WE LOVE WAKING UP EVERY DAY KNOWING WE ARE TEAMSTERS!

        WE LOVE WAKING UP EVERY DAY                   KNOWING WE ARE TEAMSTERS!

The Teamsters union has played an important role in the lives of both Canada and America's workers since it's founding in 1903.  Even today, in 2018, working folks, both union and non-union, have a long list of reasons to love the labor movement and we want to take a moment on this Valentine's Day to share with you why we love waking up every day knowing we are Teamsters!

I love waking up every day knowing I am a Teamster for many reasons but as a woman one of the most important is Equal Pay for Equal Work!  Today many women, families and communities struggle because of the wage gap.  A typical white woman gets paid 83 cents for every dollar a man earns, for black and hispanic women it's worse at 65 and 58 cents on the dollar.  April 10, 2018 is the next Equal Pay Day, this date symbolizes how far into the year women must work to earn what men earned the previous year.  The Teamsters were the first to secure a gender blind and color blind contract in 1917, before the 19th Amendment when women gained the right to vote in 1920 & the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  Some have predicted that closing the wage gap would take until 2186, the minute I joined the Teamsters in 1993, I was paid equal, it's economic & common sense,  I know I'm worth it!

Andy Galaway:  "I loving being a TEAMSTER for many reasons, we negotiate for benefits like medical, dental, eye care, wages, paid vacations and working with a diverse group of people.  Our negotiated contracts means it's better to bargain than to beg.  Solidarity!" -Teamster for 16yrs.

FACT:   Collective bargaining (also called contract negotiations) is the heart and soul of the labor movement. It is when workers band together to negotiate workplace matters with their employer. The end result is a collective bargaining agreement or contract that spells out in black and white all of the terms both parties agree to, from pay rates and benefits, to a grievance procedure, time off and more.  -Teamsters.org

Meekel Allen:  "My wages and benefits make me and my family smile!" -Teamster for 22yrs.

FACT:  Research shows that inter-generational mobility and union membership go hand in hand. Mobility is greater not just for children whose parents are members of a union, but even for people who merely live in areas where union membership is strong. -Center for American Progress

Cherie Broberg:  "I love waking up every day knowing I am a Teamster because I'm thankful & fortunate to have benefits, paid vacation and a defined pension." -Teamster for 24yrs.

FACT:  The majority of union members participate in defined-benefit plans. Because union  members are better paid during their working years, they earn larger pensions — and have a better chance to save for retirement. -The Union Difference for Working Families Fact Sheet

Bob Dayton:  "To be a Teamster has been a blessing knowing that I will always have rights and a voice.  Harassment is not tolerated for production, our union is strong!  A honest days work for a honest days pay to provide for me and my family.  No one individual is the same but we are all sisters and brothers trying to provide and enjoy life.  I am proud to be a Teamster now & forever!  Thanks for the freedom!" -Teamster for 27yrs.

FACT:  Union members work together to negotiate and enforce a contract with management that guarantees the things you care about like a workplace free from harassment and being treated with dignity & respect.  Working people in unions make improvements at the workplace, and they fight to improve the rights of all people. Union members helped create workplace health and safety standards, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Family Medical Leave Act, increases to minimum wage, workers’ compensation and lots of the other laws you rely on. -AFL-CIO

Ron Peterson:  "Teamsters treat me well.  I will always be a Teamster!" -Teamster for 38yrs.

FACT:  The total number of union members grew by 262,000 in 2017.  Three fourths of those gains were among workers under 35. -Economic Policy Institute

Here's just one more reason from the many, why we love being Teamsters, enjoy!

Elvis Presley was a Teamster. Elvis drove a truck for Crown Electric in Memphis for three years, and always carried his union card even after he became famous. Elvis said he could always get a job if the singing gig didn’t work out because he was a Teamster.

Elvis Love Me Tender w/ The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

If you're a Teamster, family member, friend or ally join us today & use the photos below to share with your social media community!  

                       Thanks for sharing!
                              #TEAMSTERS
                                          @Teamsters

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 


Resources:

https://teamster.org/about/teamster-history/early-years

https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/economy/reports/2015/09/09/120558/bargaining-for-the-american-dream/

http://dpeaflcio.org/programs-publications/issue-fact-sheets/the-union-difference-for-working-families/http://teamsters332.com/teamsters-fun-facts/

http://www.epi.org/publication/biggest-gains-in-union-membership-in-2017-were-for-younger-workers/