Local 251 members are stepping up and getting involved and your actions are paying off. We’re winning strong contracts, organizing the unorganized and building a stronger political voice for working people. Our union’s financial reforms are paying off too.

When members voted for new leadership and a new direction in our local, the officers who lost the election cashed out over $129,000 in vacation pay and benefits. Our union treasury took a big hit as a result, but we took action to make sure that members didn’t take a hit too.

Instead, Local 251 officers and agents cut our own salaries by a combined $300,000 per year. The old officers bought a fleet of union vehicles purchased with your dues money. We’re selling off those cars and have saved Local 251 over $71,000 in auto and insurance expenses.

The dues money we’re saving is being put to work for the members every day. During contract negotiations at Rhode Island Hospital, members came off the job to strengthen our voice at the negotiating table and to organize contract campaign actions. We hired an Organizer and Legislative Director.

We are winning organizing drives and workers are winning a stronger voice on the job at UPS, McLaughlin & Moran, Petro, Rhode Island Lottery and Daniele Foods.Even with a bigger staff, the Local saved over $245,000 in salary and benefit costs.The union saved over $130,000 in assets last year alone. Most importantly, Local 251 members are mobilizing and winning a stronger voice on the job. United, we win!

Matt Taibi
Local 251 Secretary-Treasurer