Principal Officer's Message

I would like to personally welcome all members and guests to the Teamsters Local 991 web site. The goal is to make this site member friendly and with your input we will achieve that goal.

It is with honor and gratitude that I serve the members and look forward to growing Local 991 to the level of potential that I vision.

The future looks bright for this Local Union. We have added approximately 500 new members since October, 2005. This includes over 150 at Allied Waste, with whom we ratified a first Collective Bargaining Agreement in December, 2005. We now have ratified second contracts for our members at Allied Waste. During 2007 the Local Union became involved in a campaign at the New Era Cap Company. After a contentious organizing campaign, the Local Union, with the help of its allies, the NAACP, Major League Baseball, Students Against Sweatshops and Interfaith Justice, was able to win a representation election and a subsequent first contract. Additionally, the Union was given card check neutrality for New Era's Jackson, Alabama production facility. That group has been organized and we are about to secure a first contract. The total membership at New Era could reach 400. During the spring of 2008, the Local added approximately 60 new members at UPS Freight, formerly Overnite. It was with the dedicated support of the IBT Organizing Department and Joint Council 75 that we were able to achieve these goals. The internal organizing, within the crafts we currently have under contract, has been responsible for the balance of the increase.

The Executive Board has changed as well. Brothers Frank Davis, Lavon (Rooster) Lindsey and Mack Taite have assumed positions as Trustees. Brother John Armstrong has retired after many years of loyal service to the Local Union. Antoine Lott is now the Vice President. Judy Chapa and Cynthia Powe comprise Local 991's office staff. The membership is blessed with their experience and knowledge that comprises the heart and soul of this Local. Cynthia has been appointed the Business Agent for Coca Cola. David Smith was appointed Business Agent for several of the Local's white paper contracts in 2006.

The jurisdiction of the Local is broad and the membership is diverse. We cover from the Florida Panhandle (Tallahassee) to the Louisiana/Mississippi state line and Southern Alabama. As you will see, if you visit the companies section of the site, we represented an assortment of crafts. The challenge is to monitor the Collective Bargaining Agreements currently in place, negotiate better contracts upon expiration, and to organize the workers seeking membership in this great Union. We are looking forward to the challenge. It will not be easy in the anti-union environment that exists today. The playing field is skewed in favor of the Company. However, if we practice the true meaning of a Union, a group of workers acting as one, we will make positive strides towards attaining those objectives. It will take the hard work of all of us to make progress.

Please feel free to contact the Local Union with questions or concerns that you may have. Remember, there are General Membership Meetings on the third Saturday of each month. This is YOUR Local Union. Start coming to the meetings and let's pack the Union Hall. I hope to see you there.

Fraternally,

Jim Gookins