President Ramon Williams joins the fight to save pensions
TNBC Chicago Chapter President Ramon Williams was one of the more than 10,000 union workers and retirees who assembled on the grounds of the Ohio state Capitol on Thursday, July 12 to let members of a joint congressional committee know they need to act quickly to protect the jeopardized pensions of some 1.5 million people.
Union workers and retirees joined the leaders of the Teamsters, United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) and Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers' International Union (BCTGM) in telling how cuts to their multi-employer pension plan benefits would devastate their lives and make it difficult to pay for their homes and medical costs.
Members of the Joint Select Committee on Solvency of Multi-employer Pension Plans held a field hearing on July 13 at the state Capitol. The committee, which is comprised of eight senators and eight members of the House evenly divided by party, is tasked with reporting a bill by the end of 2018 that would solve the pension crisis.
Union workers and retirees joined the leaders of the Teamsters, United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) and Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers' International Union (BCTGM) in telling how cuts to their multi-employer pension plan benefits would devastate their lives and make it difficult to pay for their homes and medical costs.
Members of the Joint Select Committee on Solvency of Multi-employer Pension Plans held a field hearing on July 13 at the state Capitol. The committee, which is comprised of eight senators and eight members of the House evenly divided by party, is tasked with reporting a bill by the end of 2018 that would solve the pension crisis.
thank you to all for attending the 10th Annual FAMILY DAY OUTING
The 10th Annual TNBC Family Day Outing was held on Saturday, June 9 at Bremen Grove in Tinley Park. This year’s outing was themed “Teamster Women on the Move” as the event was planned to celebrate and honor the many accomplishments of Teamster women. More than 325 of our fellow Teamsters and their family and friends were in attendance. Both adults and children enjoyed games, delicious food and other activities. A prize raffle was held, which included spa packages from Mirror Mirror, a chic boutique in Chicago's West Loop, and two brand new children's bikes.
We would like to thank everyone who attended the event and supported the Chicago Chapter as well as our sponsors and those who donated raffle prizes.
We would like to thank everyone who attended the event and supported the Chicago Chapter as well as our sponsors and those who donated raffle prizes.
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE THROUGH THE TNBC CHICAGO CHAPTER
The TNBC Chicago Chapter offers two scholarships each year to members' dependent children who will be continuing their education through a four-year college, junior college, vocational training or specialized career schools. The member must be active and in good standing for at least six months for the dependent child to apply. Please click on the links below to download the scholarship applications and for details on requirements and any pre-requisites needed to apply.
Click here to download the Ted Mullins Scholarship and requirements.
Click here to download the William Peeples Memorial Scholarship and requirements.
Click here to download the Ted Mullins Scholarship and requirements.
Click here to download the William Peeples Memorial Scholarship and requirements.
REMEMBERING FORMER CHICAGO CHAPTER PRESIDENT TED MULLINS
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TNBC's 43rd Annual Educational Conference & banquet
ASHES TO ASHES; Article by KWAME SALTER
I would rather men should ask why no statue was erected in my honor, than why one was.
Marcus Porcius Cato
According to historical references, "Cato the Elder, born Marcus Porcius Cato and known as Cato the Censor, Cato the Wise, and Cato the Ancient, was a Roman senator and historian known for his conservatism and opposition to Hellenization." Regarding the erection of statues, at least, he got it right.
In the spirit of full disclosure, I am not a big fan of erecting stone or bronze monuments to sports stars, entertainers or treasonous insurrectionists. I am particularly opposed to using these larger-than-life sculptures to memorialize individuals who consciously decided to wage war to keep other human beings in a state of animal-like bondage.
Currently, our nation appears to be in a passionate debate as to the propriety of having Confederate heroes line the streets, parks, and grounds of public buildings. Some in the South who support keeping these monuments in place claim that these icons represent "their heritage." This argument assumes that the millions of African Americans who toiled, were brutalized, and slaughtered in the pre-Civil War concentration camps, known as plantations, have no claim to a Southern heritage.
This so-called "whites only" Southern heritage argument is specious at best and delusional at its core.
Others supporters and apologists for keeping these monuments in place pose an equally outrageous argument. They postulate that if the statues of their so-called heroes of the Confederacy are to be done away with, why not George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and any other of our slave-owning Founding Fathers? In response to this argument, Prof. Gregory Downs, of the University of California and a Civil War researcher, says it best: "It is obvious that traitors in arms to the nation are not equivalent to those who created it."
Claiming ownership of another human being cannot and should not be justified. Still, it was the Founding Fathers who, under the divine spell of God Almighty, wrote a prescient document that contradicted their despicable reality. In fact, it has been the Constitution that has served as both sword and shield for the sons, daughters, and grandchildren of former slaves to demand both their civil and human rights.
It is still perplexing that anyone could argue with a straight face that it is "foolish" to discuss removing these vile reminders of a shameful past. Even in the bowels of foundries, factories, and other workplaces, it is conventional wisdom that degrading images and totems of women and ethnic minorities constitute a hostile work environment — and must be ripped out of lockers and off the walls.
How about as an African American (emphasis on American) walking down a boulevard full of statues glorifying the men who deliberately chose insurrection to keep your people in bondage? Talk about a hostile work environment! Try every day, functioning in a hostile living environment.
My fellow Americans, think about the fact that there are no statutes of Saddam Hussein in Iraq; no statues of Gaddafi in Libya; no statues of Mussolini in Italy; and no monument to Adolf Hitler in Germany. They ruled, they lost and consequently they have been, with great fanfare, consigned to the scrap heap of history.
In closing, it is not the brick and bronze images that concern us; rather it is the mentality, mindset and invidious message being sent by their ardent supporters.
To many of us, these statues are gargoyles set about to keep evil in the spotlight.
Published Aug. 22, 2017 in OakPark.com
Marcus Porcius Cato
According to historical references, "Cato the Elder, born Marcus Porcius Cato and known as Cato the Censor, Cato the Wise, and Cato the Ancient, was a Roman senator and historian known for his conservatism and opposition to Hellenization." Regarding the erection of statues, at least, he got it right.
In the spirit of full disclosure, I am not a big fan of erecting stone or bronze monuments to sports stars, entertainers or treasonous insurrectionists. I am particularly opposed to using these larger-than-life sculptures to memorialize individuals who consciously decided to wage war to keep other human beings in a state of animal-like bondage.
Currently, our nation appears to be in a passionate debate as to the propriety of having Confederate heroes line the streets, parks, and grounds of public buildings. Some in the South who support keeping these monuments in place claim that these icons represent "their heritage." This argument assumes that the millions of African Americans who toiled, were brutalized, and slaughtered in the pre-Civil War concentration camps, known as plantations, have no claim to a Southern heritage.
This so-called "whites only" Southern heritage argument is specious at best and delusional at its core.
Others supporters and apologists for keeping these monuments in place pose an equally outrageous argument. They postulate that if the statues of their so-called heroes of the Confederacy are to be done away with, why not George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and any other of our slave-owning Founding Fathers? In response to this argument, Prof. Gregory Downs, of the University of California and a Civil War researcher, says it best: "It is obvious that traitors in arms to the nation are not equivalent to those who created it."
Claiming ownership of another human being cannot and should not be justified. Still, it was the Founding Fathers who, under the divine spell of God Almighty, wrote a prescient document that contradicted their despicable reality. In fact, it has been the Constitution that has served as both sword and shield for the sons, daughters, and grandchildren of former slaves to demand both their civil and human rights.
It is still perplexing that anyone could argue with a straight face that it is "foolish" to discuss removing these vile reminders of a shameful past. Even in the bowels of foundries, factories, and other workplaces, it is conventional wisdom that degrading images and totems of women and ethnic minorities constitute a hostile work environment — and must be ripped out of lockers and off the walls.
How about as an African American (emphasis on American) walking down a boulevard full of statues glorifying the men who deliberately chose insurrection to keep your people in bondage? Talk about a hostile work environment! Try every day, functioning in a hostile living environment.
My fellow Americans, think about the fact that there are no statutes of Saddam Hussein in Iraq; no statues of Gaddafi in Libya; no statues of Mussolini in Italy; and no monument to Adolf Hitler in Germany. They ruled, they lost and consequently they have been, with great fanfare, consigned to the scrap heap of history.
In closing, it is not the brick and bronze images that concern us; rather it is the mentality, mindset and invidious message being sent by their ardent supporters.
To many of us, these statues are gargoyles set about to keep evil in the spotlight.
Published Aug. 22, 2017 in OakPark.com
VETERANS URGED TO APPLY FOR TEAMSTERS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TMAP)
Are you a military veteran? As part of your Teamster membership, you could be entitled to additional benefits.
The Teamsters Military Assistance Program (TMAP) helps veterans locate outstanding service-related disability benefits. The program can help Teamsters track down services, benefits and funds owed to them as veterans — in some cases, for as much as tens of thousands of dollars in back benefits.
DOWNLOAD A TMAP REGISTRATION FORM
After submitting your form, a representative will contact you to answer some additional questions. TMAP personnel will then work to identify outstanding benefits owed to you and your family.
Visit TMAP online or DOWNLOAD A FORM
The Teamsters Military Assistance Program (TMAP) helps veterans locate outstanding service-related disability benefits. The program can help Teamsters track down services, benefits and funds owed to them as veterans — in some cases, for as much as tens of thousands of dollars in back benefits.
DOWNLOAD A TMAP REGISTRATION FORM
After submitting your form, a representative will contact you to answer some additional questions. TMAP personnel will then work to identify outstanding benefits owed to you and your family.
Visit TMAP online or DOWNLOAD A FORM
Join the chicago chapter of the teamsters national black caucus!New members of the Chicago Chapter of the Teamsters National Black Caucus are encouraged to join now and receive a discounted membership rate of $75 for their first year.
Click the link below to sign up today. |
The Teamsters National Black Caucus is a vital arm of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Join the Chicago Chapter of TNBC and help us improve the lives of working men and women.
“The members of the TNBC know what it means to move in the right direction. The Teamsters Union is the most diverse labor union in the country, always ready to do the right thing for our membership. I encourage you to seek out the TNBC and commit to making a difference in the lives of working families in Chicago and beyond.” -Ramon Williams, President Teamsters National Black Caucus Chicago Chapter |
2018 executive board of the chicago chapter of the tnbc
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Ramon D. Williams
President Patricia Gillette Thomas Vice President & Political Coordinator Diahann Goode Treasurer Larry Mullins Recording Secretary |
Zeberdee Barnes
Trustee Floyd Hughes Trustee & Sergeant at Arms Chris (Tracta) Trailor Trustee & Political Coordinator Tres G. Peel Director of Communications |
Tally Collier
Director of Visual Media Jessie W. Lee Executive Director Ted Mullins Honorary Executive Director Norman H. Wallace Parliamentarian |
