WELCOME MESSAGE FROM SECRETARY-TREASURER PAUL A. KENNY

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I would like to start out by thanking all of you for supporting me and this great Local Union in Los Angeles.

Teamsters Local 630 is a Local proud of its members and proud of all the achievements we have made for working men and women.

Sometime ago, you, the members, elected me as Secretary-Treasurer to lead this Local forward. I would like for all of you to know and understand the position of your Local and your Secretary-Treasurer.

We operate with strength, integrity, and credibility. We are here to uphold Local 630 members’ concerns, to take care of the excellent contracts we have achieved over the years, and to protect the interests of our retirees, our children, and anyone who needs a helping hand from this Local Union.

Teamsters Local 630 owns and operates a Teamsters Truck, which has been on the front lines of organizing and charitable activities. Our Teamsters Truck has made national news—and made the cover of 10-4 Magazine. It has helped people by delivering food and water—from victims of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans to providing aid to the homeless in downtown Los Angeles.

Local 630 proudly stands shoulder to shoulder with our brothers and sisters from other unions. During the past four years, Local 630 – particularly members in all Vons Divisions and Ralph’s Grocery Company in Glendale – fought the big grocery chains along side the United Food and Commercial Workers. This fight was the largest ever in Southern California and will go down in the history books.

A short time ago, I was with the UFCW during the most recent negotiations. The companies wanted to gut the UFCW’s Health and Welfare benefits, and had dreams of running the union out of their stores. If the companies had been successful in taking away benefits or breaking the UFCW, it would have eventually hurt the Teamsters. But, united with the UFCW and other unions, we would not let that happen. With public support and Teamster members pledging to honor the lines, UFCW members were able to win back most of what was wrongfully taken from them in the strike and lockout of 2003–04.

We know that employers like these are thinking every day about ways to cut back on wages, benefits, and positions. However, we are strong and well–prepared to defend ourselves from these attacks. If employers want to take away our Health and Welfare, or erode any part of our Agreements at any division of this Los Angeles Local, they will have to take it from me and you: in the streets.

The Defense-Strike fund is in excellent condition. We are ready for anything, and prepared to fight as long as it takes. Under the directive of your Local 630 Executive Board, and myself this Local was able to pay to our members a dual check for Defense Monies over a period of approximately five months. This was only possible due to our long-term commitment to develop a Strike Fund, spurred by the eight–week Grocery Strike of 1985.

Recently, with the support of all 630 members, we have rebuilt our building month-by-month. The building, which was constructed in 1906, is now worth approximately $3 million. It is a symbol of our history, our strength, and our commitment to the men and women working in Southern California.

Remember, the Teamsters are not the best because we are the biggest. We are the biggest because we are the best.

I look forward to working with each of you toward many victories in the coming years.

Sincerely,

Paul A. Kenny
Secretary–Treasurer