• Up to $2,100 from the federal Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit;
• Up to $4,716 from the federal Earned Income Tax Credit; and
• Up to $1,000 per child from the federal Child Tax Credit.

To get these credits, you must file a tax return. Find out where you can get FREE help with your taxes by calling the IRS toll-free at (800) TAX-1040 or (800) 829-1040. Or go to www.irs.gov/individuals/topic

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Report from Houston
By Rachel McKibbin, President
JC-28 Teamsters Women’s Caucus

The 2007 IBT Women’s Conference was held in Houston, Texas on September 6-9th.  Over seven hundred and fifty Teamster Women came to Texas where the first Teamster’s Women’s Conference was held in 1986.  As a member who has attended 6 out of the last 7 conferences I have to say this conference was one of the best! 

The classes educated members on subjects regarding Teamster history, self esteem, time management and fitness to organizing, bargaining and labor laws. 

The General Sessions where highlighted by greetings from General President James P. Hoffa and General Secretary-Treasurer C. Thomas Keegel.  Donna Brazile an American author, educator, and political activist and strategist affiliated with the Democratic Party and the first African-American to direct a major presidential campaign captured us with her enthusiasm and concern about American politics.

Save the date of September 11-14, 2008, to attend the next International Teamsters Women’s Conference in Miami Florida.

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On Saturday, June 16th, participants in Seattle, Washington came together to raise over $1.5 million to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease and we are proud to report that the members of Joint Council No. 28 Teamsters Women’s Caucus contributed to this successful endeavor.

This was the third year the JC-28 Women’s Caucus supported the Puget Sound Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation by participating in the 2007 Komen Puget Sound Race for the Cure.

The JC-28 Teamsters Women’s Caucus collected over $5,600 in donations and joined the 20,000 participants who walked through the streets of Seattle on a very early Saturday morning.

“We were thrilled to meet and reminisce with a retired Local 174 member who had volunteered his time to drive one of the foundation trucks.”, said Local 174 Vice President Mary Stuart-Fairburn.

Teamsters were represented at the race by members from Locals 117, 174, 231, 760 and 763. Local 117 member and JC-28 Women’s Caucus Co-Captain Diana McDowell, said; “I can think of no better way to spend my Saturday morning than with my Teamster Sisters and Brothers and to know we are making a difference in the fight against breast cancer. It is so inspirational to walk the Survivors of breast cancer and with the families who are walking in memory of a loved one they have lost.”

JC-28 Women’s Caucus President Rachel McKibbin thanked the Local Unions for their generous donations and commended all the members who donated, even those who didn’t actually participate in the walk but “Slept in for the Cure”.

The contributions allow the Foundation to fund cutting edge research to find a cure for breast cancer as well as provide much-needed screening, support, and education services to underserved women in Puget Sound communities. This is another example of Teamsters stepping forward to make certain their fellow members and their communities live secure and prosperous lives.

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JOIN THE JOINT COUNCIL NO. 28 TEAMSTERS WOMEN’S CAUCUS

The Caucus membership consists of many different people from the Teamster ranks including; Rank and File Members, Local Union Officers, Local Union Staff, Retirees and Spouses of Teamster Members.  Annual membership is only twelve dollar ($12.00 per year).

RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP - If you are already a member and have not renewed your JC28TWC membership for the 2007-year, now is the time. Please take this opportunity to join as a first-time member or renew your membership to support the JC28 Teamsters Women’s Caucus.     Download the Membership Application here!

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A WOMAN’S PLACE IS IN HER UNION!
WANT TO BEAT THE WAGE GAP? – JOIN A UNION!

By Marla McKibbin, JC 28 Retiree
The wage gap is a statistical indicator often used as an index of the status of women’s earnings relative to men’s. The wage gap is expressed as a percentage and figures just released show that the difference between women’s and men’s earnings have not changed--about 77 cents for every dollar.

In King County the figures are worse. Men’s median salaries increased from about $52,000 to about $55,000, while women’s salaries remained constant at about $41,000, according to the Census Bureau. In other words, women only earned 74 cents for every dollar a man earned and lost ground in closing the wage gap.

The Equal Pay Act was signed in 1963, making it illegal for employers to pay unequal wages to men and women who hold the same job and do the same work. By 2004, that wage rate had improved by less than half a penny a year, with minority women faring the worst. The wage gap between women and men cuts across a wide spectrum of occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in 2004 female physicians and surgeons earned 52.2% of the median weekly wages of male physicians, and women in sales occupations earned just 62.1% of men’s wages in equivalent positions.

A National Women’s Law Center study found that if working women earned the same as men (those who work the same number of hours; have the same education; age and union status; and live in the same region of the country) their annual family incomes would rise by $4,000 and poverty rates would be cut in half.

As a Teamster member we have a factor on our side that most workers don’t have. With a collective bargaining agreement negotiated by a LABOR UNION, women and minorities can be assured that they will be earning the same wages and have the same health and pension benefits as all other employees within the same classification.

The government hasn’t made it happen; passing a federal law (The Equal Pay Act) didn’t work and Big Business executives only want to line their pockets. So who does look out for the workers? LABOR UNIONS.

Labor Unions may just be the last stand in making an equal playing field for women and minorities at work. As Teamster members we must continue to participate in the Union to keep it strong and also spread the word to non-union workers and so that we can close that wage gap for good.

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2006 Komen Puget Sound Race for the Cure On June 17th, participants in Seattle, Washington came together to raise over $1.5 million to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease and we are proud to report that the members of Joint Council No. 28 Teamsters Women’s Caucus contributed to this successful endeavor. This was the second year the JC-28 Women’s Caucus supported the Puget Sound Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation by participating in the 2006 Komen Puget Sound Race for the Cure. The JC-28 Teamsters Women’s Caucus collected over $4,500 in donations and joined the 15,000 participants who walked through the streets of Seattle on a very early Saturday morning. We were proud to have breast cancer survivor Patricia Lambert (mother of Teamster Local 763 member Jason Powell) join us with her husband, son and grandson. Teamsters Local 252 member Toni Keller who walked with her daughter, said; “It was a great awesome experience, it was so touching to see the breast cancer survivors acknowledged and walk with us. I would love to do it again.” The contributions allow the Foundation to fund cutting edge research to find a cure for breast cancer as well as provide much-needed screening, support, and education services to underserved women in Puget Sound communities. Another example of Teamsters stepping forward to make certain their fellow members and their communities live secure and prosperous lives. Back to top of page

The vote results for the position of President are as follows:  Fifty-six (56) ballots were returned and one (1) was voided; Rachel McKibbin received 47 votes and Katharine Wren received 08 votes.  Below is a list of the newly elected JC28-TWC Executive Board; the term of office will be for two (2) years and commence January 01, 2008.

• President, Rachel McKibbin
• East Vice President, Mary Faragher
• Western Vice President, Mary Stuart-Fairburn
• Secretary-Treasurer, Paula Bennett
• Recording Secretary, Evie Gradilla
• Trustee, Annette Cobb
• Trustee, Norma Wier

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Thanks to all the JC 28 Women's Caucus members who assisted Local 763 on the Highline School District Organizing campaign!

Left to Right: Local #231's Paula Bennett, Local #763's Evie Gardilla, Local #117's Diana McDowell, Local #839's Mary Faragher, Local #839's Norma Wier, Local #839's Cheryl Irwin, IBT's Sonia De La Cruz, IBT's Linn Nguyen, Local #231's Rachel McKibbin (on floor).

Not shown, JC28's Doug Henderson, L174's Mary Stuart-Fairburn.

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