Workers Enjoy New Contracts and Join Union with Local 633's Support
School Bus Drivers Join Teamsters
The new Local 633 members at Dover, New Hampshire First Student overwhelmingly ratified their first ever Teamsters contract by a three to one margin.
Secretary/Treasurer David W. Laughton said, "This contract continues the progress that we are committed to in the school bus industry. We believe that we continue to grow in large part due to our members’ satisfaction with what Local 633 has been able to negotiate for them.
"These members are getting very generous wage increases, holidays, longevity pay, 401k with matching contribution, and for the first time many of them have affordable access to healthcare, teamster healthcare."
The nearly thirty members elected a negotiating committee to work alongside Teamster negotiators Kevin Foley and Jeff Padellaro.
Kevin Foley said, "In this economy we are breaking down myths that fair contracts cannot be negotiated. We took the power of the Teamsters and Local 633 and made it work for these members. I look forward to working with them moving forward."
Plaistow Police Officers Continue to Fight for a Fair Contract
After negotiating through one budget year and into a second, the Local 633 members charged with protecting the families of this bedroom community continue their fight.
The contract covering approximately two dozen sergeants, patrolmen, dispatchers, secretaries, and victim witness advocates expired in April 2010. The Town Manager has gone to the extent to deny simple step increases that were negotiated previously, which denies current employees the ability to achieve up to full hourly rate for their position.
Local 633 negotiator Jeff Padellaro said, "We met them on their terms and they rejected the agreement. This is a sad commentary on the administration in Plaistow. We will however continue to fight for a fair contract."
The Town has claimed at the bargaining table that they have no money for the contract, but it has been reported that the Town Manager took a "bonus" of approximately $5000. It has also been reported that the Town has spent in excess of an additional $30,000 on legal services for this contract.
Court Security Officers New Contract Funded
As the Fourth of July approached, New Hampshire Governor John Lynch signed into law the funding mandate for the contract for the newest members of the Teamsters Local 633 family: Court Security Officers.
Their chief responsibility is maintaining security in and around New Hampshire's courts, as well as protecting the sitting Judges while Court is in session
Secretary/Treasurer David W. Laughton, Principal Officer of Local 633 said, "This is a proud day in the history of Local 633. The negotiation and funding of this contract took almost one year, and these courageous men and women will finally get what they deserve. They will now have a powerful voice in the workplace, and they will get their first wage increase in almost a decade."
Lead Negotiator Jeff Padellaro said, "From the beginning we knew we had our work cut out for us. Luckily, we had Court Security Officers Bruce Burnham, Art St. Laurent, Lance Walton, and Bob Levesque on the negotiating committee to help keep the employer representatives in check.
"In all, we got a great contract, and we look forward to moving things forward in a cooperative manner."
The funding for this contract could not have come at a worse time due to the lagging economy. However, because of the fact that many legislators understood and supported the Court Security Officers' quest for their first wage increase, the contract sailed through the legislature.
David W Laughton stated, "Teamsters Local 633 boasts a very powerful presence in the State of New Hampshire, but the successful completion of this contract would not have been possible without the unwavering support from Governor Lynch and Senator Lou D’ellasandro. We thank them for being there for working families."
Plaistow Workers Now Teamsters: Local 633 Wins Labor Board Certification
The Town of Plaistow New Hampshire management employees received some much-deserved respect on March 31. Thanks to Teamsters Local 633 of New Hampshire the group of twelve are now officially Teamsters members.
Teamsters Local 633 filed a written majority authorization petition seeking to represent these workers on January 12. The Town of Plaistow objected and the New Hampshire Public Employees Labor Relations Board (NHPERLB) held a hearing on the matter on February 19, 2010 in Concord, NH.
After a lengthy and through hearing conducted by the NHPERLB, the board rendered a decision favorable to the employees. Teamsters Local 633 of NH already represents the Police Officers in Town in a separate bargaining unit.
The newly formed bargaining unit includes the following positions:
Assessing Clerk, Health Officer, Recreation Director, Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer, Welfare Director, Deputy Tax Collector/Deputy Town Clerk, Deputy Chief of Police, Deputy Fire Chief, Highway Foreman, Highway Laborer, Maintenance Supervisor, Maintenance Worker/Custodian, and Crossing Guard.
"We believe that the employees in the unit certified by the NHPELRB are very happy to be Teamsters. We will help these employees get the respect they deserve for the top-notch service they provide the Town of Plaistow.
"These workers asked for our help and we have their backs. Under the direction of Secretary, Treasurer Dave Laughton, as usual it's a Team effort by Teamsters Local 633 that benefits the members," said Business Agent Kevin Foley who presented the case before the NHPELRB.
Secretary Treasurer David Laughton said, "Teamsters Local 633 continues to lead the way, fighting for and organizing workers from all walks of life that are seeking the best representation possible. This latest victory for these workers is another victory in the long line of victories for the workers we aggressively represent.
"We welcome these experienced and dedicated workers to our Union. We look forward to negotiating a fair contract with the Town for them that provides better wages, secures their health care, and protects their working conditions."