Legislative Conference Brings Working People Together

856 Political Director Trish Blinstrub, California Teachers' Association Statewide Political Director Sandra Lowe, 856 Steward Noven Feria, and Christopher Brunette from the California Teachers' Association.

856 Political Director Trish Blinstrub, California Teachers’ Association Statewide Political Director Sandra Lowe, 856 Mount Diablo School District Steward Noven Feria, and Christopher Brunette from the California Teachers’ Association at the California Labor Federation’s Legislative Conference on April 13, 2015.

On April 13th and 14th, a contingent of Teamsters 856 members attended the California Labor Federation’s Joint Legislative Conference, themed, “Working People Standing Together”.

The conference was packed with two days of workshops that centered on labor’s legislative agenda, including SB 546, which would require prior approval of healthcare premium increases that exceed specified thresholds charged to large purchasers such as the Teamsters 856 Health and Welfare Trust Fund.

The conference also included speeches from statewide labor friends such as Governor Jerry Brown, Attorney General Kamala Harris, Senate Pro Tem Kevin de Leon, and Speaker of the Assembly Toni Atkins.

On the second day, the California Teamsters Public Affairs legislative breakfast and lobby day brought together California Teamsters to lobby on important Teamster bills. Members talked with the Senate Labor & Industrial Relations Committee Chair Tony Mendoza, Assembly Labor & Employment Committee Chair, and champion for the Teamsters Roger Hernandez about Teamsters-sponsored bills and anti-labor bills that need to be defeated.

Teamsters 856 members also saw many of our Local’s friends, such as Assembly Member Kevin Mullin and Senator Richard Pan, who have been active in helping our members at United Airlines and Delta Dental.