On December 15th Teamsters Local 162 members at Sysco in Portland overwhelmingly voted in favor of a new six year contract with significant wage and pension increases in each year of the new contract.   The top Teamster health care plan, the same UPS Teamsters are in, was protected for another six years with great cost share protections for the members. A huge victory.

Local 162 mailed the latest edition of our What's UPS to members homes this week.   It is the annual Christmas edition that celebrates what we are thankful for and the success of the new UPS Retirees Subsidy Fund at the Oregon Teamster Employers Trust.

The new UPS facility in Hillsboro, Oregon is up and running.  The building opened as part of a major change of operations.  The Beaverton facility closed and all work and employees was moved to Hillsboro.  A number of package routes were also moved to Hillsboro from the Tualatin and Portland facilities.

Local 162 President Mark Davison and Business Agent Mike Mayo report that on September 27, 2019, Local 162 members working at Univar Solutions overwhelmingly approved a new 4 year contract.  The contract covers drivers working at Univar in Portland and includes record wage and pension increases.

Local 162 Business Agent Don Greene reports that the Local was successful in having a terminated driver from UNFI (formerly Supervalu) reinstated.  Greene had to present the case before a joint conference board, which is a step in the grievance procedure in the Local 162 contract.  UNFI is a supply chain distributor in the grocery industry.

The Teamster Horsemen of JC37 are hosting a fundraiser for Autism on September 7th.  Please see the attached flyer for details.

UPS Package Car Driver and Local 162 member Denise Byers was recently honored with UPS highest honor for 25 years of safe driving, its Circle of Honor.  Denise has been a Local 162 member and UPS driver since 1987.   "Denise has set a good example for safe driving, hard work and solid Teamster membership," said Local 162 President Mark Davison.

Local 162 has updated our UPS package driver survival guide to reflect changes in the new UPS contracts, which were fully ratified on April 29, 2019.   With a new five year contract that runs from August 1, 2018 thru July 31, 2023, comes our ongoing duty to lead, educate and unite our Teamster brothers and sisters.

Local 162 member Tim Hermens retired after 31 years of service as a package car driver at UPS and a long time shop steward.  Tim also served as the sergeant-at-arms at the monthly general membership meetings for Local 162.  He was a fixture at all Local 162 events and job actions and is a true trade unionist and loyal and strong Teamster.

40 year Local 162 member Bill Anderson has retired from UPS.  Bill was a feeder driver, Union activist and regular attendee at Local 162 monthly general membership meetings.  We appreciate the loyalty and support Bill has always demonstrated to his Union and his dedication to his trade and craft at UPS.  Congratulations Bill!