LABOR DAY: THE UNION FAMILY

A Message from Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa

The first national Labor Day was celebrated six days after workers were killed in the Pullman strike of 1894. This Labor Day, we must remember those who were senselessly killed at Hartford Distributors in Connecticut.

On the morning of Aug. 3, 2010, eight innocent people were gunned down in the warehouse of a beer distributorship. Seven of those killed were Teamsters, members of Local 1035 in South Windsor, Conn., and almost all of them were nearing retirement after a lifetime of hard work.

The men who lost their lives at Hartford Distributors had worked there for a combined 125 years: Francis J. Fazio Sr., Craig Pepin, William Ackerman, Bryan Cirigliano, Louis Felder, Victor James, Edwin Kennison Jr. and Douglas Scruton. Theirs are names you probably didn’t know before the tragedy, but they were pillars of their communities.

Brothers and Sisters

Each of these men worked for decades to provide for their families, to make Hartford Distributors a better place and to uphold their community values and institutions. Each of them also deserved a better end. .

The resolve and camaraderie of Local 1035 and the Hartford Distributors workers has been truly inspiring, not just for the 1.4 million members of the Teamsters Union, but for the entire nation. It reminded me, as it should you, that the Teamsters Union is a family. We call each other “brother” and “sister” for a reason.

I’m proud to say that our family has come together for our fallen brothers. Approximately $185,000 poured in from all areas of the country for the Teamsters Local 1035 Hartford Distributors Memorial Fund.

Hard Work and Sacrifice

Labor Day is traditionally the start of the election season, and this Labor Day is no exception. I ask our elected officials – and those who wish to be elected – to remember that we celebrate Labor Day to honor the contributions that working men and women make to the strength and prosperity of America. Unions will never be able to outspend powerful multinationals, but we can deliver votes to lawmakers who will work hard for working Americans.

This Labor Day, I hope all Americans remember that the hard work and sacrifice of working men and women—like our eight slain Teamster brothers—is what makes this country great. And I hope all working men and women remember how much more we can achieve if we speak with one great and powerful voice.

Conway sues FedEx over how it classifies drivers

Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway filed suit Thursday against Federal Express contending that the delivery company misclassifies drivers to avoid paying taxes.

The suit, filed in Franklin Circuit Court claims the company wrongly considers its drivers independent contractors and not employees. Conway contends that the misclassification has denied FedEx drivers workers’ compensation insurance, unemployment insurance and wage-and-hour protections.

The suit asks the court to require FedEx to classify the drivers as employees, rather than independent contractors. The suit also seeks penalties for violations of Kentucky’s unemployment-compensation and consumer-protection statutes, as well as for failure to remit withholding taxes from wages paid to its drivers.

Conway’s office said FedEx has about 500 drivers in Kentucky. It said the suit will seek back payments of at least $10 million going back to 2000. Full Story.....

Jason Leffler Quick Facts - Atlanta Motor Speedway

Jason Leffler Hoping for More Good Fortune in the No. 10… For the seventh time this season, Leffler is jumping into the driver’s seat of Braun Racing’s No. 10 Camry. In his previous six starts with the No. 10 team, Leffler has five top-10 and three top-five finishes, including a second-place finish in his last appearance in the car at Bristol Motor Speedway.

ABF Freight on the Hood … Long-time Braun Racing marketing partner, ABF Freight, will serve as primary sponsor on Leffler’s No. 10 Toyota Camry Saturday night at Atlanta Motor Speedway (AMS). This marks the sixth time this season the ABF will adorn the hood of the No. 10 with Leffler behind the wheel.

Great Clips 300 at Atlanta Motor Speedway… For the first time, Braun Racing marketing partner, Great Clips, will serve as title sponsor of the NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) race this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Minneapolis-based, Great Clips Inc. is the longest-running primary sponsor in the Nationwide Series. They came onto the scene in 2001 as a primary sponsor of Akins Motorsports No. 38 entry, then driven by Christian Elder. Kasey Kahne drove the car from 2003-2005, before Leffler took over the wheel in 2006. This season, Leffler and Kahne share driving duties of the No. 38 Great Clips machine.

Atlanta Motor Speedway: By the Numbers… In five Nationwide Series appearances at the 1.54-mile track, Leffler has two top-10 starts (2003, 2008) and two top-10 finishes (2006, 2008) with two laps led. His average starting position is 20.6 with his average finish being 19.4

Leffler on Atlanta Motor Speedway

“It should be a great race at Atlanta this weekend. It’s one of the fastest tracks we go to, which makes the racing exciting for the drivers and the fans. I’ve always enjoyed going to Atlanta and racing at night always adds a little bit more excitement. We’ve had some really good runs this year in the 10 car. We’ve run in the top-10 in almost every race I’ve been in it and I’m really itching to get a win! Hopefully we can bring one home this weekend for ABF Freight and everyone at Braun Racing.”