Local 690 Is Ready to LEARN

On October 10, Local 690 in Spokane, Washington sponsored a seminar, devoted entirely to the LEARN (Labor Education and Resources Now) Network. More than 25 stewards, members, retirees, business agents and officers attended this training. Buck Holliday, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 690 hosted the innovative program targeting membership solidarity and community outreach. 

The program was facilitated by Sally Payne, Associate Director of the IBT Department of Training and Development, and Ryan Beetham, LEARN Coordinator for Local 690. The LEARN Network is a structure developed by the Teamsters Training and Development Department to assist all Teamster affiliates in their efforts to build membership participation in everything from contract enforcement to voluntary organizing efforts.

The participants worked throughout the program to develop ideas for ways to unify and strengthen member solidarity and identify challenges they might face in the process. Participants found the program helpful in a variety of ways.

“The strong emphasis on building unity in a practical, ‘doable’ way helps us build a stronger union,” said Steve Bruckman. 

“The program provided me with new tools to build stronger solidarity among members,” said Jack Sholes, Jr.

“Teamsters are bright, talented folks with lots of ideas on how to make the union strong,” said Terry Moser, a business agent for the local. “The LEARN Network provides the vehicle for getting their skills focused in that direction.”