Solid Waste, Recycling and Related Industries Division Resolution

WHEREAS, the sanitation industry is one of the most difficult and dangerous jobs in this Union; and

WHEREAS, widespread consolidation has resulted in the formation of increasingly larger multi-national corporations with billions of dollars in annual sales; and

WHEREAS, Local Unions are increasingly bargaining with multi-national and regional employers in the sanitation industry; and

WHEREAS, these multi-national and regional employers in the sanitation industry are progressively utilizing single, coordinated labor relations strategies when bargaining with Teamster Local Unions and when combating organizing drives; and

WHEREAS, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters created a stand-alone Division recognizing the potential growth and representational opportunities for the rank and file members who work in the sanitation industry; and

WHEREAS, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters created a stand-alone Division to counter the growing power and coordinated strategies of large multi- national corporations in the sanitation industry; and

WHEREAS, that Division is currently known as the Solid Waste and Recycling Division, under the direct leadership of International Western Region Vice President Ron Herrera from Local 396; and

WHEREAS, the Solid Waste and Recycling Division has the undeniable ability to expand the numbers of members represented in this Division through grass-roots organizing; and

WHEREAS, the Solid Waste Division is wholly committed to a program to organize the unorganized in record numbers; and

WHEREAS, the key to success in achieving this goal is to mount coordinated and strategic campaigns that are designed to win first contracts against some of the most anti-union multi-national employers in the country.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED at this 29th International Convention that the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, through the coordination of the Solid Waste and Recycling Division, shall be contacted and included from start to finish on any organizing campaign that involves a multi-national or regional employer with the potential to undermine the International Union or any affiliated local union; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Solid Waste Division shall, at the direction of the General President and in concurrence with the General Executive Board, have the authority to direct the campaign, including determining the viability, the potential risks to affiliate locals and up to and including determining final jurisdiction if necessary; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that prior to submitting any final renewal agreement or first contract to the membership for a ratification vote, it must be submitted and approved by the Director of the Solid Waste, Recycling and Related Industries Division in order to protect area standards; and

FINALLY, BE IT RESOLVED that this resolution is limited to campaigns deemed to be with multi-national or regional employers who present great challenges and potential harm pending the outcome.