The Tacoma Rainiers are showing their appreciation for DRIVERS. This is a wonderful opportunity for you drivers, to get some quality time with the family that work often keeps you away from.

It might be early for Truck Driver Appreciation Week, but it's never too early to thank a truck driver. Special shout out to all the DRIVERS at Local Union No. 252. Thank you for all the miles you put in keeping goods on track and on time. 

This morning, the employees at Advanced Drainage Systems (ADS) in Olympia ratified their first ever collective bargaining agreement. This is the first agreement for this company in the Nation. The groups top priorities, which the Teamsters were able to secure, were job protections and guaranteed wage increases. We are excited to welcome the ADS group to the Teamsters!

After 44 years, Master Mechanic and Shop Steward Corky Watkins retired from Ocean Spray. Congratulations on a well-deserved retirement!

We are happy to announce the recipients of the 2024-2025 Russ Walpole Scholarship Award! 

Pictured above are Russ Walpole Scholarship recipients Cassidy Phan of Olympia High School and Bannack Firkins of Capitol High School.

First, we want to thank all applicants for their very thoughtful responses. The students that applied made the selection process very difficult. Secondly, we want to thank the Scholarship Award Committee for their care in reviewing each application and thoughtfully selecting this year's recipients.  We are so proud of these students for their hard work and dedication to furthering their education. Wishing all applicants the best luck on their future academic endeavors.

A BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO:

 Kennedee Woolett: Shelton High School

 Cassidy Phan: Olympia High School

 Kassidy Jack: Timberline High School

 Kylie Buchin: South Kitsap High School

 Bannack Firkins: Capitol High School                     

Bettering the lives of workers and their families is what we do at Local 252, but we cannot do it alone. Jesus saw an opportunity to improve his life and the lives of his coworkers, never losing sight of the greater good and maintaining a positive attitude all the way. Jesus was outstanding in his organizing role and will undoubtedly be an effective voice for his coworkers in negotiations.

“Hey, I’m Jesus, a proud new member of Teamsters 252. This process has been a good learning experience! In the beginning, not everyone was on board, but I maintained a positive attitude, and everything worked out. In the end, all but one voted yes. During the process, I was not alone. I was there supported by my fellow team members. I was not alone, and that’s the whole meaning of the union and what my team stands by. If we stand as one, we are one.

“” Martin Luther King said, we must learn to live together as brothers, or we will perish as fools. ”” This quote motivated me to make this work. Going forward, we have each other and that gives me great confidence as we fight for what we deserve!" 

Joice McCoy, Lewis County Sheriffs Corrections Lieutenant and Proud Teamster, retired after 38.8 years of service. In 2005, McCoy fought hard to keep the Lieutenants and Corrections Sargent in the union when some members of the group wanted to decertify and become a guild. McCoy said "it was a bloodbath", clearly a fight worth fighting. Local 252 wants to thank you, McCoy, for your hard work and dedication to your community, and thank you for all the time and energy you gave your Teamsters Brothers and Sisters as Shop Steward.

Congratulations Joyce McCoy, we wish you all the best in your retirement!

Lewis County Sheriffs Support Staff leaves their guild for better benefits and peace of mind over healthcare in retirement. 

"The financial hardship of medical coverage for retirement age people is crazy", said Tamra Shields, former Guild President. "We are faced with so much uncertainty about if or when we will be able to retire, not knowing if we will be able to afford medical coverage before Medicare eligibility. This Retiree Medical plan being afforded to us changes that. There is no medical coverage plan with coverage at age 50 that even comes close to what this plan offers".

Vice President of the Guild, now Teamsters' member in good standing Sarah Booker-Godsey says ''joining the Teamsters is refreshing. In an environment always changing, being part of a contract that prioritizes the employees' best interests brings peace of mind to the Support Staff currently working, and I hope it will incentivize new hires to make a career at Lewis County''.

Senior Business Agent Rob ReRosa and the rest of us here at Local 252 are excited to introduce the Lewis County Sheriffs Support Staff. 

 A signing ceremony was held on February 22nd, to officiate the newly ratified agreement between the Teamsters Local 252 and the City of Tumwater Public Works Department.

Dave Schween, Michelle Sutherland, Rob DeRosa, Mayor Debbie Sullivan, and Brian Blaisdell 

"Pay increases on this contract were a big plus for the crew. I was also really happy to see additional things (longevity pay, and City contribution to the pension) make it into the contract that will act as a foundation to build from in the future. These items were just a wish list for so long". Dave Schwenn Shop Steward and Bargaining Team Member

2024-02-28 Teamsters Signing 1.jpg

Public Safety 911 Telecommunicators, worked closely with the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) to separate the Telecommunicators from under the Sheriff’s Department contract and supervision to a separate contract under the County. This new contract gives Public Safety Telecommunicators security in their supervisor. Their direct supervision will be hired with the department's goals and needs as the priority. In addition to this security, the negotiation team won historic pay increases.

Bargaining team member Mosley said, “Negotiations went smoother than in years past, and she was happy about the pay increases”.

Teamsters Local 252 members at City of Tumwater Public Works have ratified a new three (3) year agreement. The new three (3) year agreement provides historical pay increases, recognition of longevity, has the City paying into the Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trust, and the City continues to pay 100% full Medical and Benefits for the life of the agreement. This contract greatly benefits 32 Local 252 members and their families.

“The bargaining committee did an incredible job," said Brian Blaisdell Secretary - Treasurer, "the team of, Senior Business Agent Rob DeRosa, Business Agent Heather Slusher and Shop Steward David Schwen worked hard to achieve this incredible agreement”.

Recently organized UNFI Drivers met with Local 252 staff on Saturday to discuss and prepare for upcoming negotiations with the Company. The 53-worker group overcame a vicious anti-union campaign by the company to win strong representation. They are seeking improvements to wages, working conditions, and health care and retirement benefits.