Vote to Join Teamsters is Unanimous

July 16, 2008

The Village of Bayside, Wisconsin police officers and dispatchers who have overwhelmingly chosen to join the Teamsters Union are now members of Local 200.

“This group is the first public safety organization that Local 200 has ever organized,” said Tom Millonzi, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 200 in Milwaukee.

In February 2008, police officers called Local 200 inquiring how to become Teamsters. Local 200 Organizer Werner Holzwarth Jr. and Business Representative Randy Monroe met with the unit and discovered that they were very upset with the Wisconsin-based union that was representing them at the time.

The police officers and dispatchers told Local 200 “let’s get the campaign going.” Four months later, a majority of the group had signed authorization cards and Holzwarth contacted the Wisconsin Employment Relation Commission (WERC).

A vote was conducted June 20 by mail and secret ballot by the WERC. Of the 18 police officers and dispatchers who were eligible to vote, 17 cast ballots. The ballots were counted on July 10 and the vote was an overwhelming 100 percent in favor of joining the Teamsters. The vote was to be certified by WERC this week.

“I’m looking forward to working with our new group and giving them the representation that they want and deserve,” Monroe said.

“We are very glad to be joining the law enforcement groups around the country that have chosen the Teamsters for representation,” said Jennifer Mioduszewski, a Bayside Police Officer.

“This group of officers and dispatchers showed their conviction and ability to get what they wanted by sticking together and staying together through the whole campaign,” Holzwarth said. “Hats off to them and welcome to the Teamsters.”

The local will meet soon with the Village of Bayside to negotiate a new labor agreement for the officers and dispatchers.