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PRESIDENT'S PAGE
2/07/08
Working hard for the members of this Local is something that I feel is both an
honor and a privilege. Our goal is to serve our members with the best
representation possible, and to help make this Union stronger. We value our
member’s voices and their concerns.
In the December
membership meeting, the majority of the members voted for the approval to sell
or lease our current building, and to commence construction of a new Teamsters
Local 8 Hall with a cost not to exceed $1.5 million. This is a very exciting
time for Local 8. We will finally have a building that can completely meet this
Union’s needs. We will no longer have to rent costly space for membership
meetings, and it will allow us to grow in other areas that will benefit our
members. Plans are being submitted to the Centre County Planning Commission in
February to start the approval phase of this project. If all of the approvals
and permits go forward as planned, we could break ground for construction in May
or June. We will keep the members informed as the project moves along.
Recently in this Local we
had a brother who won his job back in the arbitration phase. The member is very
happy and thankful for the support of the members. He is also very grateful that
he had a means to fight the unjust termination.
Penn State has recently
changed their FMLA forms. This change was the result of input from the Union
that members should be given their rights under the law. Penn State has their
new forms online at
www.ohr.psu.edu.
This year there will be a
Teamsters Local 8 Day at the Spikes. Members will be able to get discounted
tickets to attend a baseball game and be recognized for being a member of Local
8. The date of the game is July 27th. This is a great way for Local 8
members to get out with their families and enjoy the park together. Tickets and
information about the game will be available soon.
This year the middle
class and labor has a chance to make a difference in America with the
Presidential Election in November. Make sure that you are registered to vote and
that you get out and vote. That one vote will make a difference. Let’s make a
difference together. As of yet, the IBT has not endorsed a candidate. We will
make this information available on the website as soon as they do.
As we head into the last
year of our term we are looking forward to continuing to work hard for the
membership. Thanks for the support that each member has given to this Union.
Fraternally Yours,
Jonathan Light
President and Business Agent
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