COVID vaccine mandate - legal update

Fri, 09/24/2021 - 12:53pm

Memorandum and Order on Plaintiff's Motion for Preliminary Injunction

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We have received the following letter from our lawyer, Al Gordon:

As you know, we are still at the bargaining table with MassDOT on the COVID mandate and are still arguing to get the arbitrary October 17 deadline pushed off while we try to urge the Department to agree to a testing alternative or some other alternative for those members who choose not to vaccinate.  As you also know, the larger state-wide unions have a head start on their bargaining and thus also have a head start on legal proceedings both at the DLR and in the Courts.
 
The one Union furthest out ahead is the State Police Association of Massachusetts (SPAM), which has already filed charges at the DLR and filed for an injunction in the Superior Court.  I reviewed their filings, spoke with their counsel, and attended the Court hearings on Wednesday morning.  SPAM’s attorney argued the case forcefully and intelligently, but despite his strong efforts, the Court issued its ruling late yesterday (attached) denying SPAM’s request for an injunction.  While the Court didn’t accept the Commonwealth’s argument that the Court lacked jurisdiction, the Court ruled that SPAM failed to show irreparable harm and also that the granting of the injunction would be against the public interest.

Update

Wed, 09/15/2021 - 2:03pm
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
 
Governor Baker's Executive Order 595 Mandate 08.19.2021
 
We the Teamsters Local 127 were the first Union to ask DOT to cease and desist this 595 mandate and demanded to bargain over it  DOT met with the Teamsters twice and we have a third round next week. Teamsters Local 127 have made many calls to the IBT in D.C. and to Joint council 10 here in New England to no avail.
 
Make no mistake about it: we the Teamsters believe it is an individual's choice to take or not to take any vaccine; this is the USA, not Russia.  Having said that,our attorney has informed this office that the mandatory vaccine is inevitable Please be advised that all DOT employees need to get vaccinated and DOT assured Teamsters
that as long as an employee is in the process of getting the vaccine before Oct,17.2021 no progressive discipline will be levied on any Local 127 member.
 
Thank you for understanding.
 
In Solidarity,
Brother George

 
George E. McGilloway Secretary-Treasurer/Principal Executive Officer
Teamsters Local 127

New Hires

Fri, 08/27/2021 - 8:15am
Dear Brother and Sisters,
 
Teamsters are aware of the fact that some new hires are coming on the job at higher rates of pay and grade.

We have our attorney looking into it  Our contract states - and DOT knows this - that all new hires start at the lowest pay and grade.
 
This Local will get to the bottom of this issue and make whole any affected members.  Or simply start the new hires at lowest rate and grade.
 
As for the DOT, common sense is very uncommon.
 
In Solidarity,
Brother 
GEORGE

Union Update

Mon, 08/23/2021 - 9:32am

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Governor Baker signed an executive order # 595 without first bargaining with the Teamsters Local 127.  It mandates that by October 17 all Local 127 members need to be vaccinated from COVID-19.

Teamsters filed all the appropriate charges and we will fight them on this.  Absolutely NO one will take the vaccination if they DO NOT want it, either by a doctor's note or by your religious beliefs.

In Solidarity,
Brother GEORGE

Massachusetts Emergency Paid Sick Leave

Thu, 06/10/2021 - 10:59am

Download the Massachusetts Emergency Sick Leave policy as of June 4, 2021.

Union Update

Thu, 06/10/2021 - 10:53am
Dear Brother and Sisters,
 
Teamsters have started the next round for a Successor C.B.A. I pledge to all 127 members I will work as hard and long as it takes to get all Teamster members a well deserved raise Thank you for standing tall during these trying times. Teamsters have worked very hard at adding new jobs.  Please look at Mass.gov for more info on new job opportunities
 
MASSDOT currently has two mechanic position open at M-8 depot working the overnight shift. If you know anyone looking for a job, this would be a good opportunity for  them to apply.  Candidates can go to Mass.gov and search job category.
 
In the near future we have to consider getting back to In person meeting. This is the core of Teamsters, to give all members their say and to be heard.
 
In Solidarity
 
Brother
GEORGE

George E. McGilloway
Secretary-Treasurer/Principal Executive Officer


 

 

Update

Mon, 03/29/2021 - 12:59pm
Return to regular schedule effective April,12.2021. All Highway Maintenance Division will resume their normal schedules.
 
Thank you.
 
In Solidarity,
Brother GEORGE
 

George E. McGilloway
Secretary-Treasurer/Principal Executive Officer
Teamsters Local 127

Union Update

Fri, 12/04/2020 - 10:01am


Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Great news - license reimbursement! You need to contact your district administrator. Take pictures and download all of your licenses and send them to your district for reimbursement for any and all licenses that are “required” in your job title.

Stay safe and well,

Brother GEORGE

George E. McGilloway
Secretary-Treasurer/Principal Executive Officer
Teamsters Local 127

Union Update

Fri, 11/13/2020 - 12:11pm
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
 
The re-class and upgrades have started; This will take some time as you can imagine and it's not an easy task.  When you get your re-class letter and you have questions call Joan Makie and she will be happy to assist; see her #s below  We are still not able to have a General membership Union meeting; as soon as we can we will inform all members. Thank you to all of you for standing tall during these trying times.
 
In Solidarity
 
Brother GEORGE

 

George E. McGilloway
Secretary-Treasurer/Principal Executive Officer
Teamsters Local 127

Union Update

Thu, 09/24/2020 - 11:35am
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
 
Good news is retro pay is finally here.  Thank you so much for your patience and understanding with this long overdue process.
 
Please be advised that we are still waiting on the classifications of every Teamster member.  Call Joan Mackie Director of HR operations, office 857-368-8539, cell# 617-699-3307 and speak with her any questions you may have on retro payments and upgrades.
 
We had an E-board meeting A\and thought it would be prudent to cancel the general membership meetings till the first of the year In light of Covid 19.   As soon as the upgrades and classifications are finished, on to the next round: contract negotiations.  Again, thank you very much for your support.
 
In Solidarity,
 
Brother GEORGE
 

 

George E. McGilloway

Secretary-Treasurer/Principal Executive Officer

Syndicate content