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Originally Posted by FIST  David Castro, if you don't know is supposed to be our top guy at ups, yet nobody knows him. He is known as a sellout to his peers; an Mark King is just taking up space. Any real officers would grow some nutts N tell members to vote "NO". Castro you are "DONE"... |
Fist,
Indeed, we are in a crisis in our local and this cannot be disputed.
The real problem for our current OFFICERS and agents is one of complacency and politics.
When the administration was first assembled to run against then Officer Danny Bruno, the men involved had one thing in mind, protecting the people.
They started out great and things changed. The OFFICERS put the locals finances back in order and started a new direction with respect to investments and capital spending. Congratulations are in order for this part of the administrations efforts. They have made good on this promise.
Ron Herrera, Jay Phillips, Bill Huff & Rey Garcia started with the premise of MEMBERS FIRST. Indeed, they did just that.
Somewhere down the road, things changed. Rey left along with a few other agents. The emergence of local politics was emerging.
Fancy dinners, golfing and trips out of town started to be the norm for Ron, Jay and Bill. There focus began to be on the politics of being officers of the local. Enjoying the perks of such a priviledge became the primary focal point of their administration.
While this was happening, the yards and the grievances became of lesser importance. The "new" agents rarely come to the hubs on a regular basis, and getting a grievance hearing within 30 days, well, you might as well get on your knees and beg the company to pay a grievance.
The local began a practice that had not been the norm for handing grievances, the panel system. In panels, "they" can pass the buck to the panel process instead of taking responsibility for the outcome themselves.
Here in 396, we have an expedited arbitration process that can be used to settle ALL disputes. There are no exceptions. However, the local refuses to take advantage of this language and prefers to take the weeks off to visit other cities and commiserates with other locals at the panels.
The panel system, refered to in Union Terms as "deadlock committees" are a complete waste of time.
This local is more concerned with playing politics with other locals and getting their name in the Teamster rags than it does participating in real issues with
UPS members.
When was the last time anyone saw RON HERRERA in a yard handling any case for the members?? There have been a TON of employees fired over the last 5 years who were out months and returned without pay and without arbitration. The company has taken advantage of this local and Mr. Dan Guerrero of
UPS has steamrolled JAY and DAVID CASTRO each and everytime their is a dispute. Ron has yet to put his feet on the ground for a member terminated at
UPS and this is unacceptable.
The agents have completely surrendered to the company when handling a grievance and each case is automatically scheduled for panels rather than the agents dealing with the company at the local level as required.
If the employees were a bit more informed, they would know that DFR charges can be filed against the agents for not Investigating the cases prior to any grievance hearing,handling each case with the best interest of the employee in mind or handling the case in a timely manner.
Agent George Turner is always taking a verbal beatdown in his yards for being weaker than a used teabag.
Our local has lost its focus. Its primary responsibility was to protect its members and not itself. There is no provision for the Officers and agents to conduct themselves in a manner that focuses on local teamster politics.
Our elected leaders have demonstrated a proclivity for kissing the behinds of the J.C. and taking instructions from it.
Next year will bring a new set of elections for our local.. People need to rise to the occasion and begin to assemble a new group of concerned members that will rise to the challenge and put the members first and forego the political sinkhole Ron, Jay and Bill have dug for themselves.
This local is large and has many complexities. Its elected officers KNOW that catering to one segment will get them re-elected. The sanitation segment dominates our election cycles.
The Officers "KNOW" that investing time with them will get the vote out, versus spending time with the overwhelming majority of members (
UPS) and facing reality.
Its "OUR" responsibility to motivate each other and get the word out to insure change in the next elections.
What we already know is that the Herrera administration has not only sold us out on this contract (from our perspective) and is no longer putting the
UPS membership first.
Their self promoting literature is nonsense aimed at giving a false sense of things at hand. It amazes me the effort they spent to promote Jay and Rons role in organizing the sanitation industry nationwide, then Ron calls a strike against Waste Management and the company hands him his "ash" and cost 45 members there jobs.
Do you think these 45 members think the tough talk was worth it?
These members have been permanantly replaced and cannot be re-hired until a position opens up and this with a full loss of seniority.
Great job local 396.
The important thing for us to realize is that "we" hold the power to make change in the local. Dont ever forget that RON, JAY, BILL & DAVID work for US and we pay their salaries.
They answer to "US", not the other way around.
Change begins with those who seek it, if we just complain and allow this locals administration to continue on its path of self indulgence, then we need to just be quiet.
I think they know they are on the ropes and the 12th round is coming up fast. The bell will ring when this contract is ratified in its current form.
Peace.
Local 396 avoids its members!! 
Re: Local 396 avoids its members!! 
If you are the christ child then come on Obama walk across my swimming pool. 
