presidential address about strengthening the U.S. economy for Union members and retirees on December 8 in Washington, D.C.
Workers at a Chipotle Mexican Grill in Lansing, Michigan, voted overwhelmingly on August 25th to join International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 243, making it the first of the restaurant chain’s 3,000 locations to organize.
In addition to the security of a powerful Teamster contract, workers are forming a union to improve their work schedules, increase wages, and gain the respect from management that they’ve rightfully earned.
"The Teamsters Union is home to 1.2 million workers, and all of us are fighting for our brothers and sisters at Chipotle to get the rights and workplace protections they deserve,” IBT General President Sean M. O’Brien declared. “Now is the time for working people in this country to take back what’s theirs. No matter your industry, no matter your age or how intimidating your employer may seem, you too can protect your labor with a union. The revitalization of labor is really just beginning.”
“Chipotle pulled in revenue of $7.5 billion last year, and just as we’re seeing workers of all ages and backgrounds across the country take on these corporate giants, it’s so inspiring to see Chipotle workers stand up and demand more from a company that can clearly afford it,” said Scott Quenneville, President of Local 243. “The Teamsters have these workers’ backs. They’re going to have a union they can be proud of and that knows how to get things done.”
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