Local 812 shop stewards and key members gathered in late August for a three-day educational seminar. The event provided a forum for exchanging ideas and experiences, discussing best practices and learning more about the industry, union movement and Local 812’s health and pension benefits.
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Guest speakers and Local 812 officers reflected on the importance of the Clare Rose strike and emphasized early preparations for our next big challenge – 2021 Pepsi and Coke contract 
negotiations.
Opening the conference, Local 812 President Joe Vitta explained, “The union is committed to providing stewards and key members with the best possible information and tools to represent members.”
Whether relatively new, or seasoned veterans, participants came away with useful information that will help them more effectively represent members at the shop level.
Participants heard from numerous Teamster labor leaders who pledged their support and solidarity with Local 812. Greg Nowak, Director and Secretary-Treasurer of the IBT Soft Drink and Brewery Conference, thanked Local 812 for always being there for any Conference fight. He told stewards that they could count on the conference.
IBT International Vice President George Miranda said, “Local 812 is the Local that always has our backs. They show us how to win.”
Leaders of three sister Teamster beverage Locals in New Jersey, Philadelphia and upstate New York also addressed the conference. IBT Local 125 President Tony Petillo spoke about the power of a united front between Locals 125, 830 and 812 who collectively represent 10,000 Liberty Coke members.
Teamsters Local 830 President Dan Grace detailed the devastating impact that the Philadelphia soda tax has had on Teamster jobs. Both Local 812 Recording Secretary Angel Martinez and 812 Business Agent Mark Pooler spoke about the importance of building public support and creating allies in the community
An intensive interactive session was held on the arbitration process. Stewards were given real life scenarios and discussed how they would handle it. Local 812 Attorney Jim Green and Arbitrator Jay Nadelbach stressed that stewards must submit a written response to any write up. Without a response, the member has no defense. The basics of listening, taking good notes, accuracy and timeliness were also discussed.
In addition to reporting on the union’s solid finances, Local 812 Secretary-Treasurer John Visconti spoke about Local 812’s Defense Fund, which will strengthen the union’s hand in 2021 negotiations.
In a presentation on the Local 812 pension fund, Pres. Vitta showed that the fund is on schedule to “get to the green zone.” However, he cautioned that employers do not want to participate in defined benefit retirement plans and that we must be prepared to fight for our pensions.
Local 812 Vice President Surdi spoke about the Local 812 Health Benefit plan and a new diabetes management program that went into effect in June. Trustee and Business Agent Jeff Knatz urged members to always follow any restrictions placed on them under Workers’ Comp and to always complete pre-trips.
Local 812 officers and staff are continuously seeking ways to strengthen the union. Our power rests on a well-informed and effective shop union network.
Check back to read more stories on the Steward and Key Member Seminar.
Full list of guest speakers: Greg Nowak, Director and Secretary-Treasurer of the IBT Soft Drink and Brewery Conference; Steve Richmond, Secretary-Treasurer, IBT Local 1149; Jack Cipriani, IBT Vice President (retired); David Smith, IBT Auditor; Bernadette Kelly IBT Representative and IBT Local 210 Recording Secretary; George Miranda IBT Vice President, IBT Local 210 Secretary-Treasurer and Joint Council 16 President; Demos Demopoulos, IBT Local 553 Principal Officer and Joint Council 16 Secretary-Treasurer; Dan Grace IBT Local 830 Secretary-Treasurer; and Tony Petillo, President, IBT Local 125.
