Bulletins straight from the top

March 27, 2023, 7:20:41 p.m.

Gary Watson, President Teamsters Union Local 533 (775) 348-6060 ext. 104

Brothers and Sisters,

I am pleased to announce that Keolis Transit was unsuccessful in its pursuit to overturn an arbitration award regarding Brother Michael Rowan, in U.S. District Court Judge Richard F. Boulware II, denied Keolis’ motion to vacate the award and confirmed the Union’s motion to confirm the award. Congratulations, to Brother Rowan, again! Order attached.

The Union will be filing a motion in the coming days seeking attorney fees related to Keolis’ lawsuit.

Yet again, this is further evidence Keolis spares no expense in its pursuit of abusing its workforce. It is irresponsible and should be embarrassing that RTC Washoe doesn’t do more to protect the most important aspect of public transit, its workforce.

With your help and assistance, Local 533 will continue to expose Keolis and its abusive behavior.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Please share with friends and family.

In Solidarity,

GARY WATSON, President
Teamsters Union Local 533
(775) 348-6060 ext. 104

16 Mar 2023 12:59 a.m.

Sijsters and Brothers:

Keolis and the abuses of its employees are not limited to Reno, NV. If you read this National Labor Relations Board settlement, it has identical and similar labor violations against its Virginia workforce as they had and continue to have in Reno. This is a national trend with Keolis.

What can be done to help prevent this bad behavior in the future for Reno, Sparks and Washoe County Transit? More accountability.

The Teamsters can only hold Keolis accountable to our Collective Bargaining Agreement, which expires in 15 months. We need the assistance of the RTC Washoe to hold its contractor accountable to the Public. Please demand more from Keolis, let’s prevent future transit disasters in our region.

Please let me know if you have any questions, I am always available for a discussion.

Please share with friends and family.

In Solidarity,

GARY WATSON, President
Teamsters Union Local 533
(775) 348-6060 ext. 104

March 8, 2023

Sisters and Brothers:

Gary Watson, President Teamsters Union Local 533 (775) 348-6060 ext. 104

Here is a video of Sen. Bernie Sanders' U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee's recent hearing on worker’s rights, at which Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien testified on Capitol Hill along with Liz Shuler, President of the AFL-CIO, Mary Kay Henry, President of SEIU and two union-busting sympathizers (scum).

Overall, the whole session is worth a watch. The labor movement is alive and kicking, General President O’Brien is positioning the Teamsters as a force to be reckoned with and is not going to let employers or politicians push our membership around. This cannot be accomplished without your encouragement and support.

President Shuler has a great statement regarding the authority of the National Labor Relations ACT (NLRA) where she states that you get a “bigger fine for violating fishing laws in many states than you do for busting unions”.  

When an employer violates the NLRA, the employer is only required to post a paper notice that it violated the ACT (Let that sink in a little). I enjoy fishing and hunting (I am not going to claim that I am very good at either), but if Fish and Game catches me with over the limit of fish, I will be issued a hefty fine.  Hunting illegally brings an even bigger fine. Could you imagine what would happen if a hunter/fisherman only had to do a paper posting?

The only thing Employers understand is Profit and Loss sheets. Violating the NLRA needs to have some teeth for employers, with real penalties and fines assessed, because Employers only understand one thing, MONEY, and lots of it.

If you skip to the 1:05:49 mark on the video, you will see General President O’Brien having an intense discussion with Republican Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullins. Keep in mind that Senator Mullins’ net worth is between $35 and $70 million. General President O’Brien is very much in tune with who our opponents are, whether they be politicians, employers or union busters. All Teamsters and trade unionists will appreciate this exchange which made major TV networks.

THE PRO ACT NEEDS TO PASS!

Please share with friends and family.

In Solidarity,

GARY WATSON, President
Teamsters Union Local 533
(775) 348-6060 ext. 104

Déjà vu all over again?

11-18-2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
GARY WATSON, President
Teamsters Union Local 533
(775) 348-6060 ext. 104
Links and 3+ decades of Teamsters/RTC history may be accessed via NevadaLabor.com

TRANSIT STRIKES MAY SPREAD TO NEVADA

RENO, Nev. USA (Nov. 18, 2022) — Keolis Transit's abuse of workers has made strikes possible with a wide array of mass transit systems across the country including Reno and Las Vegas.

In a Nov. 17 letter to Aline Franzten, President and CEO of Keolis Transit America, Amalgamated Transit Union Associate General Counsel Christopher Bangs stated "As you know, ATU Local 689 members at Keolis’s facility in Loudoun County, Virginia, have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike, following months of unproductive bargaining with your negotiators.

"It is disappointing that the relationship between ATU and Keolis has deteriorated so far, but it is wholly through Keolis’s own conduct," Bangs stated, adding "Keolis has repeatedly violated federal labor law at this facility and across the country, with the NLRB (National Labor Relations Board) finding merit to ULPs (unfair labor practice charges) against Keolis in 47 separate cases since June 2020, including four here in Loudoun County.

"Keolis has stonewalled negotiations with ATU for months and Keolis has now brought us to the brink of an unnecessary strike, just like it did repeatedly in Reno, Nevada.

"This letter is to advise you that if and when our members go on strike, ATU Local 689 has the affirmative right to picket at any Keolis facility in the United States as part of our legally protected primary strike, which may include but may not be limited to Keolis’s facilities in Pomona, Reno, Las Vegas, Boston and Prince William and Rappahannock counties, Manassas, and Fredericksburg, Virginia. If Keolis would like to establish a reserve gate at any of its facilities for third parties like vendors or subcontractors, please coordinate such reserve gates with the undersigned.

"It is our sincere hope a strike will be avoided in Loudoun County. Whether that will happen depends on you."

Teamsters Union Local 533 members walked out three times in 2021 because of Keolis mismanagement of the Washoe County (Reno/Sparks) regional transit system. The union prevailed in all three "Hat Trick Strikes."

A copy of attorney Bangs' letter and the history of the Washoe transit system's relationship with the union starting in the1990s may be accessed at NevadaLabor.com/

Chartered in 1934, Teamsters Local 533 represents about 2,300 workers in various trades throughout northern Nevada and eastern California, including Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County/Keolis employees.

 

CWA 9413/AFL-CIO
Z11/18 ATU LTR/keolis/ibt/unews/opsn22

 

HAT TRICK: Teamsters mass transit 3-strike wins named 2021 top story
Union "out-messaged" foreign bus management contractor
By Bob Conrad / ThisIsReno.com / 12-30-2021

 

Michael Joseph Guerra, 1956-2022

Reno, NV — Longtime union activist and transit operator Michael Guerra died on August 31 due to complications from Parkinson's disease. He was 65.

"Rain or shine, heat or cold, smoke or smog, Mike stood with us on the picket lines through all three 2021 transit strikes," stated Teamsters Local 533 President Gary Watson. "He was a true union warrior."

His family said his condition had deteriorated surprisingly quickly over the past few months.

A celebration of his life will be held 1:30 to 3:30 pm. Saturday, Sept. 24, at the North Valleys Community Center, 8085 Silver Lake Road in the Stead area of Reno, Nevada (89506).
Finger food and desserts will be served. Anyone wanting to add to the spread is welcome to contribute.

Michael Joseph Guerra was born on Nov. 2, 1956 in Lompoc, Calif. to Joseph Guerra and Olivia Rodriguez. He graduated from Mar Vista High School in Imperial Beach.

He is survived by his mother Olivia Rodriguez Guerra Baker, his son, Kristopher, and many cousins. He further leaves close friends Danny Vegas, Catherine Esther Gardner, union brother Joel Danforth and union family.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents Jose and Lucretia Rodriguez, his father Joseph Guerra and stepfather Harold Baker.

His career was union public transit, first in California, then Nevada.

He joined Teamsters Local 533 on May 3, 1990 and served as a union shop steward for much of that tenure while working as an RTCRide coach operator.

He enjoyed motorcycles, jazz, blues and San Diego NFL football and major league baseball.

His organs were donated to save transplant victims. His cremains were given to his mother, Olivia (Rodriguez Guerra) Baker.

A GoFundMe page has been uploaded by friends to help the family with his final expenses. The website is gofund.me/c1fed539/

Donations may be also be sent via checks or money orders payable to Mike's mother, Olivia Baker, addressed to her attention at Teamsters Local 533, 1190 Selmi Drive No. 100, Reno 89512.

More information may be obtained by contacting Joel Danforth (775) 200-6229, Cathy Gardner (386) 341-2058 or Pep Monteleon (775) 232-8473.

Personal remembrances may be posted at https://www.facebook.com/michael.guerra.5249/

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HELP THE FAMILY OF BROTHER MIKE GUERRA, 1956-2022
Sparks Tribune / 9-28-2022

Rest in peace, brother. Your work will continue.

 

June 17 , 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
GARY WATSON, President
Teamsters Union Local 533
(775) 348-6060 ext. 104
Links, recent archives & 3+ decades of Teamsters/RTC history at NevadaLabor.com
The Regional Transportation Commission will meet at 9:00 a.m. PDT June 17 in the Washoe County Commission chambers, 9th & Wells, Reno. (Watch live or in reruns)

SORE LOSERS: Transit system loses legal actions
Taxpayers hit with hundreds of thousands in costs while rewarding chief executive

"Keolis and their mouthpiece, RTC, spare no expense at losing" — Gary Watson, Teamsters 533 President

RENO, Nev. USA (June 17, 2022)—> The besieged Washoe County mass transit system recently lost a series of very costly legal actions but continues to waste taxpayer money on hopeless vindictive appeals while rewarding incompetent management.

Gary Watson, President Teamsters Union Local 533 (775) 348-6060 ext. 104

The cases involve workers who were victims of intentional abuse. Two were even improperly fired for using their cellular phones. Another was illegally terminated for her union activities.

Dispatcher Daleen Smothers was not only illegally fired but also barred from Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County (RTC) property and libelously blackballed when she sought other employment. On April 26, 2022, a federal arbitrator awarded Ms. Smothers $50,000 in punitive damages with additional potential interest and attorney fees.

As a union shop steward and officer, Ms. Smothers had been involved in filing more than 200 grievances on behalf of her fellow employees. She had worked for the mass transit system since 1999. Two federal arbitrators found in her favor. Her attorney Michael Langton asked for a jury trial in a related civil case accusing the RTC of "intentional interference with prospective employment."

The taxpayers now face potential exposure in that action of $200,000.00 plus legal fees.

Illegally fired dispatcher Carrie Kincaid was wrongfully terminated in 2019. A federal arbitrator ruled in her favor twice, awarding back wages and benefits totaling $116,451.82. She recently returned to her job.

CELL-PHONE ROULETTE. Last month, foreign-owned contractor Keolis Transit, which runs the Washoe County mass transit system, sued Teamsters Local 533 in federal court after the union won reinstatement plus $85,904.02 in back pay and benefits for an unjustly fired RTCRide coach operator. Earlier this year, another employee in the same situation received a decision awarding him over $112,000.00.

For-profit Keolis Transit fired both drivers for using their cell phones.

"I wonder what Keolis might say to now-retired coach operator, former union vice-president and chief shop steward George Thrower who once foiled an armed robbery in Sparks while on duty," stated Teamsters Local 533 President Gary Watson.

On June 16, another illegally terminated worker won reinstatement.

"Perhaps Keolis is still mad that we had to sue them to enforce the federal mask mandate to protect passengers and workers," the longtime labor leader added.

"This looks like the opening volley of a Keolis Transit PR campaign to get its exorbitant management contract renewed after losing all three of last year's Hat Trick Strikes," Watson said.

George Thrower on the job back in the day. The RTC honored him for his bravery.

"At minimum, Keolis should immediately disclose to the Regional Transportation board how any costs of their spurious and scurrilous court action will be passed onto taxpayers either directly or indirectly," Watson demanded.

"Unfortunately, none of these items appear on Friday's RTC meeting agenda, just the latest of many sins of omission by RTC and its partner in passenger abuse," Watson charged.

"Transit system ridership plummeted from the day Keolis took over in July of 2019, fully eight months before the COVID-19 shutdown," Watson noted.

RTC board members were highly critical of Keolis performance at their January 21 meeting.

Sparks Mayor Ed Lawson said “We need to blow the thing up and build a better system."

Washoe County Commissioner Bob Lucey added that “we are subsidizing something that is failing. Why are we continuing to chase a broken model?” [[UPDATE: Mr. Lucey was defeated for re-election on June 14.]]

"Incredibly, RTC board members in April rewarded RTC Executive Director Bill Thomas with a huge raise on top of his already cushy six-figure salary," Watson stated.

Mr. Thomas now enjoys a total compensation package of $350,265.41 according to information provided by RTC. [1]

"That approaches the $400,000 salary of the president of the United States," Watson noted. "Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak only makes $149,573 and donates it to charity," he added. "Mr. Thomas' position comes nowhere near those levels of responsibility."

"This begs the question as to what changed between January and April to compel the board's astounding generosity.

"We urge taxpayers and passengers to contact the RTC directors because of this European corporation's demonstrable incompetence over the past three years," the longtime labor leader concluded.

Chartered in 1934, Teamsters Local 533 represents about 2,200 workers in various trades throughout northern Nevada and eastern California.
---------------
CONTACT RTC OFFICIALS / Highlight, copy and paste
schieveh@reno.gov (Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve-NP),
vhartung@washoecounty.us (Washoe County Commissioner Vaughn Hartung-R),
jardonn@reno.gov (Reno Councilmember/RTC Chair Neoma Jardon-R),
elawson@cityofsparks.us (Sparks Mayor Ed Lawson-R),
blucey@washoecounty.us (County Commissioner Bob Lucey-R),
bthomas@rtcwashoe.com (RTC Executive Director Bill Thomas),
mmaloney@rtcwashoe.com (Mark Maloney, Operations Director),
rtcpubliccomments@rtcwashoe.com (RTC board e-mail),

RTC Washoe Contact Information — Utilize frequently

The Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County is comprised of Sparks Mayor Ed Lawson (R), Washoe County Commissioners Vaughn Hartung (R) and Bob Lucey (R); Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve (NP), Reno City Councilmember Neoma Jardon, (R), board chair. RTC board e-mail <rtcpubliccomments@rtcwashoe.com>, bthomas@rtcwashoe.com (RTC Executive Director Bill Thomas),

Mayor Schieve replaced Reno City Councilmember Oscar Delgado (D) in June 2022.

           [1] Executive Director Bill Thomas annual compensation

Salary                                                             $   230,999.93 Deferred Compensation                                       16,170.00 Public Employees Retirement System                  68,722.48 Health, Dental, Life Insurance                              27,173.00 Auto allowance                                                       6,000.00 Cell phone allowance              _                             1,200.00                   Total annual compensation     $   350.265.41 Financial information provided by RTC June 7, 2022.

CWA 9413/AFL-CIO

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BREAKING NEWS 5-24-2022 —> Longtime regional transportation commissioner and no friend of Local 533 Oscar Delgado, D, has stepped down. His replacement will be named by the Reno City Council from among four candidates on June 1, 2022. (More from the 5-25-2022 Sparks Tribune)

UPDATE—> Barbwire / Sparks Tribune /6-15-2022 Mayor Hillary Schieve replaces Delgado.

RAZING THE BUS SYSTEM
A profusion of profligacy, confusion, conjobs, collusion and collapse
LET THEM EAT MASKS
Sparks-Reno superspreadators give booby bus boss big bucks
Sparks Tribune 5-4-2022

¡Feliz cumpleaños César Chávez! / Happy Birthday, hermano!
Born 3-31-1927 / Nevada's César Chávez Day
César Chávez, spinmeisters and hatemongers
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 3-30-2022

Sexy ways to commit societal suicide
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 3-23-2022

March 21, 2022 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT GARY WATSON, President Teamsters Union Local 533 (775) 348-6060 ext. 104 Links, recent archives & 3+ decades of Teamsters/RTC history at NevadaLabor.com STRIKE 4 SHUTOUT: Teamsters 40, Bus Busters ZERO KEOLIS TRANSIT SIGNS SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT ON MORE LABOR VIOLATIONS 40 National Labor Relations Board Charges Settled in Teamsters Union Favor RENO, Nev. USA (March 21, 2022) — Go and sin no more —> and you have to confess your transgressions to your workers in writing. So said the National Labor Relations Board, or words to that effect last week as the federal body validated the latest settlement between Teamsters Union Local 533 and foreign-owned Keolis Transit for violations of the National Labor Relations Act. FIRE KEOLIS! —Teamsters Union members march on Reno City Hall (11-10-2021) “This brings the total number of charges settled to 40, with more likely to follow,” stated Teamsters Local 533 President Gary Watson. The agreement requires Keolis to post the more than two dozen findings verbatim where all employees may read them. (View the full decision at the Teamsters 533 section at NevadaLabor.com/) "These 40 charges, all resolved in union workers’ favor, should finally paint a clear picture of how the contractor for the Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County mismanages public transit operations," Watson added. “This settlement agreement was obtained due to our members’ dedication and resiliency by standing strong together against adversity. The National Labor Relations Board settlement agreement includes a monetary settlement for two of our sisters who were retaliated against for honoring picket lines, among many other violations related to the three strikes of 2021,” Watson noted. “I am incredibly grateful for my union," stated union member Rachel Drum. "They have diligently protected me against the retaliation of Keolis Transit which tried to coerce and intimidate me to cross the picket line. I refused and was subsequently terminated,” she added. Sister Drum will be returning to the job shortly, recouping all back wages and benefits. Numerous labor violations were committed specifically against female workers. “It is appalling and unacceptable for anyone to be subject to such draconian treatment by Keolis," Watson asserted. "Workers deserve safe working conditions free from harassment. This settlement is a victory for all our members,” he added. “The appointed commissioners of RTC Washoe — Neoma Jardon, Oscar Delgado, Bob Lucey, Vaughn Hartung and Ed Lawson — allowed their Executive Director, Bill Thomas, to explicitly state during the strikes that Keolis was bargaining in good faith, while the Teamsters were not,“ Watson said. [CONTACT INFO] [LAWSON: Burn it down and start over] “Those commissioners should demand that Mr. Thomas publicly denounce Keolis’ actions and should offer the passengers, our community and our members a public apology. Additionally, they should retract their endorsement of Keolis and put safeguards in place to protect our workers in public transit,” Watson stated. PENSION FUND STILL OWED A QUARTER MILLION: Last year, an independent audit found Keolis past due on pension fund contributions dating as far back as 2019. The money has still not been paid. This came on top of an independent arbitrator's finding that Keolis failed to enforce COVID-19 masking mandates which are still in effect. Keolis and elected officials have taken no action despite two years of smoking gun violations. HEART OF THE UNION. Logan Lansborough, now 11, became the poster child of the 2021 Hat Trick Strikes which the union won to national acclaim last year. He has no lower legs due to a genetic flaw but nonetheless took to his wheelchair and joined his father, Michael, on downtown Reno picket lines. (Photos at the front page of NevadaLabor.com/) The Lansboroughs had little time to savor their union's victories. RTCRide transit operator Michael underwent successful heart surgery earlier this year. He is the sole support of his family and will not be cleared to return to work for weeks if not months. A GoFundMe page has been set up by friends https://gofund.me/7eae2ed0 Those who would like to help by mail may make checks or money orders payable to Michael Lansborough and send to his attention at Teamsters Local 533, 1190 Selmi Drive, Suite 100, Reno NV 89512. Chartered in 1934, Teamsters Local 533 represents about 2,300 workers in various trades throughout northern Nevada and eastern California, including about 200 RTC/Keolis employees. For more information, go to http://teamsters533.org/. ========= BLASTS FROM THE PAST — The Barbwire never forgets: The Washoe County Commission will consider a raft of voting "reforms" at its March 22 meeting. The Nye County Commission recently passed similar requirements, several of likewise questionable legality. Both would require a return to old-fashioned handwritten ballots. Read about two legendary Nye County paper ballot boondoggles at NevadaLabor.com and in Wednesday's Sparks Tribune. Also: How to skulduggerously impact a handwritten ballot recount. Those who forget history are condemned to repeat it. And don't forget to check your local voter registration. CWA 9413/AFL-CIO March 17, 2022 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT GARY WATSON, President Teamsters Union Local 533 (775) 348-6060 ext. 104 Links, recent archives & 3+ decades of Teamsters/RTC history at NevadaLabor.com Workers win, abusive contractor loses. Again. KEOLIS TRANSIT SIGNS SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT ON MORE LABOR VIOLATIONS 40 National Labor Relations Board Charges Settled in Teamsters Union Favor RENO, Nev. USA (March 17, 2022) — Keolis Transit has come to terms and settled 17 additional labor charges with Teamsters 533 for violations of the National Labor Relations Act. “This brings the total number of charges settled to 40, with more likely to follow,” stated Teamsters Local 533 President Gary Watson. Gary Watson, President Teamsters Union Local 533 (775) 348-6060 ext. 104 These 40 charges, all resolved in the union workers’ favor, should finally paint a clear picture of how the contractor for the Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County mismanages public transit operations. “This settlement agreement was obtained due to our members’ dedication and resiliency by standing strong together against adversity. The National Labor Relations Board Settlement agreement details a monetary settlement for two of our sisters who were retaliated against for honoring the picket line, among many other violations related to the three strikes in 2021,” said Watson. “I am incredibly grateful for my union," stated union member Rachel Drum. "They have diligently protected me against the retaliation of Keolis Transit which tried to coerce and intimidate me to cross the picket line. I refused and was subsequently terminated,” she added. Sister Drum will be returning to the job shortly, recouping all back wages and benefits. Numerous labor violations were committed specifically against female workers. “It is appalling and unacceptable for anyone to be subject to such draconian treatment by Keolis," Watson asserted. "Workers deserve safe working conditions free from harassment. This settlement is a victory for all our members,” he added. “The appointed commissioners of RTC Washoe — Neoma Jardon, Oscar Delgado, Bob Lucey, Vaughn Hartung and Ed Lawson — allowed their Executive Director, Bill Thomas, to explicitly state during the strikes that Keolis was bargaining in good faith, while the Teamsters were not,“ Watson said. [CONTACT INFO] [LAWSON: Burn it down and start over] “Those commissioners should demand that Mr. Thomas publicly denounce Keolis’ actions and should offer the passengers, our community and our members a public apology. Additionally, they should retract their endorsement of Keolis and put safeguards in place to protect our workers in public transit,” Watson stated. Chartered in 1934, Teamsters Local 533 represents about 2,300 workers in various trades throughout northern Nevada and eastern California, including about 200 RTC/Keolis employees. For more information, go to http://teamsters533.org/.

Helping a Teamsters family in their time of need: Good News!

One final act of mercy

David Toll: Compleatly Nevadian
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 2-23-2022

New Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien comments about Reno Hat Trick Strikes vs. Keolis-19
By Jonathan Soroff / Boston Magazine / 2-8-2022

Dirty deeds done dirt cheap: Workers stiffed for $250,000 for two years
Washoe bus system mismanager owes Teamsters pension fund big time
Smoking Guns

Treasure the age of the republic's wane
We carry on with business as usual as we treasure the remaining time in our democracy's decline.
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 2-2-2022

Up your UPS in Sparks

Demonstrations at UPS Sparks Teamsters demonstrate in Nevada & California Interview with Local 533 CEO Debbie Calkins KRNV TV-4 & KRXI TV-11 / 1-27-2022 KTVN TV-2 video Debbie Calkins Secretary-Treasurer & Principal Officer First woman to head the union Teamsters protest potential pay cut for UPS part-timers Lotsa photos + audio / ThisIsReno.com 1-28-2022 Actions across Northern California and Nevada protest UPS pay cut move Teamsters Joint Council 7 / 1-27-2022 Teamsters Local 533 will hold a day of action in support of our Teamster membership working at United Parcel Service (UPS). This action will take place at all UPS facilities in Northern California and Northern Nevada, in peaceful support of our members who just recently were forced to take a massive pay reduction while United Parcel Service has been raking in billions of quarterly profits. (See above.) Times: 8:30am to 10am & 4pm to 6pm Date: January 27, 2022 Location: UPS Facility – 45 Vista Blvd. Suite 102, Sparks NV 89434 For more information contact Teamsters 533 CEO Debbie Calkins (775) 348-6060 ext. 105 Business Agent Ross Kinson (775) 348-6060 ext. 106 NevadaLabor.com Teamsters Local 533 War Room including complete local coverage of 1997 UPS national strike

Rittenhouse in Reno & rationality in Sparks?
RTC commissioners agree with Teamsters — Will wonders never cease?!
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 1-26-2022

Transportation commissioners blast their own transit system
By Bob Conrad / ThisIsReno.com 1-21-2022

Arbitrator finds Keolis violated union agreement by failing to enforce masks on buses
By Bob Conrad / ThisIsReno.com 1-18-2022

Greenpeace graphic. Thanks.

SUPERSPREADER 2.0
Found guilty, foreign-owned RTCWashoe bus system contractor still refuses to enforce mask mandates
BUSINESS AS USUAL: Regional Transportation Commission meets today to "approve safety management plan" while jam-packed buses continue as COVID-19 superspreader

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
CHRIS FUQUA, Vice-President
Teamsters Union Local 533
(775) 348-6060 ext. 103
Links, references, supporting documents, recent archives & 3+ decades of Teamsters/RTC history at NevadaLabor.com

RENO, Nev. USA (January 21, 2022) — "Our collapsing bus system is collapsing around its passengers and workers, crushing them with COVID," Teamsters Local 533 Vice-President Chris Fuqua will tell Regional Transportation Commissioners on Friday morning.

"We have beaten the commission's for-profit foreign contractor on the streets, winning the three Hat Trick Strikes of 2021," Fuqua says.

"This week, we again beat them before federal regulators who found in favor of the workers on 17 counts with 17 more to go," he added.

"Most important, federal arbitrator Stephen Hayford ordered France-based contractor Keolis Transit to “take whatever steps are necessary to ensure going forward that when a bargaining unit Coach Operator reports the presence of an unmasked passenger on his/her bus to RTC Dispatch, the passenger is promptly intercepted and engaged by a Keolis supervisor, management official or Security official. Keolis is further directed to make certain that when that encounter transpires and a non-exempt passenger continues to refuse to wear a mask while on the bus, the passenger is removed from the bus.”

“Just that situation happened this week to our member Chastity Lockridge, a longtime bus operator. The passenger was not removed and Ms. Lockridge is now on sick leave with COVID-19,” Fuqua charged.

In an identical situation last year in Los Angeles, Keolis fired an immuno-suppressed African-American driver on from chemotherapy because she told a passenger to don a mask.

"Turning the transit system into a superspreader could have largely been avoided had not Regional Transportation System of Washoe County Executive Director Bill Thomas secretly and unilaterally waived all cash performance penalties starting in March of 2020. Keolis could thus operate with impunity and they continue to do so, endangering the public,” Fuqua said.

"Subcontracting of critically needed public services needs serious review," the labor leader added. [UPDATE: Wonder of wonders — RTC commissioners agree. Finally.]

"The current pass-the-buck system is good for only one thing: nothing is ever anyone's fault or responsibility," Fuqua stated.

“No one will accept responsibility at Friday’s meeting of the five elected RTC commissioners,” Fuqua said.

The meeting begins at 9:00 a.m. PST at the RTC Administrative Building, 1105 Terminal Way, first floor Reno 89502. Masks are apparently required. It will also be streamed live at RTCWashoe.com.

“Those who are able should try to speak in person, as online statements are not read at meetings,” Fuqua said. “Anyone without an underlying condition who is vaccinated, boosted and double-masked should consider attending.”

HELP AN AILING DRIVER: Longtime union member and transit operator Michael Lansborough is away from work and facing major surgery to save his life. He and his 10 year-old son, Logan, helped man union picket lines during the Hat Trick Strikes. Logan did it from his wheelchair, as he has no lower legs due to a genetic affliction. (Photos on the front page of NevadaLabor.com/)

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family. Please consider donation via https://gofund.me/7eae2ed0 or at the front page of NevadaLabor.com/ Checks or money orders, payable to Michael Lansborough, may be sent to his attention at Teamsters Local 533, 1190 Selmi Drive, Suite 100, Reno NV 89512. (Thank you.)

Chartered in 1934, Teamsters Local 533 represents about 2,200 workers in various trades throughout northern Nevada and eastern California.

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RTC Washoe Contact Information — Utilize frequently

The Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County is comprised of Sparks Mayor Ed Lawson (R), Washoe County Commissioners Vaughn Hartung (R) and Bob Lucey (R); Reno City Councilmember Neoma Jardon, (R), board chair. RTC board e-mail <rtcpubliccomments@rtcwashoe.com>, bthomas@rtcwashoe.com (RTC Executive Director Bill Thomas),

HIGHLIGHT, COPY AND PASTE
schieveh@reno.gov (Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve-NP),
vhartung@washoecounty.us (Washoe County Commissioner Vaughn Hartung-R),
jardonn@reno.gov (Reno Councilmember/RTC Chair Neoma Jardon-R),
elawson@cityofsparks.us (Sparks Mayor Ed Lawson-R),
blucey@washoecounty.us (County Commissioner Bob Lucey-R),
bthomas@rtcwashoe.com (RTC Executive Director Bill Thomas),
rtcpubliccomments@rtcwashoe.com (RTC board e-mail),

Mayor Schieve replaced Reno City Councilmember Oscar Delgado (D) in June 2022.

 

CWA 9413/AFL-CIO

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