It's Official:
Local 490 and 315 Merge
Dale Robbins and Carlos Borba
Local 315 Secretary Treasurer Dale Robbins said he is extremely pleased to report that after several months of meetings and diligent negotiations the Executive Boards of Teamsters Local 490 in Napa and Solano Counties and Teamsters Local 315 approved a merger agreement that would merge Local 490 into Local 315. On June 6 by a secret ballot vote the membership of Local 490 Voted overwhelmingly to approve the merger. Both Locals were informed on June 18 by letter from IBT General Secretary-Treasurer Tom Keegel, the IBT General Executive Board has approved our merger. The effective date of the merger is July 1, 2008.
Local 490 Secretary-Treasurer Carlos Borba said “unlike many mergers this one was not necessitated or driven by any financial difficulties whatsoever. Local 490 is in a very sound financial position, we have respective assets, we own our building, and have many of the same employers and industries as Local 315”. Carlos also said “we have explored the possibility of merging with 315 for many years, this is a good fit, it makes sense, and in looking to the future I believe it was in the best interest of both Locals to take advantage of the opportunity now. Our Executive Board had to make some individual sacrifices and to the credit of our membership they also saw the benefits of the merger. I’m excited and believe together we can do some good things.”
Local 315 Secretary Treasurer Dale Robbins said “we plan to keep the 490 offices in Vallejo open and initially members should see very little change as a result of the merger. There will be a transition period where there could be a few unexpected bumps and I ask for your understanding and cooperation until we smooth everything out. There will be consolidation of office procedures, bookkeeping and certain overhead and administrative duties that will no longer be necessary to duplicate. The big change is we will be a Local of over 5,000 members. With the combined assets and resources, we will be bigger and stronger and more capable of protecting member’s jobs, providing more job opportunities and getting you the best possible contract that you deserve.” Robbins also said “one of the main considerations of both Locals was the merger would create more efficiency and enables us to provide more services and representation to our membership while at the same time establish an even more aggressive organizing program. Local 490 and 315 have always worked close and in cooperation with one another and I look forward to the partnership we will begin.”
To make the merger work it required some sacrifices from the current Executive Board members of both Locals. Local 490 Secretary-Treasurer Carlos Borba will become the President of Local 315. Local 315 President Jim Sveum and Local 490 President Frank Coppa are both stepping down from the Board and will serve as Business Agents along with John Bottali, Don E. Garcia, Doak Jones, and Mario Martinez. Rounding out the new Local 315 Executive Board will be Vice President Mario Martinez, Recording Secretary Don E. Garcia and Trustees Dan Cahill, Robert Cross and James Francis. Additionally E Board members of both locals that also agreed to step down will serve on a newly created advisory board. In addition to Sveum and Coppa are Kim Fong, Howard King, Mike Morales and Jim Waters.
