July 19, 2018 Myrtle Beach S.C.

Before the Teamsters/UPS Freight Eastern Region Grievance and Arbitration Panel

Teamsters Local 633 scored a big Arbitration victory for our member Robert Ventullo who was wrongfully terminated by UPS Freight.

“UPS is a giant corporation who thought they could trample all over my due process contractual rights and unjustly fire me. However, during the course of the Arbitration hearing, Kevin (Foley) turned the balance of justice towards our favor, making truth and justice apply equally and fairly resulting in the win. I believe the professional representation was excellent.  The outcome and decision were swift,” said Robert Ventullo.

Business Agent Kevin Foley stated, “The case itself involved UPS wrongly terminating Brother Ventullo on March 1, 2018 for alleged dishonesty. In my view and experience, it was a classic case of making a mountain out of a mole hill and constructing a discharge case which triggered a grievance protesting this company action. You basically had a city driver making a routine pick up and deciding to move out of the way for another trucker at the same stop. In that process he made a mundane recording mistake for which the company fired him and removed him from the payroll. The case entailed 3 ½ hours of presentation and testimony, which resulted in the panel being deadlocked. The Arbitrator sustained the Union’s case and awarded full back pay and benefits to the grievant from March 1, 2018 through July 19, 2018. I would like to thank my Shop Steward Roger Martineau who was a key Union witness as well as Robert Ventullo who struggled through, stuck to his convictions, and allowed us to try this case and prevail. Justice delayed is not justice denied.”

Teamsters Local 633 will fight to correct the injustice of corporate attacks on workers’ rights.  When the Company was trying to wage an attack against his rights under the contract, Business Agent Kevin Foley and the Teamsters Union Local 633 stood up for Brother Ventullo.

Secretary/Treasurer Jeffrey Padellaro stated, “Local 633 will always step up and protect the rights of our members. This was a great victory and illustrates the true meaning of UNION STRENGTH and PRIDE.” 

 Local 633 Business Agent Rick Laughton met with members of the Raymond Police Department and their negotiating team in preparation for the Deliberative Session in the Town of Raymond. The Negotiating Committee was able to negotiate a tentative agreement with the Town’s representatives and approved by our members. The last step in the process is ratifying the Collective Bargaining Agreement is securing the votes from the taxpayers. The effort and strategy put forth by B.A. Rick Laughton paid off as their contract was approved by the voters. Secretary/Treasurer Jeff Padellaro stated, “It was a team effort, and Rick did a great job keeping the members informed, as well as coordinating community outreach.”

TEAMSTER PROFILES

Frank Logan

Correctional Officer – Union Steward

Principal Officer Jeffrey Padellaro created this section to profile our members in more depth so that our brothers and sisters have a better appreciation for members working in careers with which they may not be familiar.

Frank Logan is currently assigned to the Concord Prison for Men’s Secure Psychiatric Unit (SPU). A 49-year-old Army Veteran, Frank has worked for the Department of Correction since 1999. He recalled the hiring process as slow and that new Correctional Officers were assigned to one of three locations prior to attending the academy. Frank described a situation where the new officers would be introduced to the new environment with little training. The assignments for the Correctional Officers in Training (COT) included a post in the Chapel, a post in the old weight room located near Box 1, and the visiting room.

“The visiting room was a difficult assignment for a COT as the inmates had the ability to meet with visitors and potentially introduce contraband,” Frank said. In addition, to bring attention to the status of the COT, they were required to wear a cover with the word “TRAINEE” emblazoned on it.

Frank described attending the Academy located in the Berlin facility administrative house. Three COTs were housed at the building for the duration of his training. The Admin building was described as an old farmhouse.

Frank recalls the introduction of cameras within the facility and described the apprehension felt by many of the experienced officers. Frank believes the stationary and hand-held cameras have generally been a good addition to the security infrastructure of the facility. Other improvements over the years have included the upgrading of radios and the introduction of Tasers within the department. Frank stated he would like the Tasers distributed to any officer who requests them.

Over the years, Frank has worked at every post within the facility except the Main Control Post. During his career he has been assaulted seven times, one of which was extremely serious, resulting in time off from work and the criminal prosecution of the inmate. The inmate was sentenced to additional time for the assault.

Frank stated that being an officer is a difficult job but believes it is important to remain positive. He said that Correctional Officers “work with your head on a swivel and to always look out for your brother and sister officer.”  Frank expressed sincere concern over the number of hours officers are forced to work as a result of the critically low staffing numbers. Frank says that, unfortunately, some officers develop serious health issues, have difficulty maintaining healthy personal relationships at home and experience serious child care issues as a result of officers being forced to work two to four forced overtime shifts a week. In addition, because the staffing is always at the minimum, the officers available to respond to inmates acting out is severely limited.

When asked about his interaction with the Union, Frank responded that he had tried to get involved when previous Unions represented the group, but felt it was a closed system. Frank stated he is extremely satisfied with the Teamsters’ approach to servicing the members. He cited the Tours of Teamster Union officials on a regular basis and the availability of the Business Agents, Field Representative and legal counsel by phone and email between face- to- face meetings. He also appreciated Local 633 sending two of the stewards to a 3-day critical incident/internal affairs seminar and hopes to attend additional training provided by the Local.

When asked about his participation at the Labor Management Committee (LMC), Frank said, “It is an excellent forum to bring up issues directly to the Commissioner without it being filtered by the other members of the Administration.” Frank stated that he hoped the Governor and the other decision makers in the legislature would visit the facility and meet the men and women who, through their professionalism and commitment, make it work under difficult conditions. They make it work with staffing shortages that are unbelievably taxing on the officers. Frank said, “It is a pleasure to work beside the many men and women who do such a great job and I know have my back.”

Frank Logan is a Teamster Steward, LMC member, and he is on the Negotiating Committee.

On behalf of the Executive Board, I wish to extend my thanks and appreciation for all the time and effort Frank dedicates for all of our members employed by the Department of Correction. JP

Editor’s Note: Frank, we agree, the Governor and company should tour the facility, and, when their tour is complete, they should be notified that their tour has been unexpectedly extended another 8 hours.

Mayoral Candidate Joyce Craig was introduced to the membership Sunday, November 5, 2017, prior to the monthly membership meeting being called to order. The Teamsters represent several bargaining units employed by the City and the School District. Principal Officer Jeff Padellaro stated that he was impressed with Ms. Craig’s positive and enthusiastic outlook for the City of Manchester. Jeff Padellaro stated, “It is time for the executive of this fine city to address the issues that resulted in other communities pulling out of the Manchester School District. Mayor-elect Craig is uniquely qualified to address that issue and to take action in support of the schools to entice the surrounding communities to come back to the Manchester School District.” Padellaro continued, “It will be a pleasant change to have a mayor that appreciates not only the taxpayers, but also the men and women who work for the City to make it all work, many of whom are also taxpayers and residents.”

Candidate Craig was well- received by the Teamster members in attendance at the monthly meeting. 

Congratulations, Mayor-elect Craig!

“Local 633 had a strong showing at the Annual 2017 Labor Day Breakfast held at the Saint George Orthodox Cathedral in Manchester,” according to Jeff Padellaro. Senator Maggie Hassan, pictured above, greeted old friends at the Breakfast. Pictured with Senator Hassan are Principal Officer Jeff Padellaro; Business Agent Rick Laughton; Business Agent Kevin Foley; Field Representatives Keith Judge and Roger Travers; and Trustees Scott Gove and James Petrillo. 

The Breakfast was attended by labor leaders along with politicians representing local and state government. Jeff Padellaro commented that without union representation the working class can not keep pace with the rising cost of living. Without representation, we would have working men and women of this country facing the accountants and lawyers representing corporate interests, with the worker standing alone, without the protection of the Union to act as a shield against arbitrary and capricious actions of the corporation.