Secretary-Treasurer’s  Report
By Sam J. Rosas

 

Its well known throughout our Joint Council, and sister Joint Council 7 (as International Vice President Chuck Mack stated at our Christmas Dinner) that Local 439 is regarded as one of the most aggressive, active, and progressive Local Unions. This is something that every member should be proud of.  I attribute this to a number of reasons for our success. To mention just a few, first, we (our Members, Agents, Executive Board, and Staff) work together as a team.  Also, our membership understands that solidarity is a key element to our success, as does the Leadership.  It is transparent to our members that our Business Agents have a true and sincere desire to represent their members…they have our backs, and we have theirs. 

It is inspiring to me when we celebrate and take part in our annual activities when I see sometimes hundreds of our members from different crafts come together and talk socially about their daily lives, families, and other interest in and outside of the workplace.  It re-affirms to me that the quality of our Local rests with our membership. We don’t look alike, and we don’t always think alike, but clearly, we are all in this together.  Without a contract, we would work at the whim of the bosses.  Without our Union Leaders, we would have little direction.  Without our membership, the Union would be no more.  Are things perfect?  NO.  But together we can make it better through our hard work and solidarity. 

An active and militant membership is and will be an essential key to our success in the future—make no mistake about it; companies that we work for know and understand this as well. It is vitally important to understand that the fruits of our labor will be challenged in the future. 

Currently, we are in negotiations with four major companies that we represent, Leprino Foods, Cemex, Delta Health Systems and Stockton Scavenger, (Waste Management).  In all of these negotiations, Health Care has been the number one issue for both sides.  This will not change anytime soon.  In 2007 we have similar challenges ahead; we have more than 18 contracts up for negotiations, including major contracts in Warehouse, Construction, University of Pacific , Coca-Cola, City of Tracy , and some of our single employer contracts.  We have to anticipate Health Care being the single most important issue, but without doubt, pension and wages will also be in the cards as well.  Be assured that we will strive to do our best to negotiate contracts that we can live with and that will secure a better standard of living. 

We need our members to do their part as well, continue to be active, support YOUR UNION, wherever you go, and in what you say, volunteer when asked, and be supportive of your co-workers.  On a personal note, I would like to wish our members a prosperous, healthy, and successful year in 2007.