The news the last couple of weeks is not good. Lot’s of negative things going on in the news and few positives.  So let’s get to the bad news first. 

• Here’s something new, gas prices are expected to go up in the next couple of weeks.  The national average cost per gallon is expected to reach $3.40.  That average to day is $2.96

• The Teamsters signed a new 5 year agreement that covers 50,000 drivers who work for YRC’s Yellow Transportation, Roadway, and regional carriers USF Holland and New Penn.  Another 20,000 workers in the industry are also covered by the new contract including 1,700 members of Teamsters Local 41 here in the area.  The contract gives the Teamsters more security and decent pay raises.  Over the 5 years the Teamsters will realize $2.20 hourly wage gains as well as 5.5 cents per mile for long-haul drivers.  In addition YRC will increase it’s benefits contributions by a total of $5.00.

• UAW Local #710 lost its organizing drive at the Argosy Casino and might have ruffled some labor feathers while they were at it.  Apparently the organizing attempt was being criticized by the Seafarers Union who represents nearly 500 employees of the Argosy.  The Seafarers Union feels that this was an infringement into their territory.  The UAW is not a member of the AFL-CIO here in Kansas City or at the State level so there is no disciplinary action that the Seafarers can take.  As I have always said, there is nothing worse for the labor movement than going after one another.

• The Missouri State Building Trades has announced that they will hold their Rights To Jobs Rally in Jefferson City on April 22, 2008. From 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM.  Each local union in the Kansas City Building Trades is expected to fill a 50 passenger bus while smaller locals can share a bus.  Over 3,000 trade unionists attended this event last year at our states capitol.  It is a great opportunity for rank and file members to meet the men and women responsible for making up the laws of the state of Missouri. For more information contact your local union.

• On a disappointing note, Gerald Randall who has been the Democratic Clay County Election Commissioner for the past several years was removed from that position by a recent phone call from the Governors office.  Gerald’s term expired nearly 7 months and he was expecting the call.  Still a disappointment for the Democrats of Clay county who were lucky to have such a passionate caretaker of the election process in Gerald “Red” Randall.

• Don’t forget that May 10th (A Saturday) is the annual Letter Carriers Food Drive.  Leave some canned goods with your mail on that day.  The food drive is entering its 16th year and is attempting to surpass last years total of 70.7 million pounds of food. The Letter Carriers have delivered over 70 million pounds of food to community food banks, pantries and shelters in each of the past four years.

·      OK if you are sick and tired of the Kansas City Missouri School Board and want to see real changes now is the time to speak or forever hold your peace. Take the time and make real change. Run for a spot on the Kansas City Missouri School Board. You want to see changes? Help make those changes by running for the seat in your district.  For more information call the Greater Kansas City AFL-CIO at 816-221-6163.

Condolences go out to retired AFL-CIO member Harold Cullum who recently lost his daughter.  Harold was a former Meat Cutter and headed up the Kansas City AFL-CIO Retirees for many years.  Harold is a good man and we all wish him our deepest sympathies.

Randy Kiser, AFL-CIO Missouri representative informed me that Paycheck Deception is back on in Missouri.  “We got word that the paycheck deception initiative has been refilled with the Secretary of States office.  It will take the Secretary of States office about 30 to 40 days to approve the papers and check the wording before this group can begin collecting signatures to get the initiative on the ballot.  These signatures have to be in the Secretary of States office by May 4th.