LOCAL

INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS PUBLIC AND LAW ENFORCEMENT EMPLOYEES’ UNION

320Summer/ Fall 2013 Edition Volume XVI - Issue #3

YOUR UNION BULLETIN BOARD!VIEW PAGE 6 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS...

IN THIS ISSUE... 2. Secretary-Treasurer’s Report, Brian Aldes 3. Vice President’s/ DRIVE Report, Sami Gabriel 3. Register for Teamsters Local 320 Annual Steward Seminar 4. President’s Report, Joanne Derby 4. General Counsel’s Legal Update, Paula Johnston 5. Recording-Secretary’s Report, Curt Swenson 6. Local 320 Promotions and Assistance Fund 7. Photo Set from this Summer’s Outstate Meetings and Cookouts 7. Welcome New Lobbyist Gus Froemke

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LOCAL 320 SECRETARY-TREASURER’S REPORT

LOBBYING, NEGOTIATING, ORGANIZING AND ACCELERATING INTO THE FUTURE

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By Brian Aldes

Teamsters Local 320 continues to make extraordinary progress in the legis-lative and economic arenas.

In the legislative arena we are growing our lobbying program to include a Volunteer Political Committee, (VPC). The VPC will assist in the development and implementa-tion of political and legislative functions for the Local Union.

At present, twelve Local 320 members have volunteered for the VPC and we hope to have many more join in building on our past successes. Local 320’s legislative ef-forts in the past two years helped to derail a proposed right-to-work-for-less consti-tutional amendment and a public sector “at-will” bill (HF 1974). In the 2013 legisla-tive session we secured substantial capital investments for higher education, school districts, the Judicial Branch, state employ-ees, nursing home employees as well as $120 million for counties and cities.

The VPC will work primarily to protect public employee pensions and to sustain strong budgets in addition to securing state aid to local governments.

As a result of the strong budgets estab-lished by Governor Mark Dayton and the DFL-controlled State Legislature, many Local 320 employers are responding posi-tively to our economic proposals in open contract negotiations. We expect the trend to continue.

The State Legislature will reconvene in February 2014 and get to work on a $2.8 billion bonding list. Teamsters Local 320 will spare no time getting ready to fight on behalf of its’ membership.

OFFICERS AND STAFF

Brian AldesSecretary-Treasurer and

Principal OfficerJoanne Derby

President/Business AgentSami Gabriel

Vice President/Business AgentCurt Swenson

Recording-Secretary/Business Agent

Marcia (Marty) LambTrustee, St. Paul ISD 625

Richard WheelerTrustee, MNSCU

Alston DutchinTrustee, U of M

Paula JohnstonGeneral Counsel

Local 320 Business AgentsCraig Johnson

Leland JohnsonMichael KoppRoger Meunier

Terry NeubergerVance Rolfzen

Kari SeimeErik Skoog

Communications DirectorGus Froemke

Support StaffSusan Bastian

Ron PhillipsSuzanne Slawson

Joni SpauldingKristi ZieglerKatie Ziembo

Minneapolis, MN Local Union Office8:00am - 4:00pmP: 612-378-8700F: 612- 331-8948

Toll Free1-800-637-5430

Onlinewww.teamsterslocal320.org

Emaillocal320@teamsterslocal320.org

Published by Teamsters Local 320

3001 University Ave SE #500Minneapolis, MN 55414

On July 16th our organizing efforts paid off, North Branch City Employees and City Es-sential Supervisors voted overwhelmingly to join Teamsters Local 320. During the last several years we have seen local governments in Minnesota suffer from economic recession, bad policies from past legislatures and declining revenues. Front-line workers have undoubtedly bore the brunt of hard times.

North Branch employees decided not to accept hard times lying down. Instead, they took the initiative to organize their work-place and join with the powerful Teamsters Union.

Going forward, the City of North Branch and its’ employees will come together for the purpose of negotiating a collective bar-gaining agreement. We look forward to an acceptable agreement for the workers and citizens of North Branch.

MEET MINNESOTA’S TOP LAW ENFORCER

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LOCAL 320 VICE PRESIDENT’S/ DRIVE REPORT

By Sami Gabriel

When DRIVE en-dorsed Lori Swanson in 2006 for the office of Attorney General of the State of Minnesota, we knew we would have a political friend.

Lori Swanson has served as a public ser-vant since 2003 and in private practice prior to that. She has been a strong defender of the public throughout her career. The office of Attorney General is a non partisan office and Lori shows that by protecting all people, no matter what their political affiliation. Many may not think of her office as important, but to the State it is an invaluable asset.

The Attorney General office has many roles including regulating charitable organiza-tions, providing legal representation to many state offices and providing legal assistance to greater Minnesota non profit agencies. To most Minnesotans, the most important role is to enforce consumer protection laws. The office takes customer complaints about goods and services and fights on behalf of consum-ers. The office also provides mortgage and housing assistance, health care aid, help to seniors and debt and finance help. Lori’s of-fice has sued and won many lawsuits against companies when they have tried to defraud the citizens.

It has been important for Local 320 and DRIVE to have a great working relationship with her and her office as they have assisted our own Teamster members in every day life. We con-tinue to cultivate political relationships like the one we have with her and feel lucky Lori Swan-son is a true friend of every Teamster.

Attorney General Lori Swanson with Local 320 Vice President Sami Gabriel

Steward Seminar for Local 320 StewardsSaturday, October 26, 2013

8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.Radisson Hotel Roseville2540 North Cleveland Ave

Roseville, MN 55113(Lunch will be provided)

Register online at www.teamsterslocal320.orgPlease register no later than September 16, 2013.

HONORING OUR PEACE OFFICERS

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LEGAL UPDATE: SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO MINN. STAT. 181.9413. (SICK LEAVE POLICY)

BY PAULA JOHNSTON, LOCAL 320 GENERAL COUNSEL

There has been an impor-tant change in Minnesota’s sick or injured child care leave law. Minne-sota Statutes §181.9413 granted em-ployees the right to use accrued sick leave benefits

to care for a sick or injured child in the same manner that the leave could be used for their own illness or injury. That right still exists, but the statute has been significantly expanded to the benefit of the employee.

As of August 1, 2013, employ-ees have the right to use their accrued sick leave not only for their young children, but also adult children, spouse, sib-lings, parents, grandparents, and step-parents. An important caveat, however, is that the leave may only be taken “for reasonable periods of time as the employee’s attendance may be necessary.” In other words, an employee can’t use their accrued sick leave for the illness or injury of these family members unless he or she is needed to care for or support the family member in some way. Still, this expansion is one of the biggest improvements in employment law for some time.

The legislature is clearly aware that the new language repre-sents a sweeping change in the law. It is requiring the commis-sioner of management and budget to analyze and report the impact of sick leave usage under the new provision by em-ployees of the executive branch of the state by August 1, 2014. This may be an indication that changes to the law would be made if the impact is particu-larly burdensome to employ-ers. Local 320 will update the membership if any changes do occur.

LOCAL 320 PRESIDENT’S REPORT

By Joanne Derby

Posted to my right is a photo of Doug-las County Sheriff’s Deputies and Team-sters on Peace Of-ficers Memorial Day, May 15th.

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designat-ed May 15th as Peace Officers Memo-rial Day. Now on May 15th many people in the U.S. pay tribute to officers who lost their lives or were injured.

Please join with Teamsters Local 320 and honor those who serve and protect our communities.

Douglas Co. S.O. Honor Guard at Peace Officer Memorial on May 15, 2013. From left to right: Bob Peper, Brandon Chaffins, Paul Trautman, Kevin Wiseman and Ron Boyden.

THE REWARDS OF RETIREMENT

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LOCAL 320 RECORDING-SECRETARY’S REPORT

By Curt Swenson

In July, a strong union mem-ber and U of M employee, Don Baker sent a letter to Local 320 officers and staff. Don wrote a sincere compliment of Team-sters Local 320.

Though we are honored by Don’s letter, we never forget that without the stewards and membership taking care of business every single day this Union would not be as strong as it is.

Teamsters like Don Baker are the reason our Local Union continues to grow and succeed. It is because of their loyalty and dedication that all Local 320 members have good contracts and secure futures.

Local 320 officers and staff wish Don the best for his retirement and we thank him for his 22 years of service to the United States Armed Forces.

I’m also happy to report that Minnesota’s public em-ployee pensions are strong. All three funds (MSRS, PERA and the Teachers’ Fund) have an investment return of 14.2 percent for the fiscal year that just ended, and it was much higher than expected.

This year’s strong investment return for public pen-sions demonstrates improved funding ratios and how the total unfunded liability for all three plans is expected to drop. This positive development will ensure the retirement plans remain solvent for future retirees.

The University Teamsters Negotiating Committee and the Administration reached a tentative agree-ment at 10:00 PM, August 20th. If you work for the University please visit our website for additional information at www.teamsterslocal320.org Also, watch for ballots coming soon through the U.S. Mail. Enclosed will be an agreement summary.

Don Baker, U of M Retiree Don Baker retired from the University of Minnesota on August 30th after 13 years as a dedicated employee. Don is a veteran of the United States Army.

Above is a letter Don wrote to Local 320 offi-cers and staff.

Please wish Don a happy retirement and thank him for his service to our Country.

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DONATING TO THE COMMUNITYTeamsters Local 320 has a strong tradition of supporting community events, benefits and charities identi-fied with its’ membership. Not only does the Local Union provide up to $60,000 in scholarships every year for members’ students, but our Union donates directly to important organizations such as the Minnesota Teamsters Food Shelf and Service Bureau; the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Lions Club: the Law Enforcement Memorial Association and Minnesota 100 Club; the Inter-national Brotherhood of Teamsters James R. Hoffa Scholarship Fund and Teamsters National Disaster Relief Fund.

SUPPORTING ONE ANOTHERIn the past when members have been in medical need or financial hardship, Local 320 has supported fundraisers and benefits to lend a hand during difficult times. The Local Union has donated gifts and money to silent auctions for members in need. Local 320 will continue to support charities, organizations and members’ welfare through gifts and financial contributions.

LOCAL 320 PROMOTIONS In the last two years members have requested the Local Union to post notices on the website and Face-book page. Common notices include member events such as births, deaths, fundraisers in addition to foundations such as the Christopher

Goeke Leadership Foundation. In 2012 Teamsters Local 320 repre-sented public defense employee Randy Goeke requested the Union to post a notice for his son, First Lieutenant Christopher Goeke, who was killed responding to an attack in Kandahar City, Afghanistan.

YOUR UNION BULLETIN BOARDThe Teamsters Local 320 Newslet-ter has an 11,000-member circula-tion, the Local 320 website has an average of 73 visitors per day and the Facebook page reaches 1,091 followers. Please feel free to contact the Local 320 Office: Email us at local320@teamsterslocal320.org with your notice or request!

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Gus Froemke will continue as Communications Director while he advocates on our Union’s behalf at the State Capitol.

Froemke joined our Local Union two years ago from Kansas where he was Com-munications Director for the Kansas Organization of State Employees, KOSE.

Prior to his work for KOSE, Froemke was a political orga-nizer for AFSCME Council 61 in Iowa and performed many duties for AFSCME Iowa’s international parent union.

In both Iowa and Kansas Froemke was a registered lobbyist and advocated on behalf of public employees and their issues.

“I will continue my work on behalf of Local 320 mem-bers”, says Froemke. “I will rely on the Local’s leadership to guide me and membership to support me.”

Froemke is originally from the Red River Valley of Minne-sota/ North Dakota and is a graduate from the University of North Dakota, UND.

PLEASE WELCOME GUS TO HIS NEW ROLE

Gus Froemke

GUS FROEMKE IS THE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR FOR TEAMSTERS LOCAL 320 AND NOW STEPS INTO THE ROLE OF LOBBYIST

TEAMSTER SUMMER 2013 PHOTOS

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MINNESOTA TEAMSTERS PUBLIC & LAW ENFORCEMENT EMPLOYEES’ UNION

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55414-9946