Vote Coming On Joining Teamsters Union

It took eight months for county employees to build a road toward Teamsters Union representation.

First there were the unfavorable reactions during last year's budget sessions.

Then, in November, some workers inquired about joining a union - many of them looked toward Teamsters Local Union 79 out of Tampa.

"We took a step backward to figure out what the workers wanted," said Local 79 spokesman John Sholtes.

The campaign kicked into high gear in February and an organizational committee was formed soon thereafter, he said.

Based on history, several laborers and employees for various businesses have chosen to unionize at a time when company executives are in the middle of cutting costs. They believe they need some protection.

When those executives see the possibility of paying more for workers' wages and benefits, they might opt to terminate those jobs. Last month, 29 employees from the Contra Costa Times and Oakland Tribune were fired after their attempts to join the newly formed Bay Area News Group-East Bay (BANG-EB) union.

A former police officer in Fulton, Ill., filed a federal lawsuit in June claiming he was fired in retaliation for trying to organize a union.

Hernando County is in the midst of reducing its budget for the second consecutive year. For some managers, now is not the most idealistic time for workers to be unionizing.

Nonetheless, County Administrator David Hamilton has said he would not interfere with the employees' attempt to join with the Teamsters.

"We're a well-oiled machine," said Sholtes. "We're very good at what we do and we do things the right way. Our success rate is consistently (high)."

He also said he "feels good" about Hamilton's statements to him about not interfering.

The organization committee voted unanimously to file for an election earlier this year.

Sholtes said 30 percent of the vote is needed to request an election. In Hernando County, more than 60 percent were in favor of going forward.

The 600 or so workers must vote 50 percent plus one in favor for a union to be formed.

It still has not been determined whether the voting will take place on a particular day or by mail. That decision could come next week, Sholtes said.

"We feel great about our chances in winning an election (for Teamsters representation)," said organizing committee member Penny Oliver. "We have a strong, focused group of workers who simply want a fair contract to protect our rights as employees."