Over 500 Teamsters and their families spent a sunny Northern California Saturday at the biggest and best (and last) Rome Aloise for VP At-Large rally to date.
“From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank everybody that’s here,” said Rome Aloise to the crowd, “... this is a great, great turnout.”
The large crowd enjoyed meeting old friends, making new ones, sharing great food, cold drinks, live music and a raffle with the top prize being $10,000. The mood was celebratory ... but Rome’s message was dead serious.
“There’s an attack on all of us.” Rome said. “We’re getting beat up by these politicians that are out there ... (they want) to give more money to the rich and take money out of your pockets, and we’re not going to let that happen.”
Rome set the record straight concerning President Hoffa’s recent remarks that dominated the media recently.
Northern California Teamsters, led by International Vice President Rome Aloise, stood amid a virtual sea of red and black United Farmworker flags in support of marchers who arrived in Sacramento on September 5, 2011 after an exhausting 200-mile trek from the Central Valley. The march, aimed at bringing attention to farmworker issues, was supported along the way by Joint Council 7 Locals including Local 439 (delivering food and drink with their truck) and Local 601 (providing food, water and a place to sleep and hold Mass). Rome addressed the marchers saying, in part, “...we support your fights. We will go to no ends to help you and ... be here with you every step of the way. We will not allow farmworkers -- or any other workers -- to be used like you have been used ... we can’t let you die in the fields ... the Teamsters Union is committed to you. We are there for you. Will fight for you.”
Just a week after winning a vast majority of delegate votes at the Teamsters 28th International Convention in Las Vegas, the Hoffa/Hall Campaign could have just “kicked back” and enjoyed the victory. But, in Northern California, the campaign seized the opportunity to build on that momentum by holding a much less “glitzy” (yet, no less important) Family Picnic & BBQ at McNear Park in Petaluma, California.
Warm weather and great food were enjoyed by Teamster families (mostly from Locals 624 and 853) under the towering trees in this “Victorian” section of Petaluma, allowing attendees to see old friends, meet new ones and talk one-on-one with Vice President At-Large candidate on the Hoffa/Hall Slate, Rome Aloise.
A great time was had by all. Teamster children romped freely in the sunshine, spending much of their time (and energy) in a giant inflatable jumping structure while others - including a few hearty adults - donned “Sumo” wrestling gear and challenged each other in friendly and hilarious wrestling matches.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters 28th Convention has adjourned and the 1600-plus elected delegates from the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico have spoken; overwhelmingly, they said General President James P. Hoffa and his entire slate should lead this great union for the next five years and Vice President At-Large candidate Rome Aloise should be a vital part of that leadership.
In a democratic, secret ballot vote, Rome garnered an impressive 1,398 votes (out of 1,629), putting him at the top of a 14-candidate list for just seven Vice President At-Large spots. While Rome amassed the most votes, fellow Hoffa/Hall Slate candidates dominated the next six spots. In contrast, the barely visible Fred Gegare Slate could only eek out a disappointing 243 votes for their top vote-getter (TDU-backed Presidential hopeful, Sandy Pope, did not have a slate).
Only Active I.B.T. members may contribute to the campaign. Employers, representatives of any employer, unions, charitable organizations, trusts, foundations or other similar entities may not contribute any money, goods, services or facilities to the campaign. Members may not contribute more than $2,000.00 (two thousand dollars) total to the campaign.
About 853
Located in the San Francisco Bay Area of Northern California, Teamsters Local 853 represents over 11,000 members in Northern California. Members work in diverse industries, including newspapers, construction, and warehousing.
Joint Council 7
Teamsters Joint Council 7 is composed of Teamsters Local 70, 87, 137, 150, 287, 315, 350, 386, 431, 439, 517, 533, 601, 624, 665, 853, 856, 890, 896, 912, 948 and 2785. Located in San Francisco and Modesto, Teamsters Joint Council 7 serves over 100,000 members throughout California.
Intl Brotherhood
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters was founded in 1903. The Teamsters represents 1.4 million Members across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. The union is organized under 21 Industrial Divisions that include virtually every occupation imaginable.
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