"I was a Shop Steward and was also on the contract negotiation team. The Union took the time and trouble to learn all about our industry and what we do. This means they are better able to fight for us whether it is on the job or at the bargaining table. We have the best contract in our industry. Thanks guys!"
Join Us
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
September 29, 2022
As a society, it is important to always look ahead, always trying to make our world a better place whether socially, environmentally, spiritually or what have you.
As commendable as these pursuits can be, it is important to keep an eye on our past as well, as we can learn greatly from where we’ve been to ensure we know how to get to where we’re going. However, some of what we know about, or suspect, about our past is uncomfortable, or even horrifying, but these things can neither be ignored or erased.
For many, many years, society has learned, mostly through oral histories, of contemptible abuses of power and corruption at the hands of our government and religious establishments. I’m talking about the Residential Schools program that was forced upon the Indigenous communities in Canada and elsewhere.
Many people didn’t want to hear about such abuses and doubt was sowed to try to muddle the narrative. That is until recent discoveries revealed mass graves at school sites around the Province and across the Country. Shockingly, society couldn’t ignore the allegations anymore.
In 2021, the Federal Government declared September 30th of each year as a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
We believe this action was an important first step in what will surely be a very long process of healing for our neighbours, friends, families and co-workers.
Acknowledgement of these abuses of our Indigenous citizens, who can express a litany of further abuses in the name of colonialism, “cleansing” and “taming”.
We encourage such dialogue, as it is the only path toward healing, or closure, for the many generations that have been, and continue to be affected. Canada being a multi-cultural Nation, it is truly our wish to see all people, regardless of race, sex, colour or creed, treated with respect and with an eye towards understanding each other.
As a part of our personal acknowledgement, let me state that we at Local 464 recognize that our offices are located in the unceded territory of the Squamish, Musqueam, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.
Please take some time on September 30th to reflect on our shared past and find some empathy within yourself to better understand the effects of these actions on an important and honourable segment of our society.
In Solidarity,
Paul Barton
Secretary-Treasurer
Teamsters Local Union No. 464
News Archive
Testimonial
- Gerald Price - Agrifoods
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
A message from a retiring 464 member:
http://www.teamsters464.org/news/open-letter-my-fellow-union-members#
- Dave S