Meeting Minutes 12 Minute

April Meeting – 4/21/24

Dairy Workers Association

April 20, 2024

No Comments

Finances

• Current balance
  • [Financial details available to members]
• Business Premier Checking
  • [Financial details available to members]
• 6 Month CD
  • [Financial details available to members]
    • Interest Rate 4.25% maturing on 7/31/24.
    • Interest earned since opening [Financial details available to members].
• Last Deposit 3/4/24 of [Financial details available to members]

Current Member Count – 301

Current Grievances

• In Florence was terminated for violating the following section of the contract.
  • Article VIII
    • Discharge
      • Section B

Marco, the manager in Florence, has recently complained to multiple drivers that the Union was the reason why this member was not back to work. The worker in question was terminated due to violating a portion of the contract where there were no levels of progressive discipline. As a result of Marco’s inability to understand the legalities of a CBA the Union has taken on the case. (To be discussed more at the meeting)

Current Events

• All IRS and LM3 filings have been completed and payments submitted.
• The Union gained a major victory in arbitration.
  • Case No. 23-0236
    • This is the FIRST EVER arbitration win in the Union’s history since 1953.
  • As a result of the victory Helder Neto, a yard jockey and forklift operator, won eight hours of overtime. Also, we now set the precedence of overtime by seniority for the warehouse. That means if you want weekend overtime as a warehouse worker there is just cause to file a grievance and to argue the matter.
  • A copy of the full ruling can be emailed to any member upon request.
  • In an act of juvenile behavior, Cream-O-Land has torn down all our posts in Jersey City regarding this decision. It is posted on the Union Board in two locations at the Jersey City location. It should be on the website by the weekend as well.
• The results from the last arbitration hearing should be ready at the end of May. As per the contract the arbitrator has 60 days to finalize and post their decision after the hearing or after the closing statement. This is typically done in person at the arbitration, but Cream-O-Land’s attorney always elects to type what is called a brief at a later date to elongate the proceedings and to charge Cream-O-Land more money. All it does is elongate the time of the decision. It almost never changes the arbitrator’s decision that they have concluded by the end of the hearing.
  • 43 members did not get the raise due in September.
• March’s Perfect Attendance (Dues Return) winners have been posted on the Union website. COL is still not matching the $125 for the warehouse workers.
• The Union constitutional bylaws have been revised and will be looked over and discussed at today’s meeting. We would like to have a final draft submitted for a vote at the next meeting in May.
• There will be a $50 raffle this week for new Zoom sign-ons and $75 for in person. This is for new attendees only. Representatives will not be included. This will be for every meeting going forward and the amount may be increased.
• The Union recently supplied breakfast in Jersey City (4/19/24) which included breakfast pastries, snack bars, donuts, and some fruits.
  • Total cost [Financial details available to members]
• Goodwill Benefit Fund to be discussed and voted on today.
• Driver’s License Renewal Reimbursement Program which has already started will be voted on today.
  • 3 drivers in Jersey City in total so far.

Meeting Conclusion

Hopefully the website and the Zoom meeting went well. Updates will be posted weekly concerning all pertinent matters. Please feel free to use the website to your advantage and keep the Union informed. Bronsen monitors the site daily and can assist anyone having trouble.

Questions and Answers

• What are the open routes currently in Florence?
• Discuss recent arbitration case involving September raises.