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The Teamsters and Variety – A Long Lasting Friendship

BC’s Teamsters have been associated with Variety almost since its inception.  Starting in 1966, the Teamsters Union began providing volunteers from within its membership to support Variety’s Show of Hearts Telethon in many ways.  

Back in the early days that may have meant helping to carry children and their wheelchairs up and down the stairs backstage of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, or ensuring the local band trying to find the stage in the wee hours of the morning didn’t end up getting locked outside because they were about to use the rear exit door.

Today, over 100 Teamster members and their families volunteer annually to help this amazing charity during telethon weekend.  Also, Variety – the Children’s Charity is the charity of choice for BC Teamsters, with Teamsters Joint Council 36 raising money through its annual Golf Tournament and other endeavours.  Teamsters Joint Council No. 36 donated more than $10,000 for this worthy cause in 2016. 


http://www.variety.bc.ca/

Testimonial

"I have been a member of Teamsters Local 464 for 23 years and have seen many of the executives come and go. Some of the previous executives nearly ran the Local into bankruptcy including losing our pension.  Bobby Kornhass, Bob Ryder and Paul Barton brought us back from the brink. Since they took over in 2000, we at Dairyland (Saputo) have had the best contracts I have seen since I have been there."

- Randy Onyschak

For 35 years I have been a Teamster and a Dairyworker, I was a young kid needing a job in tough economic times. I found a place to work and make a living, I learned to work together with others having varying and different backgrounds than my own.

Much has changed for me personally and professionally, I got married to my beautiful wife of almost 25 years and we have raised two amazing children, both of whom are presently studying abroad. Both of my children were recipients of Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Funding.

So much of my success I can credit to having a well paying union job. The Teamsters have been a great union for me, negotiating strong collective agreements that held good wage and benefit packages as well as the cornerstone beliefs of seniority and workers’ rights. The Teamsters gave me a good wage and a voice.

I have always been an active Teamster, and now I sit on Local 464's Executive Board.

There can be a great degree of personal feelings when the word union is mentioned, but so often I look at professional associations and realize the name may be different, but the thought is the same...strength in numbers.

As I get toward the end of my career, I look forward to the thought of receiving the Teamsters Canada Pension Plan, and I am so grateful for the belief others had before me that Teamsters deserved a good and decent retirement...thank you.

Drew


- Drew Speirs

“They have demonstrated the dedication and leadership that
our Local requires. They have always provided sound counsel, support, and frank
discussion on matters involving the members, contract negotiations and our
Local.“ 

- Bruce Tillapaugh –Shop Steward. Island Farms, Victoria