Back To School Rally

Crisis Counseling

For Immediate Release - July 25, 2008

Project Recovery Iowa is a Crisis Counseling outreach grant funded by FEMA. Abbe Center for Community Mental Health is the lead agency for Linn, Benton and Jones counties. Crisis counselors will be contacting area individuals, families and businesses as well as neighborhood associations in an effort to see if anyone is in need of mental health assistance or referrals to other resources. Information regarding counseling or mental health resources in the area is available anonymously through the Iowa Concern Hotline at 1-800-447-1985; United Way 211 assistance or Abbe Center at 398-3562.

Teamsters Commend Senate For Moving on High Fuel Costs

For Immediate Release - July 16, 2008

(Washington) - The Teamsters on Wednesday applauded the Senate leadership for moving forward on legislation to crack down on greedy oil speculation that contributes to rising fuel prices.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., sponsored the Stop Excessive Speculation Act, which limits the unrestrained speculation that contributes to rising fuel prices.

"These fuel prices are a disaster for Teamsters and their families," said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa. "People are feeling the bite every time they fill their gas tank or buy groceries. Their employers are struggling to cope with these high costs, whether they're delivery companies, freight haulers, school districts or airlines.

"I'm grateful that Sen. Reid understands how badly American workers are hurting, and that he's doing something about it before Congress goes to recess," Hoffa said.

Teamsters Airline Division Director Capt. David Bourne said airline workers are particularly hard hit by the high cost of oil.

"Airlines will simply shut down if oil were to stay above $140 a barrel," Bourne said. "We have 40,000 airline and aviation employees, and they're worried about their jobs."

The bill, S.3268, brings common-sense regulation to the unregulated energy futures market.

It would make the over-the-counter markets subject to transparency requirements and make sure that no one can control the market.

The bill was also sponsored by Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Byron Dorgan, D-N.D.

Founded in 1903 the Teamsters represent 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

Waterloo Office Pictures - Updated

For Immediate Release - July 7, 2008

Thanks to Our Volunteers!

We have had many volunteers helping with numerous jobs from driving trucks with supplies, helping at the warehouse, unloading supplies, the list goes on and on! Thank you to everyone and we are sorry we don't have pictures of all our volunteers but they are all greatly appreciated!

Gary Dunham - Secretary-Treasurer, Kurt Knutsen, Bob, Knutsent, Roy Gillespie, Blake Mohasci

Steve Knight

Volunteers delivering supplies from Buddha Temple out of Chicago.

Jack Perron

Gary Dunham, James out of Local 406, Gary Mika

Flood 2008 Pictures

Member Disaster Assistance

TEAMSTERS
CHANGE TO WIN

June 24, 2008

Dear Labor Leader:

We all know by now the widespread devastation the recent flooding has caused and many of our union members have been affected. To help with their disaster-caused needs, Change To Win/AFL-CIO Labor Liaison to the Red Cross, Verne Wagner has been assigned to assist any of our members who have been affected and are in need of services.

We need your help in identifying your members!

Encourage members to call BOTH the toll free 1-800-RED-CROSS Hotline.
They will speak with a Red Cross worker to help meet their individual needs.
On the 'Safe and Well' site individual members can also register their names or people they are looking for here. Unions can also put their contact information on here for members also. https://disastersafe.redcross.org/
And the FEMA hotline 1-800-621-3362 for Federal Disaster Assistance.

If you have members in the affected area that need assistance
PLEASE FORWARD THE FOLLOWING MEMBER INFORMATION TO:

LABOR LIAISON - Verne Wagner
EMAIL: dr769-08ps-ll-mn@usa.redcross.org ATTN: "YOUR STATE/LOCAL # HERE"

NAME_____________________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS (of affected home)___________________________________________________________

WORK PHONE_______________________________ HOME PHONE ____________________________

LOCAL UNION _________________________________ PHONE #______________________________

LOCAL UNION CONTACT _______________________________________________________________

DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE

The Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) program provides unemployment benefits and re-employment services to individuals who have become unemployed because of a Presidentially declared major disaster. The Department of Labor has been delegated the authority to administer the program, for which FEMA is responsible, under Section 410 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Public Law 93-288 as amended).

The 30-day application period begins with the first day following the date of the public announcement of DUA availability, which the State Employment Security Agency (SESA) is required to advertise (in coordination with FEMA's Public Information Officer) soon after the President has declared a major disaster in a State.

The DUA benefit period begins with the week (as defined in State law) following the disaster incident or date thereafter that the individual became unemployed and can extend up to 26 weeks after the date of declaration or until the individual becomes re-employed, whichever is earlier. The DUA benefit amount may not exceed the maximum weekly amount authorized under the unemployment compensastion law of the State in which the disaster occurred. DUA shall not be paid to an individual, who receives regular unemployment compensation, or private income protection insurance compensation unless that person's other program eligibility expires and weeks of unemployment continue in the disaster assistance period. DUA will then be paid those individuals at the same weekly benefit rate they were receiving under the other compensation program.

All unemployed individuals must register with the State's SESA before they can receive DUA benefits. However, although most States have a provision that an individual must be able and available to accept employment opportunities comparable to the employment the individual held before the disaster, not all States require an individual to search for work.

Re-employment services are provided by the State under other laws. If other laws do not meet the needs of victims, FEMA may authorize and reimburse DOL or other organization to provide re-employment assistance as necessary.

EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS

FEMA - THE DISASTER ASSISTANCE PROCESS FOR INDIVIDUALSResource: http://www.fema.gov/about/process

Call to Apply for Assistance 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)

For use ONLY by people in designated federal disaster areas.
Be prepared to give your Social Security number, describe your losses, provide financial information, and give directions to the damaged property.

The information you provide is put into the computer

You are now in the system
The recovery process begins

Call us if you have Questions 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)

Refer to the application number the registrars gave you when you applied.

Making an optional visit to a Disaster Recover Center to receive more information after you have registered by phone

Here you will find local, state, federal, and voluntary agencies that may be able to assist you.

Inspector will call to schedule an appointment.

There is NO FEE for the inspection.
Inspectors will set up an appointment to visit your property within a few days of application.
Inspectors are contractors; they are not FEMA employees, but they will have FEMA ID.

Inspector will visit damaged property.

Be present for your scheduled appointment.
They will inspect the damage, verify ownership and occupancy, and make a report. Inspectors do not determine eligibility.
If eligible, you will receive a housing assistance check within 7-10 days.

If eligible, housing assistance check will arrive.

Money may be spent for housing needs.

Packet will arrive in mail.

There may be an SBA application enclosed.
You MUST fill out and return this to be eligible for any further assistance.
Refer to SBA home page for more information. (www.sba.gov/disaster/)

To reduce future loss, consider taking steps to rebuild safer and smarter.

Take measures to reduce losses in the future.
Encourage community to participate in National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Consider buying flood insurance.

Call the FEMA Fraud Hotline if you suspect someone is filing false damage claims.

1-800-323-8603
Make sure disaster aid goes to those who deserve it.

It is a violation of Federal law to file a false claim

Recovery Centers To Close

For Immediate Release - June 17, 2008

More information on Iowa Sever Storms and Flooding

Cedar Rapids, Iowa - If you were adversely affected by the June floods and wish to meet with Recovery Specialists to discuss assistance, there are only a few days left to visit a Disaster Recovery Center. State and federal officials have announced that all five Disaster Recovery Centers will close at 2p.m. Saturday, July 13.

Through 2p.m., July 13, residents of the 21 declared counties can get answers to questions and check on the status of their applications at the Disaster Recovery Centers located at the following locations:

Clinton County - Charlotte Community Center, 115 - 1st Street, Charlotte, Iowa

Dubuque County - Old Library Room, City Hall Building, 338 - 1st Ave. East, Dyersville, Iowa

Jones County - Soldier's Memorial/American Legion Hall, 226 East 1st St., Monticello, Iowa

Linn County - Four Oaks Inter-Generational Center, (formerly St. Mark's Lutheran Church), 2100 - 1st Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Scott County - Scott County Community College, 500 Belmont Road, Student Life Center, Rm. 2300-E, Parking Lot C, Entrance Door 4, Bettendorf, Iowa

Although the centers are closing, help is still as close as your phone. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) maintains a toll-free disaster phone line. To register, call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or for hearing- or speech-impaired, (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Anyone with questions about FEMA programs, or to check the status of their application may call. The telephone numbers are operational from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., CDT, seven days a week until further notice.

Since June 19 federal disaster declaration, 1,319 residents have registered for disaster assistance, and $2,538,883,30 in assistance has been approved as of July 10.

Disaster assistance programs include housing assistance, grants for serious needs and necessary expenses not covered by insurance or other programs, and low-interest loans from U.S. Small Business Administration for flood-damaged residential and business property. Disaster unemployment assistance, and other special services also are available to persons affected by the disaster.

International Assistance

For Immediate Release - June 23, 2008

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters has sent Roy Gillespie, International Disaster/Human Rights to help with the flood disaster. Roy will be assessing the damage and preparing for the assistance that will be needed here in Iowa for our fellow Teamsters.

Waterloo Office is Closed

For Immediate Release - June 13, 2008

From: Gary G. Dunham, Secretary-Treasurer
Teamsters Local 238

Notice to our members represented by Teamster Local 238 in and out of the Waterloo office. Due to the floods in Waterloo our office will be closed because of the amount of flood damage that has occured. Your Business Agents can be contacted by their cell phones for assistance, or contact our main office in Cedar Rapids. The numbers are listed below for the Business Agents out of Waterloo and our Cedar Rapids Office.

Cedar Rapids Office - 319-365-1461 or 1-800-247-4007

Kevin McCombs - 319-231-9695
Jim Tuecke - 319-361-9018
Dave Miller - 319-231-5752

Disaster Alert Notice

DISASTER ALERT NOTICEFEMA - 1763 - DR - IOWA

DESCRIPTION OF DISASTER

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has declared a major disaster for the state of IOWA opening the way for the use of federal disaster funds for people affected by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that occured on May 25, 2008 and continuing. Assistance is available to individuals and households in the following counties who may have experienced a loss due to this disaster:

Adams, Benton, Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Cedar, Cerro Gordo, Delaware, Fayette, Floyd, Hardin, Johnson, Jones, Linn, Louisa, Marion, Muscatine, Page, Polk, Story
Tama, Union and Winneshiek County

Teamster members, please contact your Local Union office if you have suffered losses due to the severe storms, flooding and tornadoes; fill out a "Request For Help" form (include all requested documentation) if you would like to request a grant from the Teamster Disaster Relief Fund.

DISASTER RELIEF FORMS MUST BE RETURNED TO THE
TEAMSTERS DISASTER RELIEF FUND BY
TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2008

REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE FORM (PDF)