Message from Lou Viani

June 18th, 2007

Brothers and Sisters,

The following is a short note from Lou Viani. Lou is a special group machine operator out of Coquitlam, BC and he was strike captain at the Vancouver Intermodal, one of the most contentious areas where we picketed. With the help of Local 31, we held that facility and the coast, for the duration of the strike. We went through arrests, assault, injunction attempts and threats, as well as all the other hassles of a picket line that were experienced elsewhere in the country.

Last week Lou and a few other members went to the local 31 union hall for a special meeting and he sent me the following re-cap. Thanks, Lou and thanks Local 31, especially President Stan Hennessy, a true Teamster.

In solidarity,

Bill Brehl
President
TCRC MWED


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Dear Bill,

On Wednesday, June 13, 2007, myself and five of our members (Brian Wilson, Rob Marshall, Trevor Marshall, Gurmail Deol and Lucky Grewal) attended the Local 31 union meeting to thank them for all their support. The meeting started at 7:00 p.m. After about 10 minutes President Stan Hennessey came out to invite us in. As we walked through the door we were greeted with a standing ovation. All of us were very overwhelmed as we had come to the meeting to thank the Local 31 for all the support they gave us during the strike. Stan introduced us all, took several pictures and presented us each with a gold keychain with Teamster Local 31 engraved on them. We were then welcomed to join the meeting which ended shortly thereafter. What happened next was unbelievable. All the members came up to us all, shook our hands and told us how proud they were of the way our union stuck together even when the company was arresting our men, and worse. They also said that they were proud that we were Teamsters. Several of their members said to us "we got your backs brother, now and always." We all reciprocated that if they needed us, we would be there for them in return. The feeling that our members and I got from all the Local 31 was that we had proved ourselves and we were family now.

The thing that really hit home was the look in their eyes - you know that they meant every word. I have to say that you, Bill, are responsible for us being Teamsters and that it's the best thing that has ever happened to our members.

Sincerely yours,

Lou Viani
Strike Captain at VIF (Vancouver Intermodal Facility)
Proud member lodge 167