I cannot believe how fast this year has gone by! It seems like yesterday; we were beginning 2019 and now the year is coming to an end. It has been a busy year for us here at Local 294. We have spent most of the year focused on settling outstanding collective bargaining agreements. Most of those negotiations center on raising the standard of living for our members, ensuring safe working conditions and increasing benefits for both workers and their families. Organizing new members has been a priority as well. More members mean a stronger voice and more bargaining power to keep employers from reverting back to work practices we have fought long and hard to overcome.
We also celebrated the retirement of many Local 294 Union members this year. Many have joined our very active retiree clubs in Utica and in Albany. I hope that if you are planning to retire some time soon you consider joining as well. Retirees are a much-needed force that continue to make our union stronger and becoming a retiree club member is a great way to stay involved with Union issues, foster fraternal ties and enjoy many activities while remaining part of the labor movement.
On June 2nd, at our General Membership Meeting, Local 294 Teamsters Care awarded twenty-three (23) $1,000 scholarships to graduating Teamster children and dependents and on September 21st, we had a phenomenal member golf tournament to raise money for this great cause. I hope you enjoy the pictures we have included in this edition.
We are pleased to announce the creation of a new Mortgage Discount Benefit Program for all our active and retired members. It is sponsored by the Premium Mortgage Corporation and it provides discounts on closing costs, a free pre-approval, free credit and debt consolidation counseling! See inside for more details!
Remember that November 5th is Election Day! Union members can be a driving force in any election as it is an opportunity to cast your vote for our issues, our union candidates and proven allies and also an opportunity to send friends of corporate interests packing! Check out our list of endorsements inside!
As the year winds down and we move along to the holiday season, remember that our December General Membership Meeting, our annual Holiday Breakfast, will be held on December 1st at the Desmond in Albany. This is our largest event of the year and should not be missed! It is the perfect time to celebrate together and enjoy the camaraderie of brother and sisterhood!
And lastly, thank you to all our Union brothers and sisters who have shown their support this year! Thank you to those who attended membership meetings and contract meetings, thank you to those who supported Teamsters Care and the Women’s Committee, thank you to those who asked “How can I help?” or “What can I do?” Thank you to every single person who did whatever they could, however big or small it might seem to make our Union stronger. Your help is greatly appreciated!
Always remember, you are the Union! The more involved you are, the stronger we are together. Happy Holidays!
