Sisters and Brothers, 

Yesterday DL947 successfully fought off a Teamster raid of our Coca Cola units throughout Southern California.  The final tally of the vote was 63 – IAM, 48 Teamsters. GVP Allen stated “this is a strong message to the Teamsters and any other organization that think the IAM will stand by idly and watch our membership erode because of unethical practices of these rogue organizations”. 

Congratulations to the DL 947 DBR, District Lodge staff, volunteers and Grand Lodge Representatives who participated in the campaign.  

This win was accomplished during a time period when most workers should be home spending time with their families and enjoying the holiday season.  

General Vice President Allen has been very vocal about his feelings of discontentment with the anti-union activities of the Teamsters. GVP Allen also stated “this was an organizing drive that should not have happened”. “While there are millions of workers who are out in the workforce hoping and wishing they could be represented by a union, the Teamsters are out stealing other unions members. We have spent time and used resources that could have been much better invested in organizing the unorganized”..

If you hear of any organizations attempting to steal our members do not hesitate to contact the Western Territory Regional office for assistance. 

Steve Cooper

Western Terrritory Organizing Leader

620 Coolidge Drive Suite 130

Folsom, California 95630

Office: (916) 985-8101

Obama Signs COBRA Extension
 

Thu. January 07, 2010 An extension of the 65 percent COBRA subsidy was signed into law by President Obama on December 19, 2009. This extension extends the eligibility window for the subsidy until February 28, 2010, and also increases the subsidy period for laid-off workers to 15 months of coverage, up from the current nine months.

Under the new bill, any worker who loses his or her job before February 28, 2010, would now be eligible for the subsidy, and the subsidy will now provide 15 months of coverage as opposed to the original nine months. Workers whose coverage has already terminated after nine months of subsidy will be given the opportunity to re-enroll for the extended coverage.