Another Questionnaire. This has been an education for me because I have never been in a union and have not really studied the issue. What's funny is I've been filling these out without any idea of what an endorsement really means. My name isn't just put on a list. Endorsement for many of these organizations means they are actually going to help you get into office.
I'm a longshot candidate so I doubt I'll be seeing any of these organizations expending their political muscle on me.
Missouri Teamsters are comprised of more than 40,000 active working men and women and their families in 14 locals unions across the state. We have over 25,oo retired members and their families. Our members work in areas of freight distribution,car-haul, heavy highway construction, wholesale and retail food distribution, small parcel and package delivery, brewery and soda manufacturing, school bus drivers, and many of Missouri's transportation industries. We are the men and women who drive your children to school, deliver fresh milk and bread to your grocers, carry your business' and family's packages with care,and keep your refreshments cold. Our members help make Missouri's employers-including Yellow Freight, Hiland Dairy, UPS, Ozarks Coca-Cola,Roadway, Wonder Bread, Associated Grocers, Saralee, Archimca, and Conco Ready-Mix- strong and profitable.
Please let our members know about you and your views on the following issues.
1.Please give a brief biographical summary of yourself.
I am a stay at home dad and webcartoonist. Most of my work experience has been in family owned print shops (mostly my own family)
2. Have you ever run for political office before? If so, please explain any political history.
Yes, I ran for US House as a member of the Green Party.
3. Are you or have you ever been a member of Labor Union?
No
4. Do you want Teamster endorsement? If so, why?
Yes, I'd like to reach as many voters as possible.
5. If you receive Teamster endorsement, do you feel that it will help or hurt your chances of being elected?
It would help give my campaign visibility and credibility.
6. Explain why you are seeking this office.
I have a different take on politics so I think my voice will force a change in the reflexive bickering.
7. Do you plan to have your campaign literature printed in Union print shops?
Local small business is my priority (when I can afford it)
8. What other political endorsements have you received?
I'm relatively unknown
9. Are you active in any political party organizations?
Occasionally I go to meetings of local Democrat groups.
10. Do you support or oppose "Right-to-work" legislation which eliminates unions' right to a "closed shop"? Will you work actively to enforce your position?
I have mixed feelings because I would like owners to run their business as they see fit but until workers are given a negotiating mechanism other than unions I oppose.
11. Would you support legislation supporting the collective bargaining rights for any or all of Missouri's public employees? Which groups of employees should be allowed to enter into those agreements, in your opinion?
I support collective bargaining as a negotiating mechanism for workers.
12. Would you support or oppose legislation that provided for the collection of service fees from state employees?
I don't like the idea of forcing someone to pay dues so it would depend on specifics.
13.Would you vote for final and binding interest arbitration to settle disputes arising from contract/work agreement negotiations?
No. I don't trust the arbitration process.
14. Would you vote to arbrotrate, break or alter an agreement between a political entity and a union representing employees working for a political entity? This could include the state, your city, county, school board etc.
Contracts should be altered only with both parties agreeing.
15. What is your attitude toward comprehensive health care?
Hospitals are price gouging and insurance has stopped resisting. The current business model pits both sides against the consumer.
16. What is your opinion regarding union dues check off for public employees? (Chuck off refers to union dues being automatically deducted from payroll checks.)
I don't know why this option is under debate.
17. Would you support or oppose a state law or local ordinance prohibiting the hiring of permanent replacement workers who exercise their legal right to strike?
I support it. Though I am open to some form of control because the owner should have negotiating power as well.
18. What is your attitude toward minimum wage?
Necessary evil.
19. Would you support or oppose efforts to alter the Prevailing Wage Statutes that would impact the building trades unions? Possible legislation would include projects of a certain size, or in certain counties.
I am for them as long as they are reasonable. Someone shouldn't be paid a full salary if they are not working.
20. In regard towards workmen's compensation, will you work to overturn the changes in the Missouri Worker's Compensation law that was passed and signed into law in 2005? Would you support second opinions for workers injured on the job at a physician of the worker's choice?
I'll work to overturn anything that goes too far. Some sort of randomly selected doctor would be better than one biased to the worker.
21. Many Teamster members work in difficult and dangerous industries where repetive motion ofen leads to disabilities. For example, a UPS drive who lifs packages for years may develop a degenerative back disability. A warehouse worker or assembly line worker who, as part of work, repeatedly reaches and swipes could develop wrist or elbow related injuries. Often times a single accident did not cause the disability. Rather, it was incurred over time after years of service to a company.
Under legislation passed by the Missouri General Assembly, worker's compensation for degenerative back injuries, repetitive injuries and other injuries incurred ove the life of a job would be eleiminated. What is your position on legislation that would change the definition of accident or require an injury or occupational disease to be compensated only if an accident or occupational exposure was the dominant factor in causing the condition or disability? Do you believe injuries caused by repetitive motion should be covered under worker's compensation?
I would support legislation going forward but hesitant to holding employers responsible for damage accumulated before the bill is passed. Wording of the bill would have to be very carefully phrased.
22. In regards toward unemployment compensation, would you support increases based on annual COLA figures?
Yes
23. Benefit payments from the State's Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund are expected to exceed revenues, leading to the Fund's insolvency. If insolvency occurs, state officials will borrow money from the federal government to keep paying benefits. Which solution to this problem do you prefer: increase the burden on claimants and raise the standard for receiving unemployment benefits OR increase the unemployment tax on some or all employers?
The Republican House is never going to consider a tax increase. Split the difference or some other solution would be needed.
24.What is your attitude toward domestic content legislation (use or purchase of Missouri or American made goods over those of foreign competition)?
I think if our rights are being taken away at the airport over terrorism then all those crates from overseas should be charged to be inspected.
25.What is your attitude toward "right to know" legislation (the right of workers to be informed of any dangers or special procedures when handling chemicals, toxins, etc.)?
Employees must know in order to ensure proper compensation (lets them know if the money is worth the risk),
26. Would you work with organized labor before proposing or supporting any tax package?
I'll work with anyone willing to have an honest discussion.
27. Please describe any instances in the past where you've taken a proactive stance in support of organized labor or teamster issues.
N/A
28. In the realm of public/private partnership where tax subsidies, utility cost reductions, or other such employer subsidies are involved, would you support requirements for paid health care for workers, a good wage level, etc., before such subsidies are granted?
Yes I believe that if corporate welfare is unavoidable there should be a higher expectations of altruism and/or tax payer dividends.
29. Do you support or oppose so called "Paycheck Protection" legislation reuiring written permission from members before using Union or PAC Fund resources for political activities? Would you support or oppose this legislation if it included language limiting corporate contributions as well?
I could see a vote amongst members but this seems to be a ploy to hurt Democratic candidates.
30. PLA's are negotiated with building and construction trade unions and cover all contractors and their employees for the duration of the project. They are primarily used on large, private or public works projects since their costs are so great. Do you support or oppose Project Labor Agreements?
I have no problem with PLA's though I only have a surface understanding of how the work.
31. What would you do to help the Teamsters and organized labor grow in the State of Missouri? Examples would be active support in organizing campaigns, walking a picket line, legislative support, etc.
All of the above for big issues.
32. According to the Missouri Department of Economic Development, Missouri's Hispanic population grew by a staggering 92%? In the last 10 years. Some of these persons will obtain jobs in Missouri's Transportation industry.
Recently, legislation was introduced in the Missouri General Assembly that changed the definition of "state" to include a state of the United States and the District of Colombian, but excluded Puerto Ric, Mexico, and any province of Canada. Because Mexico and Canada are no longer included in the definition of "state", an international driver with a license revocation history in Mexico is not required to disclose such information to the State of Missouri.
What is your position on legislation to require all applicants for commercial drivers licenses regardless of nationality to have the same background checks and examinations as domestic drivers prior to receiving a Missouri CDL?
I am against giving employers incentives to hire non Missouri residents.
33. Because the United States does not have nationwide automated system for monitoring the safety history or violation records of Mexican companies and drivers, or a system to verify drivers' licenses or drug testing for drivers, it is difficult for Missouri law enforcement personel to obtain essential safety data on Mexican Drivers. In addition, Mexico does not have labeling of hazardous or toxic cargo which poses a clear and present danger to the security of the State of Missouri if trucks transporting such cargo enter territory of the state without prior inspection at the border of the United States.
Do you support efforts by Teamsters at the state level to restrict trucks from Mexico and other foreign nations from entering the United States until there is full compliance by owners and drivers of those trucks with all U.S. highway safety, environmental, and drug enforcement laws?
Yes, though I don't care if people get high off the clock.
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