Teamsters Local 8

A Message from President, Jonathan Light

   Happy New Year brothers and sisters! May this year be a great blessing for all Local 8 members and their families.

   I would like to thank you for electing us for a third term. It is a great honor for us that will not be taken for granite. We will continue to make this Union stronger with our brothers and sisters.

   Over the last six years we have been faced with many issues, both new and old. Over the next three years we will continue to address them – together as one Union.

   We need to continue to stay together, with the constant attack against public sector unions we need to keep our job security. With your help, we can fight back and protect the working middle class.

   Our recent officer election was protested by the opposing M.A.D. slate. The M.A.D. slate protested claiming the election process was unfair. Once we were notified of the protest, an independent attorney was hired to represent the Union and to validate the complaints made by the MAD slate. The attorney did a detailed investigation and found no merit to the protest brought against Local 8 by the M.A.D. slate. Local 8 bylaws were followed and he recommended that the Union fight the improper objections and uphold the sanctity of the election process. Upon the attorneys recommendation the Union prepared to defend the integrity of the election process. There was a hearing on December 19, 2011 at the Joint Counsel 40 office in Mars, PA. At this hearing the M.A.D. slate began presenting their case but decided to remove all charges and stop the hearing once they realized that nothing was done unfairly and that the election process was completely done correctly.

   In 2012 we will be scheduling a steward and alternate-steward training and forklift training/high reach training. Also remember the training commitment in this new contract has been extended to all members. It will provide you with money toward your educational costs to further your career.
   Always remember to update your personal data sheet with changes and provide great detail regarding your work knowledge and work history. We are available to help you update your personal data sheet.

   In 2012 we would like to increase membership meeting attendance and get more members involved with this Union. Membership meetings are the 2nd Wednesday of every month at 5:15 p.m. at Teamsters Local Union 8, 2225 High Tech Road, State College, PA. We are only as strong as the membership. You can help by reaching out and welcoming new members.

   Local 8 officers are a phone call away. We are always there to help. We work for the members because members come first!

   Happy New Year, I wish you the best for 2012.