February 24, 2015

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

It was a very busy holiday season at the TWU Local 252 office as we continued to move forward with the goals I established along with the assistance of the Executive Board. The most urgent goals on my agenda included affordable health care coverage for members who currently pay extremely high premiums, priced out of obtaining coverage altogether, or who just want an option for the coverage they currently have and the Union Benefit Fund.  It is a long, tedious, and at times frustrating process working with potential health care providers and it requires a great deal of time.  However, we continue to strive for the best health care plan available to us.  We are also closer to establishing a Union Benefit Fund that will provide a one-time payment to retiring members.  The parameters of the benefit payment and qualifications of the retiring members are being addressed and a memo will be provided to the members outlining those details at a later date.  

As many of you are aware, we were compelled by the NLRB to conduct an election at Veolia Transportation on December 30, 2014 as a result of a petition filed by three TWU Local 252 members who wanted to start their own union.  As expected, and along with the support of our International office, leaders and members from other TWU locals and our very own Local 252 members from all represented companies, TWU Local 252 overwhelmingly won the right to remain as Veolia Transportation members’ union representatives by a vote of 480-80!  .  I would like to thank those members for their support and solidarity!  We are a strong Local with over 3,700 members, whose International office represents over 116,000 members! It is important to realize that we are a stronger labor force when we stand together as one!

Local 252 union representatives continue to receive training and communication with members has greatly improved so that we can effectively resolve issues with higher success rates!

Additionally, we successfully ratified two contracts in the past couple of months with Guardian Bus Company and Baumann Bus Company achieving long overdue substantial raises, health care coverage and safer working conditions. 

I have attended several conferences since becoming President including the Labor Arbitration Conference this past week.  These conferences offer practical training in a variety of labor-related subjects as well as an opportunity to meet and discuss these issues with other labor leaders.

Finally, during the International’s Executive Council and Board Meeting held February 10-12, 2015, I was appointed Executive Board Member.  This position will allow Local 252 to work closely with the International and continue to benefit from their support.

To date, I believe we have made great strides in improving support, providing information and services to our members and I look forward to continued improvement of the unity of Local 252!

                                                                        In solidarity,

                                                                        Debra A. Hagan, President