In a strong show of support for the new DHL National Master Agreement, hundreds of members in seven states attended meetings this weekend. Local union leaders held votes to recommend the contract and in a majority the agreement was overwhelmingly endorsed.

“This is a great agreement. We protected what we already had and we’ve gained more,” said Patti McGuckin, dock agent and member of Local 299 in Detroit. “We’re getting more money than we’ve ever gotten, and our pension and health-and-welfare plans are protected. I’ve been a Teamster for almost 20 years and this is one of our best contracts.”

“I’ve read through the contract and I can’t help but think that this is going to be a good thing for everybody,” said Sam Conover, driver and member of Local 135 in Indianapolis. “I believe this helps the company by giving them some avenues to do some cost-saving. At the same time, our jobs have been protected and this is the strongest wage-and-benefit package I’ve seen as a Teamster. To all parties concerned, I think this is a good contract. I’ll be voting yes for it.”

“Members support this contract because it protects their futures, benefits, wages and jobs,” said Frank Burdell, Local 407 President. “We held a motion to support the contract at the end of our meeting, and the vote was 59-1 in favor of the contract—that’s a sign of strong support.”

In addition to Local 407 members’ support, approximately 375 members of Local 299 overwhelmingly endorsed the new tentative agreement, as did some 150 members of Local 135 (by a 149-1 voice vote) and more than 100 members of Local 249 in Pittsburgh. Bargaining committee co-chair Brad Slawson Sr. attended these four locals’ meetings, answering members’ questions.

“Members had questions about things that matter to them, their family and their coworkers,” Slawson said. “These are the issues we had in mind while negotiating the contract and, judging by the positive response we received, members recognize that this contract meets their needs.”

“I think our meeting went well,” Larry Tutino, a driver and Local 249 member. “Brad Slawson answered our questions. When the ballots are counted I’d be surprised if we don’t have 85 percent support for the contract here in Pittsburgh.”

“By the end of the meeting, there was overwhelming support for the contract,” said Alan Bevins, Local 135 business agent. “Most of the workers’ concerns had to do with the influx of part-time employees, but those were answered when Brad Slawson explained the job and benefit protections built into the contract. Brad did a heck of a job, he answered every question from members until there were no more questions.”

Strong Support in Indiana, Washington, New York and California

In other meetings held this weekend, approximately 125 members of Local 174 in Tukwila, Washington voiced overwhelming support for the tentative agreement, as did 46 members of Local 364 in South Bend, Indiana, as well as some 43 members of Local 851 in Valley Stream, New York, which also held a meeting for 20 stewards on March 26. Members of Local 70 in Oakland met, as did members of Local 624 met in Santa Rosa, California—membership at the locals strongly supported the tentative agreement. In previous weeks, members from approximately 10 other locals have met in recent weeks.

“Change is not easy and these negotiations were difficult but the contract we negotiated is solid,” said Chuck Mack, International Vice-President for the Western Region and Local 70 Secretary-Treasurer. “It addresses the flexibility issues sought by the company and provides our members with job security.”

“In my opinion, this is one of the best contracts I’ve seen in the 28 years I’ve been a Teamster,” said Wally Graham, a driver and Local 174 member. “I’m impressed that we were able to get the monetary part—what we’re getting in wages and benefits is pretty unbelievable. I’m telling all the members that I can get a hold of to vote this contract in.”

“We told DHL that we need to protect our full-time workers,” said Kevin Moore, Local 299 President. “We’ve done our job protecting their jobs, as well as their pensions, health and welfare, and wages. This contract contains the largest economic increase our members have seen in 25 years.”

“Without a doubt, our members were very excited about the health insurance coverage,” said Bob Warnock III, Local 364 President. “They also had questions about the pension, sick days and holidays. By the end of the meeting, our membership was strongly in favor of this agreement.”

“As a former Airborne Express employee, I think this is a great contract,” said Edward Dini, Local 249 business agent. “It provides members with nice wage and benefit increases, while also allowing the company the ability to compete in a competitive marketplace in difficult economic times. It’s something I’m very proud to be a part of.”

“I like the wages—we’ve never had increases like that before—and there were no give-backs,” said Phil Saccomanno, a dispatcher and Local 851 member. “I support this new national contract. There’s strength in numbers.”

“People seemed very happy with the contract,” said Thom Conelias, Local 851 President. “I’ve gotten calls thanking the negotiating committee for all of our work negotiating the contract. The workers’ biggest concerns were job security and their pension and health care plans. This contract takes care of those concerns.”

Unanimous Endorsement, Additional Information

Unanimously endorsed 52-0 by local leaders who represent workers at DHL throughout the country on March 12, the tentative agreement is the first new national master agreement to be negotiated in more than 30 years. Members will be mailed voting ballots in the next few weeks.

Additional informational meetings are planned for DHL locals across the country. As more locals hold meetings, members will be updated regularly.

Continue to visit www.teamster.org for information about the tentative DHL National Master Agreement, including news and full text of local riders and supplements.