Union: U.S. workers deserve paid vacation time
June 3, 2019 |  There’s been a lot of talk about the need for higher wages, quality health care and retirement security in this space. But what about paid time off? The U.S. is the only advanced economy that does not federally mandate any paid vacation days or holidays for workers. So as a result, companies don’t prioritize it, and nearly a quarter of the nation’s workforce doesn’t receive any paid time off, according to an updated report by the Center for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)… teamster.org

Status on UPS back pay
June 5, 2019 | The company expects the back pay to be issued the first pay period of July. This contract was the richest in Teamster history and the back pay just for the nine months between August 1, 2018 and April 29, 2019 is approximately $660 million. The company is currently calculating back pay for 250,000 employees with various hours worked, multiple classifications and pay rates. Many employees work more than one classification with different pay rates in one week or even within one day. Any time a member works in more than one job in any one day, it triggers a calculation requiring someone to manually calculate the pay rate figures. The company estimates that there will be over 200,000 manual calculations required to ensure that the back pay is accurate and they will be working on this through June. UPS is keeping us informed and is working to make this happen as quickly as possible. UPS Rising

Teamster leaders meet for Warehouse Division Conference
June 11, 2019 | About 150 Teamster leaders from local unions that represent warehouse workers met in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho last week to discuss the major issues and campaigns affecting the more than 200,000 warehouse Teamsters. "We have many challenges ahead, but by working together--the local unions, the Joint Councils and the International Union--we will take these challenges head-on to make sure our members' interests are protected," said Steve Vairma, Director of the Teamsters Warehouse Division. Leaders discussed the national organizing campaign under way at Sysco, and the campaigns to protect Teamsters at US Foods/FSA and UNFI/Supervalu… Teamsters

Water. Rest. Shade.
June 27, 2019 | The stagnant hot, humid air over our region is contributing to poor air quality. A "Code Orange" Air quality alert is in effect Thursday, indicating unhealthy conditions for sensitive groups, including children, the elderly and people with heart or lung illnesses. Temperatures around Baltimore are forecast to reach the lower 90s Wednesday and Thursday, could approach the mid-90s on Friday, and again reach the lower 90s Saturday. Little relief is in the forecast beyond that, with temperatures in the mid- and upper-80s going into next week... Baltimore Sun Heat illness can be deadly. If you work outside you need to protect yourself: Drink water often. Rest in the shade. Report symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Both heat illnesses require emergency care… Teamster Fact Sheet on Heat Stress here.

Do you have your REAL ID license yet?
June 26, 2019 | If you recently received a letter in the mail from MVA about your driver's license, do not ignore it! For many of you, a valid license allows you to earn a good living so don't put it at risk. The deadline for being REAL ID compliant is fast approaching. If you are not REAL ID compliant by Oct. 1, 2020, a police officer will confiscate the revoked license if you are stopped for a traffic violation and you’ll have to go through the trouble to go to an MVA office with the proper documentation to get it back. Here's what you need to know... 992 News