What being a Teamster means to me:
Taking pride in my job, and my union; and in the tradition of looking out not just for yourself, but your brothers and sisters on the job.
It's the satisfaction that comes with being able to negotiate with the employer, rather than being dictated to, or having your worth as an employee being held at far below market value.
It's the sense of family we have; even though we are called a "brotherhood" hearkening back to the old days when few women were in the workplace, we are truly a family of men and women of all colors and races. Our union has long championed equality on the workplace for women and minorities.
We look out for one another, as a family does. We may not always get along or agree, as families do, but in the ned, most of us will stand up for one another BECAUSE THAT IS WHERE OUR STRENGTH LIES!
The saying we have is one that is apropo more now than ever:
UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE BEG!
We all stand for the tradition our forefathers started; equality, fairness, hard work, and pride.
We union workers have much to be proud about. Our fathers and grandfathers fought to create a more level playing field for the working man in this country. Overtime pay. On-the-job safety laws. Weekends. Retirement security. Affordable healthcare.
They fought for that. Some bled and even died for those things we enjoy now. There are forces at work in this country that would tear all of that down, and send us back to the bad old days, and don't any of you ever forget that, union or non-union. They have a lot of money and a lot of power, and they are and will use them against us working men to try and inflate their profits and power at our expense, and at the expense of our children and their children.
No union is perfect, and neither is any one of us. There are problems with our union, and always will be. But as long as union members care enough to get involved and to be part of the solution rather than part of the problem, than I cannot help but think we will overcome our innate internal problems.
What I appreciate about our union is that our strength is in our members. Union officials don't ratify contracts, or vote to go on strike.
The members do.
Union leadership doesn't vote itself in, or decide for themselves if they are doing a good job or a bad job.
The members decide.
When was the last time you as an employee got to decide who your CEO is? Or your immediate supervisor?
We are about democracy. We are about helping the workers of this country to better their lives and the lioves of their families, towards the end of strengthening this great nation. We are not a nation of paupers or welfare cases.
We are a nation of WORKERS! We are the most productive nation on Earth, and the most wealthy, and that did not just fall out of the sky by pure chance. We built a strong nation because we are strong people with deep beliefs and a love of family and country.
Unions have been-- and always will be-- an important part of this equation, if for no other reason than because we are a stubborn people who do not take lightly to being treated as second-best.
Our only real enemy as American workers is APATHY. Just not caring to get involved, or to better oneself, or to look out for your fellow Americans.
In closing, I am proud to be an American... and I'm damned proud to be a working Teamster!
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