Teamster Women Get Set to Attend Annual Conference
The ninth annual Teamsters Women’s Conference will take place September 10-12 at Bally’s Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Heather Ahern, a five-year member of Local 320 in Minneapolis, is one of hundreds of Teamster women who will be traveling to this year’s conference, which is themed, “Teamster Women: Raising the Stakes."
How are you “raising the stakes” as a Teamster woman?
Ahern: As a court clerk working for the county, we were taken over by the state of Minnesota in July 2004. Just prior to being taken over by the state, the county did a pay compensation study and raised our rates considerably, as our jobs had been historically underpaid for years. The state refused to recognize our new wages. Our union filed a grievance on our behalf, provided us with an attorney, assisted us with court appearances, and ultimately, two years later, won us a settlement giving us the correct rates of pay and back pay, totaling more than $150,000! As a new union steward, it was an eye-opening experience for me that resulted in a victory for the women who work hard to deliver fairness and justice every day in the court system.
Why is being a Teamster important to you?
Ahern: It’s important to me because Teamsters are truly involved and committed people. Our business agent knows our faces and names, and makes sure to personalize our relationship by keeping in contact with us, personally taking calls regarding any questions and keeping us posted on any relevant matters. The support staff at the Local 320 union hall are extremely helpful whenever we visit or call with a need for something. They are truly invested in our well-being. As a steward, I participate on negotiation teams, Labor/Management committees and am provided with other union opportunities for training as a steward and a leader in my field.
Share YOUR Story
We are looking for interesting stories, like Ahern’s, for Teamster publications, including the Women’s newsletter and Teamster web sites. Please fill out the attached form and we may feature you!
You can bring the form, along with a photo (preferably, on the job), to the Women’s Conference. If you would like to submit a digital photo, please fill out the attached form electronically and e-mail it, along with a photo, to kdeniz@teamster.org. Your contact information is important, as someone from the International Union Communications Department may call you for more information prior to printing your story.