October 2020 Membership Meeting

October Membership Meeting Notice

Brothers & Sisters:

As we let you know in our last notice, due to CDC guidelines and State of RI directives on public gatherings during the current pandemic, Teamsters Local 251 Executive Board voted on separate occasions to cancel the April, May, June, July and August monthly membership meetings. And we conducted the September monthly meeting virtually. Such RI state directives prohibit in person meetings larger than 15 people. When larger gathers are allowed, we will explore outdoor meetings. But for October, we will be conducting a membership meeting virtually instead.

October Membership Meeting
Sunday, October 25, 2020 starting at 10:00 AM
Text Meeting251 to 313131 to Register
Please Respond to the Question(s) Asked

You must register ahead to access this meeting, to verify your standing in the union. To do so, please text Meeting251 to 313131 or call 401-434-0454 x222 during normal business hours. Cut off for registration is Friday October 23 at 4:30pm. We will provide login or call in information by text alert on the morning of the meeting to those who register. There is a limit on number of attendees so attendance is on a first come basis.
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September 2020 Membership Meeting Update

September Membership Meeting Notice

Brothers & Sisters:

As we let you know in our last notice, due to CDC guidelines and State of RI directives on public gatherings during the current pandemic, Teamsters Local 251 Executive Board voted on separate occasions to cancel the April, May, June, July and August monthly membership meetings. Such state directives have been extended through September 28, 2020, prohibiting in person meetings larger than 15 people. When larger gathers are allowed, we will explore outdoor meetings. But for September, we will be conducting a membership meeting virtually instead.

September Membership Meeting
Sunday, September 27, 2020 starting at 10:00 AM
Text Meeting251 to 313131 to Register
Please Respond to the Question(s) Asked

You must register ahead to access this meeting, to verify your standing in the union. To do so, please text Meeting251 to 313131 or call 401-434-0454 x222 during normal business hours. Cut off for registration is Friday September 25 at 4:30pm. We will provide login or call in information by text alert on the morning of the meeting to those who register. There is a limit on number of attendees so attendance is on a first come basis.

Notice of Delegate Election Plan

NOTICE OF LOCAL UNION ELECTION PLAN SUBMISSION FORM
TO ALL MEMBERS OF
TEAMSTERS LOCAL UNION NO. 251
The proposed Local Union Election Plan to nominate and elect delegates to the IBT
Convention to be held in Las Vegas, Nevada, in June of 2021 was submitted to the
Election Supervisor on September 2, 2020.
The Election Plan is available for review on-line under the “Delegate Elections” tab at
http://www.ibtvote.org. The complete Election Plan, including attachments, is available for
inspection at the Local Union office at:

121 Brightridge Avenue
East Providence, RI 02914

by any member of the Local Union, any candidate for International office, and by the
International Union or any subordinate body. Upon request, each of the foregoing has
the right to obtain a copy of the Plan from the Local Union at no cost. Inspection may
be made during the usual hours of the Local Union office, which are:

Monday – Friday 8 am – 4:30 pm

Any interested Union member or body has the right to submit written comments to the
Election Supervisor, with a copy to the Local Union, concerning the Local Union Plan
within fifteen (15) days of the submission of the plan to the Election Supervisor.
Written comments should be addressed to:

Office of the Election Supervisor for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters
1990 M Street, NW, Suite 650
Washington, D.C. 20036
844-428-8683 Toll Free
ElectionSupervisor@IBTvote.org
http://www.ibtvote.org

Membership Meetings Update

Due to CDC guidelines and State of RI directives on public gatherings during the current pandemic, Teamsters Local 251 Executive Board voted on separate occasions to cancel the April, May, June, July and August monthly membership meetings. Future membership meetings will be evaluated based on public health issues and directives. We are exploring the possibility of outdoor membership meetings in the Hall parking lot, if the restrictions allow. Virtual meetings may be a distinct possibility.
Local 251 Business Agents and Representatives recorded virtual presentations of their reports for April and May. If you’re not already receiving text alerts, members are encouraged to text IBT251Alert to 313131 to receive regular updates from the Local Union. By opting in to text alerts, all message & data rates may apply. You may stop alerts at any time.
Contract proposal and ratification meetings have been conducted to the extent allowed by the restrictions in place, but mostly in a virtual setting. Details for video/teleconference meetings have been and will be provided by the assigned Business Agent or the Local Union directly. Contract votes will be conducted to the extent allowed by the restrictions in place, but have mostly been conducted online and by telephone through a third party vendor that specializes in elections & voting.
While we’ve been pushing Employers to provide necessary PPE for members, the Local has ordered cloth face masks and bandanas with Local 251 logos for members working on the front lines of this public health crisis. Business Agents have been distributing these face coverings as they become available. The Local 251 Charity Fund has cloth masks available for sale as well. All proceeds benefit the Charity Fund, a 501c3 non-profit charity. Click here for the Charity Fund website.
The Local Union has been working on having necessary supplies and cleaning procedures in place to be able to utilize the Union offices and Hall in accordance with all directives and guidelines. We will continue to monitor these guidelines and implement best practices for the safety of all.
Please be safe in these challenging times and the Local Union will provide further updates.

Teamster Contract Overwhelmingly Ratified at STA/Ocean State Transit

Approximately 215 school bus drivers, monitors and aides voted overwhelmingly over the weekend to ratify their first contract with STA/Ocean State Transit and become members of Teamsters Local 251.

The five-year deal calls for significant increases in pay, new dental and vision benefits, a retirement plan with company contributions, multiple bonuses, just-cause job protections, seniority rights and a grievance and arbitration procedure.

“None of the wages, benefits or working conditions were guaranteed or consistent with area standards in Rhode Island before the workers organized with the Teamsters,” said Nick Williams, Local 251 Business Agent. “In fact, we were able to regain benefits for paid days off which had been previously taken away by the employer.”

“We believe this new contract recognizes the commitment these workers have for safely transporting our children every day,” said Matt Taibi, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 251. “These dedicated school bus workers sought Teamster representation eighteen months ago and saw it through to a Teamster contract. In these challenging times being a Teamster has more value than ever. We appreciate the community support. We would like to thank them as well as the Teamsters’ Passenger Transportation Division and Strategic Research and Campaigns Departments for their assistance in reaching this successful conclusion for our new members.”

“I’m pretty sure everyone breathed a sigh of relief after this vote,” said Charlene Gomes, a long-time driver at the location. “With all the uncertainty out there nowadays, we have everything guaranteed in a Teamster contract for the next five years.”

Student Transportation of America (STA) is the second largest school transportation company in the country. Teamsters Local 251 represents over 6,300 workers in a wide variety of industries throughout Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts.

Take Action Today To Fight for All Essential Workers

Teamsters Local 251 has joined 75 unions and organizations nationwide to fight for an Essential Workers Bill of Rights, including hazard pay and workplace safety protections.

Right now, millions of essential workers are out on the frontlines of the COVID-19 crisis saving lives.

But instead of giving us what we need, essential workers are being placed in high-risk conditions without hazard pay, appropriate equipment, safety standards, or job protections. Nonunion workers have it worst of all.

Very soon, Congress will introduce the next economic recovery bill. They have a HUGE opportunity to protect essential workers but we need to be as loud as we can.

Join Local 251 members and over 75 local and national organizations by taking action today.

Sign the Petition for an Essential Worker Bill of Rights

Record a Video with this easy tool encouraging your members of Congress support an Essential Worker Bill of Rights.

One union! One goal! Let’s stand together today to win respect for all essential workers.

April Membership Meeting Cancelled

Due to CDC guidelines and State of RI directives on public gatherings during the current pandemic, Teamsters Local 251 Executive Board voted to cancel the April monthly membership meeting. Future membership meetings will be evaluated based on public health issues and directives.

Local 251 Business Agents and Representatives will be recording a virtual presentation of their reports. Members are encouraged to text IBT251Alert to 313131 to receive access information for this recorded presentation.*

(*By opting in to text alerts, all message & data rates may apply. You may stop alerts at any time by texting STOP.)

Contract proposal and ratification meetings will be conducted virtually while we cannot have meetings of over 5 people. Details for teleconference/webcast meetings will be provided by the assigned Business Agent or the Local Union directly. Contract votes will be conducted online and by telephone through a third party vendor that specializes in elections & voting.

While we’ve been pushing Employers to provide necessary PPE for employees, the Local has ordered some additional PPE with Local 251 logos, for members working on the frontlines of this public health crisis. Business Agents will be figuring out a plan to distribute these supplies when they are available.

Additional COVID-19 Resources

For employees of certain employers:
Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employee Paid Leave

State Resources
RI Dept of Health Guidance on COVID-19
Rhode Island COVID-19 Response Data
MA Resources on COVID-19

IBT Resources
IBT COVID-19 Outbreak Resources
Teamsters Safety & Health Coronavirus Factsheets
Workers Who Are at Increased Risk
COVID-19 Symptoms
COVID-19 Prevention Tips

Local Office Update

Due to public health concerns and to balance staff safety with member access to the Local, we’ve instituted the following procedures:

Please call or email the Local staff member most appropriate to address your concerns. We will try to address concerns in this manner as best as possible to avoid being in close proximity with one another.

All in person access is by appointment only. Please call 401-434-0454 to schedule an appointment during regular business hours. Please be patient as the appropriate staff member may not be in the office on a regular

Click Here for More Information

Local 251 Health Services has a similar procedure during this current state of emergency. Call 401-467-3323 to address any concerns.

We thank you for your consideration during these challenging times. We will update as needed.

Coronavirus Update

Attention Teamsters Local 251 Members:

We are keeping up with updates on the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) and seek to comply to guidance by the Centers for Disease Control and RI Department of Health. Please stay informed and take necessary safety precautions during this time.

The March 15 Construction Division contract proposal meeting has been postponed until further notice.
The March 29 General Membership Meeting has been cancelled. All future Membership Meetings are still scheduled as of now, but we will assess the situation for each meeting as they approach as needed.

For members on Local 251 Health Services medical plan, member co-pays for COVID-19 tests have been waived.
As a reminder, Doctor On Demand telemedicine services are part of the medical benefits already. Please Click Here for Dr On Demand if you cannot see your primary care physician in a timely manner.

Click Here for More Information

Let’s all please be safe for our families and the community. We will update members on these matters as well as normal union matters by blast text alerts and web/social media platforms. Please text IBT251alert to 313131 for text alerts.*

*By opting in to text alerts, all message & data rates may apply. You may stop alerts at any time by texting STOP.