Q & A

1. Congratulations! The drivers have gone through a lot, with little or no appreciation from Ruan. You have a right to celebrate...

 Thank you. Indeed, the drivers did go through a rough time with Ruan and we all are looking forward toward the new change and a fresh beginning.

 

2. Do you think that the offer will pass?

 Yes!!!!! If we don't we are all slightly in the crazy zone.

 

3. Angel and Joe, are they OK, and are they on board with the offer?

 Those two guys have worked so hard side by side with Tracy Thompson and her staff, to put together an offer that meets the present needs and future of these drivers.. When Estenson first proposed a contract with no union pension, these two guys stood still and it was an exhausting event for all involved.

 

These guys went through the events of 2003/04 and they began reliving. But with the leadership of Ms. Thompson she was able to understand the history and provide strength to Angel and Joe. Yes, Angel and Joe are on board and expect the offer to pass overwhelmingly.

 

4. What are the numbers?

Ms. Thompson deserves the right to share those numbers and she will on Sunday.

 

5. Do you think that Darigold will retaliate against the drivers?

 For what reason should Darigold retaliate against Estenson's employees for exercising the opportunity to bargain in good faith? Darigold has bigger fish to fry. Taking care of their farmers and business is on the top of their fish fry. The decision for Darigold to lock up their transportation needs for six years, will enable them to move on and concentrate on their core business competencies.

 

6. The meeting on Tuesday with the inside workers. Was it the key to sealing the deal?

 I believe it was. Anytime that solidarity is seen in such great numbers, you have to consider the enormous effects on any one business. The inside workers are to be commended for their willingness to support their drivers. (WE WILL NOT FORGET YOU!) So yes, the inside workers played a big part in making things happen.

 

7. Will Joe and Angel step down from their shop steward roles?

 No confirmation at this time on whether they will step down. There is talk that perhaps, this was their last contract.

 

8. The driver that attacked one of the stewards, will the union remove him from the local?

We all make mistakes and when we do, we learn from them and move on. The Local has not made any decisions as to the attacker. But one thing was clear...the Local does not tolerate any kind of violent behavior toward their officials.

 

9. Laborwatchman, has been once again a token of great information. I would like to thank you and hope that it will continue after the passing of the offer.

 At this time there hasn't been a final decision on the continuance or discontinuance of Laborwatchman.

 

10. I still can't stand you, you fuckin' ass hole. Watch your back!

 Dear Friend,

I am going to pray for you right now. Dear Lord in Heaven, Help Zoefish66 to surrender his bitterness...into your hands. Allow him to release his soul...from bondage and begin to lose himself from hatred. Help my friend to turn himself around and look toward your love and forgiveness, and in Jesus precious name, Amen.

 

It's over friend. Please try to move on and remember this war wasn't about me or anyone else. It was for the cause of our labor movement and providing members with future security. I can't watch my own back. I must trust in God for him to watch my back. I will continue to pray for you and hope for the best.

 

 Love, Laborwatchman.

 

Thanks, Laborwatchman.

1.Why is the Union putting out so many different approaches, thereby creating confusion?

I really don't understand your question, "Putting out different approaches". To my knowledge, there hasn't been any approaches put out. Information yes, but approaches no. That is why the union has scheduled two meetings for Tuesday, September 8th, 2009: 3:30pm for drivers and 4:30pm for the inside workers to provide further information as to where the negotiations are heading.

 

Now, there has been a team from the union that has gone out to visit the shops and speak with the membership. But the information the team has put out has been clear and concise. I don't believe the union has created any confusion at all. If there is any confusion, it's from those that are playing the assumption game and people are running with their fantasies.

 

2.Why don't you just admit it and write the truth. The fact is that your bullshit is coming to a head and just like several had predicted, Darigold has the upper hand in all of this bullshit.

What bullshit? I have been straight forward and have not tried to mislead the readers of "Laborwatchman". I have shared from the beginning that when both sides approached the economic segment of the negotiations, continued progress would depend on Darigold.

 

It's your opinion as to Darigold having the upper hand. As far as I am concerned, the membership are the ones who have the upper hand. As far as to the predictions of several, that is all they are... predictions. We are still in anticipation that a contract with Estenson and labor peace with Darigold will be the end result. I would be a liar if I didn't tell you that at times I become afraid of going through the same old BS of 2003/04. One important key is the fact that Local 117 is much bigger than Local 66. Look at the damage that Local 66 inflicted on Darigold in 2003/04. Imagine, what Local 117 can do.

 

3.What are the meetings for on Tuesday?

 Information, information and then some more information.

 

4.If this thing goes to Hell, I hope you get your ass kicked.

You are truly one of my favorite readers. Yes sir, my ass might be kicked. But it wouldn't change a thing in the long run; because this "THING" that you are referring to had nothing to do with me, and after the attempted ass kicking, we would still need to get to a contract. Stay with us brother and maintain the hope for the movement.

 

5.Fuck the Union. We pay them our fuckin' money and for what? I have had several jobs with unions and I have been screwed by the Union every time and I am sick and tired of the shit.

Friend, you have a narrow mindset of the union. First, the union isn't about dues. The union in its simplest term is this: The union is a movement with an established forum of giving opportunities to ordinary workers the ability to gain extraordinary accomplishments through the bargaining process. So, the dues are a small token of our commitment for all the hard work that our leadership engage in every day and encouraging them to continue.

 

Life isn't a box a chocolates. I believe that life is what you put in it. You know what you want and go for it. Whatever issues you feel the Union didn't take care of, you need to learn from it and move on. If you are sick and tired of it, then check your mental capacity.

1.More delays and still working without a contract. When will we get a contract?

 Key words "Still Working".  Give thanks for the fact that we are still working, even if it's without a contract, for now. We continue to beat on the drum and still stand on the sound, that negotiations at times can go smoothly and it can go slowly. We are in the slow mode, but still with some movement. At this time I don't have an answer as to when you will get your contract.

 

2. A meeting took place at the Issaquah plant this morning. Can you tell me why?

 In regards to the meeting at your facility, I would encourage you to address your questions to Local 117 business agent for that union shop.

 

3. Once again, in the fuckin' middle. What can we do as members, to speed things up with our contract?

Keep coming to work and do your best to continue to serve with "Teamster Excellence" and wait for the leadership of Tracy Thompson. Hope that is seen, isn't hope, but hope that isn't seen, that's hope. Hope that we can finish.

 

4. All this positive bullshit that you keep putting out and still you don't see the writing on the wall.

 The only writing on the wall, that I am interested in seeing, is the final product of a reasonable contract. Keep looking into a wall and sooner or later, you will convince yourself that you can walk through it, until, you wake up and feel the knots on your forehead, Oops.

 

Being positive isn't bullshit. It's a way of getting through life. Try it, you may be amazed at how your life can become more fulfilled by practicing positive thoughts.

 

5. Is it true that Estenson is going to offer a 401k to the drivers?

 What do you mean, are they going to offer a 401k? They have already offered the drivers a 401k in orientation, including: health benefits.

1. A one day meeting. What a waste of time!

 I understand your comment from the point of getting it done. The fact is that we accomplished more on this one day since we started. When it comes to this process, you have to take what becomes available and run with it. Rome wasn't built in one day.

 

2. I keep hearing about how bad the farmers have it. Personally, I don't care about those f-#*#* farmers. All I want to know is, when are we going to get a contract?

We should care about the farmers, what they mean to us(drivers) and their families, along with their dreams and goals. Darigold is the entity of the owners "Northwest Dairy Association" that sells the members' products. Local milk producers were threatened of losing their product after collection and made it difficult to negotiate with processors.

 

The farmers had to come up with a plan to market their milk. So they stopped competing against themselves and they formed the cooperative in 1918. Washington's largest private company in annual revenue. Today, Darigold is the second-largest dairy exporter in the nation and produced a combined 8 billion pounds of milk in 2008.

 

Darigold is investing in it's co-op members' future and is correct in making this investment; because without milk Darigold fails. This investment is the understanding of what the farmer means to the survival of Darigold and what Darigold means to the farmer.

 

Consumer products, which account for about 30 percent of Darigold's sales, are seeing higher demand as more consumers dine at home during the recession.

 

Darigold and the Northwest Dairy Association have 11 processing plants in three states, with members in five states. The ability for Darigold to produce 8 billion pounds of milk is having an experienced and dependable workforce.

 

By the drivers remaining union, Darigold has sent a message of investing in the future of their transportation needs. I believe that in this current recession, there are many struggles for other companies. Corporate America has a responsibility to operate their businesses with protocols in place that will enable them to operate through tough times.

 

Transportation is in the consumer side of Darigold's business and it's up by 30%. The consumer demands are higher today even in a recession. Though, there are areas of the farmer's business that are struggling; there are other areas of good news. It's great to know that we are on the good-news-side. (source: Puget Sound Business Journal, June 19, 2009)

 

As to when a contract will be accomplished, I have no definite date. All I can say is that both sides want it done sooner than later.

 

3. Why are drivers being written up without having a contract?

Nothing prevents Estenson from disciplining their drivers. There is an Employee Handbook and they can apply those protocols as to discipline until we sign a contract with just cause. My understanding to the write up is based on product being left at wrong stores.

 

Take the time to check in the product. Especially, if a customer is trusting you to do so. It may take an additional six minutes to check in your load yourself, because in doing so you are making sure that the customer received what they ordered and the product was loaded accordingly.

 

4. Is it true that a strike vote was taken in the driver's meeting?

 I appreciate your question and prefer to not answer it at this time.

 

5. Why aren't the shop stewards allowed into the negotiations?

Are you serious and where have you been in the last five months? Whoever told you that, is playing on your emotions. The fact is that the shop stewards have been involved with negotiations since April 2009 (Ruan) and are apart of the current negotiations with Estenson and Local 117.

1. Why is Estenson delaying the negotiations?

 Estenson aren't delaying the talks. It appears that Estenson's attorney has other clients that also need his services.

 

2. Its bullshit that we are working without a contract. How much longer before we vote on a contract?

It's common for memberships to work without a renewed contract. The difference is that these memberships continue to work under the previous contract and still have all of the protection and benefits. We, on the other hand, don't have a prior contract with Estenson and currently are working without a contract during the negotiations process. Ruan's contract has expired with Ruan out the door. This is one of the interesting concepts of the outsourcing trend.

 

Be patient my friend and keep your eyes on the prize. We have good leadership in our Local.

 

3. Are we getting an extra month of medical?

 We have to meet a condition in order to receive the extra month of medical. We should know something soon.

 

4. What will happen if the drivers don't get a contract by the end of September?

 I don't know, and the bargaining committees aren't entertaining such thoughts. But we are aimed at getting it done sooner than later.

 

5. The terminal manager isn't going by seniority and I was told that Estenson would. Why are they not keeping their word?

The fact is that the site manager is going by seniority and is working very hard with what he has. In the last two weeks the operation has been better than it has in the last two years

1.What the Hell is it taking so long to get to the economics of the contract?

Economics are like a good slowed cooked stew. Economics are traditionally the slowest and most important part of any contract. Informational request are often made when it comes to economics and it takes time to go through the requested information.

 

Stay the course and soon economics will be announced.

 

2. Is Estenson's lawyer a union buster?

No, I don't believe so. My impression of their lawyer, is that he's very seasoned. He has not shown any hostile posturing and is very willing to consider the union's proposals. A very pleasant attitude and easy to talk to.

 

3. Why are some drivers wearing uniforms and some are not?

 Some drivers are waiting for the rest of their uniforms to arrive. Some need alterations.

 

4. Do you think that Darigold will hinder the contract negotiations?

No, I don't think they are interested in hindering transportation at all. In fact, they are willing to do all that they can to help the negotiations along. I believe the biggest part of Darigold's involvement in the negotiations will be the economics portion.

 

5.Why is Darigold willing to pay the warehouse workers more in hourly wages, than the drivers?

First, I am glad for any Teamster to make a fair and reasonable hourly wage. I believe Darigold is aware of what they are paying the inside workers and just a few months ago were paying the drivers equally the same. But through the change of carriers, we have to negotiate again in order to maintain our previous hourly wages. I think it is fair to say, that both companies are aware and have been informed that the drivers have no intention of going backwards again.

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