As of January 1, 2009, Phil Echelberger retired from service after serving 16 years as a Trustee to Teamsters Local 289.  I know I speak for everyone wishing him well in his retirement. 

Phil will be replaced by Mike Baker.  Mike is  a route sales representative for Pan-O-Gold Baking out of the St. Cloud area and has been for over 15 years.  Mike has also been a shop steward for the past 4 years.  Since working with Mike for the last 4 years, I know Mike will be a valuable asset to Local 289.

On a sadder note, our Recording-Secretary, Terry Hoye, once again has been called to active duty in Iraq.  This is the second tour for Terry.  Our prayers are with Terry and his family, hoping for his safe return in 2010.  Bruce Barott will once again step into Terry's shoes until his return.

2009 looks to be a challenging year for Local 289, but with the efforts of the Executive Board and the support of the membership, it will become another banner year.

Mike DeBuck, President 

The Employee Free Choice Act overhauls federal law in three major ways:

1) It gives workers, not corporate executives, control over the organizing process

2) It levies real penalties against companies that fire workers for their union activities, retailiate against workers, or otherwise break the law

3) Through mediation (then binding arbitration if necessary), it ensures that workers who form a union actually get a contract

With the passage of the Employee Free Choice Act, it will be the employee who determines their future.  Not the corporate executives, who through intimidation and bullying tactics, stuff their pockets with the work done by the American worker.