2016 Michigan Teamster Voter Information

GENERAL ELECTION - November 8, 2016

Last day to register: October 11, 2016

The 2016 elections are just a few months away.  Between now and Tuesday, November 8th Michigan Teamsters Joint Council #43 and our affiliated local unions will be working to expand their involvement to make sure that working families can have a voice in shaping the political landscape in Lansing and Washington, D.C. 

"We must never underestimate how important it is for Teamsters to unite and have a strong and powerful display of unity on election day," Michigan Teamsters Joint Council #43 President Greg Nowak said.  "As we have witnessed here in Michigan all too well, when the wrong people with the wrong priorities get elected to public office the results are scandalous.  We have experienced our share in Michigan.  Pothole ridden roads, bridges that are literally falling apart, public schools that lack resources to properly educate our children, poisoned drinking water in Flint, neglected veterans at a Grand Rapids veterans facility, favoritism for Snyder's family and campaign contributors, passage of laws to weaken workers' rights and bust unions and a lack of interest or compassion for the people of Michigan.  This shameful demonstration of 'leadership' is the hallmark of the Snyder/GOP regime in Lansing, and shows why we must all get politically involved to take Michigan in a new and productive direction for working families."

Nowak said the real answer to fixing Michigan's problems, which are getting worse everyday due to lack of leadership from the governor and his family members, political associates and wealthy contributors rests directly with Teamsters and their families.  

"Voting is the great equalizer which gives middle class families the strength to advance our interests through the power of the ballot box," Nowak said.  "Don't be fooled by the propoganda of candidates who shout about all that is wrong without any true solutions.  Any candidate who brags about wanting to make our country great and then turns around and attacks workers and targets unions for elimination are not worth our time.  Government is not a circus act and we must all be cautious about getting caught up in the moment and losing sight of what really matters."

The first step to bringing positive changes to Michigan is registering to vote.  While some state lawmakers have made voting more difficult and time consuming, including a December, 2015 vote to ban straight-ticket voting, some Lansing officials who value democracy are continuing the fight to protect our democratic rights.  We applaud the actions of our friends in Lansing who are challenging this ban on straight-ticket voting with a lawsuit.

The first step in the voting process begins by REGISTERING to vote.  Recognizing that the process can sometimes seem overwhelming, the Michigan Secretary of State's office has put together a step-by-step guide to explain the process and help Michigan Teamsters expand local union voter registration. If you are not sure whether or not you are registered, there is a simple and easy way to check. The click of a mouse is all it takes to see your registration status, view a sample ballot for your area and track your absentee ballot (just in case it gets 'lost' in the mail).

Thanks to 21st Century technology, Michigan Teamsters can also register to vote online.  The process is simple and takes only a few minutes.  Use this link to register to vote so that come election day you can make your voice heard by making your vote count.

Election 2016 is our chance to take our country back from the right and powerful who have done so much damage to everything working families hold dear.  Register today and make your vote count this year!

Central States Pension Update:

Teamsters President Jim Hoffa with Senator Bernie Sanders (D) During Pension Bill Press Conference

Connect These Dots in the War On the Middle Class

Unions Plot Major Organizing Push Following Landmark NLRB Ruling

U.S. union leaders said on Friday that a landmark U.S. labor board ruling on companies' obligations toward contract and franchise workers would help them organize manufacturers and e-commerce companies as well as fast food chains.

Gallup Poll: American Public's Overall Approval Rating of Labor Unions Rising

American working men and women, demanding a stronger future and a better quality of life at work, are again taking a closer look at unions.  A Gallop Poll shows that public approval and support of unions is on the rise after taking a beating following the 2008 Great Recession.  Workers are fearful of the future and simply do not trust their employers (or the politicians) to do what is right for working families.

Court Upholds NLRB's Ruling to Expedite Union Organizing

“The court's decision in Associated Builders & Contractors of Texas is likely to lead to an increase in organizing activity in the coming months...”

Michigan Teamsters are well positioned to take advantage of this new NLRB ruling to expand our organizing activities statewide.

Let's all do our part to educate rank-and-file Teamsters about ALEC's national political schemes to attack and undermine the power and strength of American working families.

Click here to find out “How To Talk About ALEC” with your membership.

Michigan Teamsters also need to know the facts about what ALEC is doing as “the voice of corporate special interests” in states across the country, including here in Michigan.

The James R. Hoffa/Martin Luther King, Jr. Civil Rights Connection

Have you ever wondered what former Teamsters President James Riddle Hoffa and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. discussed with each other during the height of the crucial civil rights battles of the 1960s?

These two historic figures shared tremendous respect for one another and supported each other in their mutual fight for justice, freedom and strength for all American men and women.

Now you can learn the bond they shared by reading, in their own words, what each believed were the key challenges and opportunities of the time.  

The King Center has made available online a sample of letters between the Teamsters General President and the leader of the SCLC Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Read these invaluable historic documents here:http://www.thekingcenter.org/archive/theme/2439

Joint Council #43 Stewards Pledge To Expand Internal and External Organizing To Effectively Combat Michigan's "Right-to-Freeload" Rule

Greetings from Joint Council #43 President Greg Nowak

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

Teamsters Joint Council #43 is working everyday to enhance communications with rank-and-file members across Michigan.  We recognize the importance of information and so, in conjunction with our affiliated local unions, are making it a priority to provide members with updated news and information as quickly as possible

One new way we are refining our communication program is with this website.  Digital communications is essential to our growth and success in the 21st Century.  Therefore, we are moving forward to take advantage of this growing and useful technology.  As you can see, we have designed a very user-friendly that Teamsters, both here in Michigan and across the country, can log on to for information about events taking place here in Michigan.

I encourage all members to visit this website frequently so that you can keep updated about issues and events that impact your jobs, your benefits, your workplace rights, your union and your future.  As I see it, our priority is to do everything we can to spread the positive message about how Michigan Teamsters are working diligently to make their workplaces, and our communities, safer and stronger for everyone.

If you ever have any questions about the services provided by the Joint Council, or if you have suggestions for improving our website, feel free to give me a call.  Remember, we are here to serve and represent you.

Fraternally,

Greg Nowak, President - Michigan Teamsters Joint Council #43

Did you know that the George Washington University Labor History Research Center in Washington, D.C. houses the archives of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters?

Check it out next time you are in the nation's capitol and in the mean time, check out their internet website with incredible materials that are available for review digitally.

Agreement Launches New Era of Democracy and Accountability for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters

	IBT President Jim Hoffa announces historic agreement to end 25 years of U.S. government oversight of the Teamsters Union.