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Strike! Workers at Johnson Brothers Demand Living Wages and Better Healthcare

In September 2020, 12 workers from Johnson Brothers Distributing, the exclusive supplier of Gallo Wine products in Rhode Island, voted to join Teamsters Local 251 in East Providence.

The workers get paid as little as $15 per hour and may pay up to $20,300 per year out of their pocket to pay for substandard family healthcare coverage.

The company has dragged out negotiations, increased their workload by not supplying helpers on bigger loads, and offered a measly 5 cents more per hour above their normal paltry raises. They have also rejected improvements to healthcare coverage and retirement security.

We believe the company has also committed unfair labor practices.

The workers had no choice except to withhold their labor and go on strike.Show Johnson Brothers that Rhode Islanders stick together and don’t appreciate bigwig outsiders from Minnesota, Florida, and California coming here and treating their minority workforce like second-class citizens.

Picket lines are up 24 hours a day at:
Johnson Brothers of RI
120 Moscrip Ave
North Kingstown RI 02852

A year ago, they were heroes. They deserve better treatment!
Let Johnson Brothers know about your concerns:
651-649-5800 Corporate 401-583-0050 Rhode Island

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May 2021 Membership Meeting

Brothers & Sisters
The May 2021 Monthly Membership meeting will be conducted outside in the Local parking lot, on the scheduled date and time. Face masks and social distancing will be required, even if State and CDC guidelines do not require this. We will provide masks if members and retirees do not have one. This meeting will be rain or shine, so prepare accordingly.

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April 2021 Membership Meeting

April Membership Meeting Notice

Brothers & Sisters:

Due to CDC guidelines and State of RI directives on public gatherings during the current pandemic, Teamsters Local 251 Executive Board voted to hold the April 2021 monthly meeting virtually. Such RI state directives prohibit large indoor meetings. When larger gatherings are allowed, we will explore outdoor meetings. But for April 2021, we will be conducting a membership meeting virtually instead.

All members are encouraged to participate in the membership meeting.

April Membership Meeting
Sunday, April 25, 2021 starting at 10:00 AM
Text Meeting251 to 313131 to Register
Please Respond to the Question(s) Asked

You must register ahead to access these meetings, 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 April 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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March 2021 Membership Meeting

March Membership Meeting Notice

Brothers & Sisters:

Due to CDC guidelines and State of RI directives on public gatherings during the current pandemic, Teamsters Local 251 Executive Board voted to hold the March 2021 monthly meeting virtually. Such RI state directives prohibit large indoor meetings. When larger gatherings are allowed, we will explore outdoor meetings. But for March 2021, we will be conducting a membership meeting virtually instead.

All members are encouraged to participate in the membership meeting.

March Membership Meeting
Sunday,March 28, 2021 starting at 10:00 AM
Text Meeting251 to 313131 to Register
Please Respond to the Question(s) Asked

You must register ahead to access these meetings, 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 March 26 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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Members Blow the Whistle on Harassment at UPS

Local 251 members came together to blow the whistle on harassment at UPS. United action by our union paid off. The very next day, the supervisor who serially harassed members was removed from his position.

For months, members on the preload shift filed grievances against a supervisor who harassed and humiliated employees. 

More than a dozen members filed harassment grievances with no response from management. The final straw came when the supervisor screamed at a hearing-impaired employee and told the shop steward, “I don’t give a crap about his handicap.”

When management continued to postpone grievance meetings, members took action. 

On February 18, shop stewards distributed leaflets and over 400 whistles to drivers and inside employees at shift change. 

“A lot of members hadn’t heard about the issue. Once they did, they wanted to send the message that we have each other’s backs,” said Jack Warren, the lead steward for the drivers.

“We let everyone know what was going on. Drivers were blowing the whistles as they went inside. The leaflets were everywhere,” said Matt Knowlton, the chief steward for the preload. 

“When we came back to work that night, members were blowing the whistles like crazy. That definitely got management’s attention and turned up the heat,” Knowlton said. 

The very next morning, management stopped stonewalling and met with the member and union representatives. The supervisor was demoted and lost his position as the number two boss on the shift. 

“It’s been a rough year. This was a real morale booster,” Knowlton said. 

“The message is clear. If you have a situation, your union has your back.” Warren said. 

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February 2021 Monthly Meeting

February Membership Meeting Notice

Brothers & Sisters:

Due to CDC guidelines and State of RI directives on public gatherings during the current pandemic, Teamsters Local 251 Executive Board voted to hold the February 2021 monthly meeting virtually. Such RI state directives prohibit large indoor meetings. When larger gatherings are allowed, we will explore outdoor meetings. But for February 2021, we will be conducting a membership meeting virtually instead.

All members are encouraged to participate in the membership meeting.

February Membership Meeting
Sunday, February 28, 2021 starting at 10:00 AM
Text Meeting251 to 313131 to Register
Please Respond to the Question(s) Asked

You must register ahead to access these meetings, 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 February 26 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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Local 251 Delegates to the IBT Convention Elected

On January 16, 2021 the following members of Local 251 were nominated as candidates for delegate to 2021 IBT Convention.

Delegates
Matthew Taibi
Paul Santos
Matthew Maini
Antonio Suazo
Brooke Reeves
Decio Goulart
Michael Simone

Alternate Delegates
Steven Fredette
Gary DaSilva
Kelley McNally
Paul Slade
Luz Reyes de la Cruz

The number of nominees did not exceed the number of delegates and alternate delegates to be elected. Therefore the named candidates were declared elected and will represent Local 251 at the 2021 IBT Convention, to be conducted online June 21-25, 2021.

Click here to download the Nomination Meeting Results Posting.

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Carrying on the Work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“What are you doing for others?” This question is the guiding light of the labor and civil rights movements. Teamsters Local 251 strives to carry on Dr. King’s legacy by fighting everyday for the security, respect and dignity all of us deserve, both on the job and in our communities. The labor movement and the fight against racism and all forms of oppression are part of the same struggle. We are all in this together.

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January 2021 Monthly Membership Meeting

January 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 in 2020 to cancel the April, May, June, July and August monthly membership meetings. And we conducted the September, October, November & December 2020 monthly meetings virtually. Such RI state directives prohibit large indoor meetings. When larger gatherings are allowed, we will explore outdoor meetings. But for January 2021, we will be conducting a membership meeting virtually instead.

Immediately following the membership meeting, we will draw Charity Fund scholarship winners.

All members are encouraged to participate in the membership meeting.

January Membership Meeting
Sunday, January 31, 2021 starting at 10:00 AM
Text Meeting251 to 313131 to Register
Please Respond to the Question(s) Asked

You must register ahead to access these meetings, 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 January 29 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.