Teamster Riders President Jerry Doubleday and Teamster Rider Leonard Leal, both shop stewards make first edition of “Teamsters News of Local 848”, Vol1, #1.
The new Ralphs distribution center in the city of Paramount is overflowing with Teamster members.
Over forty Local 848 drivers work with members of several other Southern California Teamster Locals to operate the facility and move goods to stores around the state. The new DC, which will become fully operational in January, joins the Ralphs Glendale distribution center in servicing the area.
Leonard Leal, the Local 848 Shop Steward at the Paramount facility, is very excited to be part of the latest generation of Ralphs distribution centers. A Teamster member foe 22 years, and steward for eight, Leal drives delivery routes that take him from Santa Maria and Bakersfield in the north to San Diego in the south.
“The new distribution center is completely automated inside,” explained Leal. “It is designed to increase the turnaround time when we drop off and pick up goods. Faster delivery means fresher products for the consumer. It’s great to have Teamsters involved in all aspects of this state of the art facility.”
For Jerry Doubleday, the Shop Steward at the Glendale location, the facility in Paramount means that many of the Teamster drivers he represents have been transferred. It is only temporary, however, as plans are in the works to expand Glendale into one of the largest centers in Southern California.
“We used to have a lot more drivers but they moved to Paramount in anticipation of the expansion,” said Jerry Doubleday, a 31-year Teamster and four-year steward. “Right now we only have dry goods, but once construction is complete we will have perishables and meat handled by some of the new automated technology.”
Local 848 Secretary-Treasure Eric Tate expressed his appreciation for the job the two stewards do at the Ralphs sites. “Being a Teamster Shop Steward is not easy,” explained Tate. “They are constantly watching out for their Teamster members, enforcing the collective bargaining agreements, and communicating with management.”Tate believes that Leal and Doubleday, as well as all stewards from Local 848, are vital reasons for the strength and unity of the Teamsters. “Not only do they help resolve any concerns with the company, they also keep our members together and fighting for the same cause,” added Tate. Stewards are one of the most important links in the Teamster chain,”
Message from Local 848 Secretary-Treasurer, Eric Tate.
It is my pleasure to introduce all Local 848 members to their new quarterly publication.
This is part of an exciting new communications program for the local, aimed to help keep you better informed. It includes this publication, an expanded website and our regular column in the Joint Council 42 newspaper.
The most exciting part about this publication is that it will focus on YOU. As you will see here, we have started visiting various shops and worksites to interview and take photos of members. Their stories will be included in issues ahead and you will get to view extra photos of your fellow Teamsters in an online photo gallery coming soon.
Our goals with this new program are direct. We want to build your pride as Local 848 members and generate support for your fellow Teamsters.
You will meet members who, although they may work in a different industry than you, share your same concerns and objectives. You will soon realize that all Teamsters are aiming for the same goal: to make sure union workers get the quality pay an benefits that they deserve.
You will also meet shop stewards, the backbone of the union. They are your immediate voice to management on the job site and they work tirelessly on your behalf. They work extra hard because they understand that winning Teamster representation isn’t enough. Our hard-fought contracts need to be protected, so that members like you can continue to enjoy fair wages and good benefits.
Finally, you will meet your Local 848 business agents.
These are the people who are always on duty to visit your job site, take your phone calls and help you understand the contract. Along with your officers and shop stewards, they negotiate your contracts and represent members at grievance hearings and arbitrations.
This publication will not just be for you, but also for your whole family. It is important for your family and friends to understand what goes into a successful union and the many ways we serve you.
