Teamsters Forums: Local 749 Merger - Teamsters Forums

justsaynoto120, on December 17 2009 - 04:13 PM, said:

PASS THE WORD TO THE SERVICE CENTER IN SIOUX FALLS SD TO VOTE NOOOOOOO

We're getting the word out at the call center but there are people here who think it's just fine to go with a big local. I guess they convinced the executive board that 120 can make things better. 120 is a big local but from what I hear they have some of the worse contracts anywhere. I wonder what Ron Larson thinks about all this? Does anyone know where Ron is? Last I heard he still lives here.

Heard dues are going up after the merger with 120 as much as $10 a month. Why does 120 charge more than every other local?

Gordy, on January 07 2010 - 10:29 AM, said:

BEFORE YOU VOTE, YOU NEED TO READ THIS

SO, the meeting is set and we're all wondering why you fools in South Dakota would ever think about merging with local 120. We are members local 120 and have a combined total of 238 years as local 120 members. We have watched as the Slawsons have pushed there weight around within our own rank and file with little to no resistance. Recently, they raised our dues with a bogus vote, which they handled. Not only did they personally drive the ballots to and from the work place, they tallied the votes themselves. A complaint has been filed against the local, but you know how slow the government works.

Local 120 Q & A:
Q. Why do they want to merge with your local?
A. Your treasurery. They need your hard earned $$ to support their six figure sallies, car allowances, multiple pensions and bar tabs!

Q. What's in it for your principal officer?
A. A TON! Little things like a $275 a week car allowance not including a free gas card. A raise, multiple pensions, a promise of being the South Dakota director, which includes some form of stipend (More money). All the exotic "conferences" he and his wife want to attend and on top of that, life time medical benefits for he AND his wife.

Q. Will they let you review the merger document?
A. You should ask, but probably not unless it’s under strict supervision. Ask for a copy to show your lawyer. But they won’t allow that anf will site some bi law or IBT regulation. They always say you're more than welcome to review our books, but in reality, unless you know what to look for, it’s all hidden in leagal mumble jumble. Also, what about the hand shake agreement or the wink, wink, nod, nod? What are they not telling you?

Q. Since the merger's with Iowa and North Dakota, who have they actually organized in those states?
A. Nobody! While we have lost hundreds even thousands of local 120 jobs here in Minnesota, little to no organizing activity has gone on here nor have the organizers been successful there. With no new members through organizing and no new money coming in to replenish the money lost, the only way to replenish the coffers is YOU!

Q. If local 120 is such a great local, why did local 1145 in Minnesota vote no for a merger.
A. Brad sr was in charge of local 1145 when it went into trusteeship, he placed his son Brad jr in charge of handling grievances. They both pulled a salary out of Local 1145 during this time. Hmm sounds like double dipping to me. If they did such a great job, why didn't the membership vote to merge? Why? They saw first hand, up close and personal what kind of self serving guys they truly are. Also, what about the other locals in MN, why don't they merge with local 120? It’s simple, everyone in Minnesota knows what kind of people the Slawsons truly are.

Q. How can the local 120 truck help you in South Dakota?
A. It is a nice truck. When you see it on the road it does look nice. But how is that truck going to help you win a grievance? How is it going to get you a raise? When your insurance premiums go up, how is going to help negotiate a better rate? Is it going to take you to the hospital? The answer is it can’t. It hasn't helped us her in Minnesota except to haul things around for the local and to show up to rallyies and blow it’s horn (sounds like a Slawson) It will help out come early August though It will haul all the Harleys for the local 120 BA’s, officers and staff. Plus all their buddy's Harleys out to the rally. This is a promise. All on your new increased dues money.

Q. What’s in it for the Slawsons?
A. Everything! It's all about them., increased salaries, boasting rights, chest pounding, free Sturgis rally’s and so very much more. They need your money, your hard earned dues, which you pay faithfully each and every month to support their slush fund habits.



You see if you could review their treasury statements since they took over, you would see a steady decline in assets. Sure we needed a new building, but we didn't have to move 15 mile north out of the Twin Cities. But that's right, we moved to Blaine. Is it because Blaine is where Brad Slawson Jr lives and it's the community where his kids go to school? Maybe its because it’s only 5 miles from his house.

They can tell us back here in Minnesota how they have “grown the local through mergers and organizing", but it's only been through mergers and that's it. The International had to come in and organize the bus company for them. But, since it’s all about them, they’ll be sure to talk about that one too.


They will wine and dine you, take you out for a bunch of beers and act like one of the good ol' boys. That’s for sure. They put on a great front, but it's all one big dog and pony show. All the glitz and glam until it comes right down to the bitter end, then it's all about them.

One last thing. You would think that with all us members receiving no raises, paying higher insurance and givebacks that they would reduce their wage and tighten their belts just like everyone else. But in true Slawson form, they choose to raise our dues right after the local 120 election of officers with no reduction of their over inflated salaries. If there is one thing to remember when you vote, think of that for a while, then VOTE NO!

Not only 1145 but local 650 in Iowa - the executive board overruled the principle officer who was wined and dined by the slawsons. They ended up merging with 238 an Iowa local. There are other places to merge besides slawsonville.

I wouldn't do it, on January 24 2010 - 04:09 PM, said: