Today is Friday, September 29, 2006- Good Morning from Denver, Colorado ATU Latino Caucus President Jose Guerrero calls the Conference to order at 9:15am. Pledge of Allegiance, Canadian Anthem Recording Secretary Yvette Salazar Introducing Phillip Washington from the Regional Transportation  District. Phil welcomes everyone to Denver, letting the Conference know what is going on in Denver. Along with the 5 million dollar fast tracks project that will double our Light Rail System. Sister Yvette introduces Juanita Chacon an RTD Board of Director. Juanita announcing that Denver is the front runner for hosting the Democratic National Convention. Brother Guerrero "Buenos Dias". Introducing the Executive Board first Rafael Niz,  Jose Villahermosa, Wilson Rios, Fitzroy Boyd, Yvette Salazar, Juan Fernandez, Juan Orta, David Benevides, Ed Figueroa. The attendees are now introducing themselves individually... Too many to list :-) Brother Guerrero we are a family respect everyone comments. Thank you for those sponsors in our journal book. Announcing committee's... Sister Salazar introduces Chris Martinez RTD Board Chairperson. Apologizing for being late. Welcomes all to Denver. Mandated by 50% to contract out our services says he does not believe in contracting out work. Unions members provide the best service, let him know if he could help you while you are in Denver. Thanks Brother Guerrero welcomes Brother Executive Vice President Michael Siano. Welcomes you to the International Conference. Diversity is great, his 1st convention was in 1969, wildcat strikes back then, can not separate ourselves from one another need to go forward as a group. Need to get involved in a Caucus, you have to take charge of your own Caucus, you need to say we are all brothers and sisters and we are in this together. New direction for ATU, we are interviewing for a Director to take over the organizing staff. Station will be at the ATU International Office. Need to take over the house. This is a rich man's game, cards are against us, has to be workers and middle income, we should not pay the whole load, want to pay our fair share. 97% of the wealth is owned by 3% of the people. All we want to do is make a living for our families. He will be leaving us this afternoon, needs to go back home to attend to his wife. Don't give up the struggle. Standing ovation for Brother Siano. Brother Guerrero welcomes International Representative Brother Rafael Rivera. Good to be here, this is the largest conference he has seen in the last 10 years. Participation from new Local's this year that is great. Recognizing Sister Yvette Salazar for the work she has done here in Denver, Colorado. She walked away from this last strike with the largest wage increase in the history of 1001. Also recognizing Brother Eddie Figueroa for Vice President of his Local Latino Caucus. Everyone needs to get out and get involved. We have to move forward. We have to do better brother's and sister's. Thanks the Executive Committee for him being here. Standing ovation for Brother Rivera. Conference on break till 10:50am........... Brother Jose Guerrero reconvened the Conference at 11:00am. Passing out the ad journals. Sister Yvette Salazar announces that the badges can be used as fare for our transportation services while you are here. Casino trip leaves tonight at 6:00pm till 11:00pm. Tomorrow dinner and dance everyone is invited starts at 8pm. Thank you for coming it's a pleasure having us. Julie Gonzales is unable to be here so we will move to Karen Head, Director of Political and Regulatory Affairs. Karen Head lets everyone know that the election is 5 weeks away. Have a big chance to take over the Senate. Lot of members are not democrats which we understand. Educate members, no matter where you live. Need to get involved in your Local Union. 64% of voters agree that we are on the wrong track, 55% says the President can improve on his job he is doing now. Labor 2006 - AFL-CIO program, educating and mobilizing union members. Key races in 36 states have great chances in taking them over. Communicate with our membership need to get everyone involved. Your employer might say that you can not get involved because of the Hatch Act. This is not true, check your State rules to see if your transit is exempt. 2nd best communication is by mail. Need to have every Local to send their membership a letter on who we are endorsing.  Several members here in Colorado are doing Labor, great start need to do more. Need to encourage everyone to get out and vote, can't tell them who to vote for but need to get them out. We know this is not the way you want to spend your free time but we only have 5 weeks. Compare 5 weeks to someone who gets in Office that we do not want to be there for years. Go to Working Families Tool Kit need to sign in for your State, great way to communicate. Standing ovation for Karen Head. Brother Guerrero regular order of business. Role call. Thank you Madam Secretary. ATU Latino Caucus Executive Committee Meeting Minutes Wednesday, September 21, 2006 Sacramento, CA. Minutes Accepted. ATU Latino Caucus Executive Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, September 22, 2006 Sacramento, CA. Minutes Accepted. ATU Latino Caucus Meeting Minutes Friday, September 23, 2006 Sacramento, CA. Minutes Accepted. ATU Latino Caucus Meeting Minutes Saturday, September 24, 2006 Sacramento, CA. Minutes Accepted. ATU Latino Caucus Executive Committee Meeting Minutes Friday, April 28, 2006 Denver, CO. Minutes Accepted. ATU Latino Caucus Executive Committee Meeting Minutes Saturday, April 29, 2006 Denver, CO. Minutes Accepted. Blocking telemarketers from calling your cell phone. 800 in your packet to call to block them from calling you. Legislature bills that needs attention. Report of Officer's that we will start after lunch, Lunch will be served Court & Tremont rooms. Be back by 1:30pm. Brother Jose Guerrero recesses the conference for lunch until 1:30pm... Brother Jose Guerrero reconvened the Conference at 1:33pm. Karen Head passes out a sample flyer that you can find on Working Families Tool Kit. Fitzroy Boyd will have do raffles before we start our first work shop... Brother Jose Guerrero goes over his President's Report for September 28 - October 1, 2006. Thanks ATU 1001 for their gracious hospitality to our conference delegation. I must regrettably report the loss of our former Northwest Region Representative, Ben Cedeno, along with Sister Cathy Donalds. The Latino Caucus sends their sympathy to Ben's and Cathy's families, friends and fellow Chapter members. COPE contribution to the Democratic candidate for Governor of the State of California on behalf of the LC. Letter sent to President Warren George, notifying that the EC is available if there is a need. Asked him for sponsorship of four Executive Committee Members to the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement Conference. Thank you to all who was involved in last year's conference, letters were sent out. We have worked on building up our coalition with the Black and Women Caucus' Executive Officers. Each organization has agreed to meet together in a neutral city. Attended a two day Labor Leader Summit in LA. Attended the Retirement Party of Brother Hector Flores on behalf of the LC and the two Chicago Chapters. I wished him many years of retirement with his wife Nancy Flores. Met in late April here in Denver made final decisions for our Denver Conference. Created a new committee to deal with our fundraisers at all of our future conferences. As of June 21, 2006, the current Boston LC Chapter has been suspended until their internal issues are resolved. Our LC promotion video or CD requested by Dallas as not been forgotten. Have a terrific and enjoyable visit in Denver, Colorado! Brother Ed Figueroa goes over his Vice President's Report dated September 29, 2006. Welcome to the 17th Annual Conference once again thank you to Local 1001. Get politically active at home or office via the internet. Go to www.afl-cio.org or www.atu.org , you will find pre-written letters for pro labor to your elected official's. NYC Chapter in dormant status. Immifration Bill left a bad taste in many mouths. Walked the picket lines December 6-13, 2005 had great turnouts with the help of Casey Stengel Depot. We went out Dec 20 and returned to work on Dec 23 - 3 days. Local 1056 ratified the contract. 10.5% raises, MLK now a paid Holiday, Pension refund, new prescription card with no cap, downside members now have to contribute 1.5% of their gross wages towards their Health and Welfare. President Local 100 Roger Tousaint was sentenced to 10 days in jail but released after 3 days for violating the Taylor Law. Held local elections this year in June, I ran for and was elected the President of Local 1056 in NY. In conclusion I want to thank you for coming and letting me get to know you and being friends. Brother Jose Guerrero introduces  Dr. Gabriela Lemus - Executive Director of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA). Background was a Professor of International Studies. Demographic Trends Latinos in the US Census 2000: 281.4 million residents were counted in the US by the Census, 35.3 or 12.5% were Hispanics. Immigrants - 8 million or 35% of Latino adults are Non-Citizens, 4.2 million are eligible to become US Citizens. Ports of Entry - Major Destination (70% of immigrants) - California, Texas, Illinois, Florida, New York and New Jersey. Traditional States (>250,000 in 1920) - Washington, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Minnesota. New Growth States (1990-99 > 50%) - Oregon, Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia. Latinos and the Economy - 1 out of 6 new workers in the United States is Latino. In 2004, Latino employment increased by 1 million workers - 6%. Gains were driven by immigrants who entered the economy between 2000 and 2004. Unemployment rate for Latinos fell by more than two percentage points in 2004. Education - 81% of new jobs for foreign-born Latinos were in occupations requiring minimal formal education. 76% of new jobs for native-born Latinos were in occupations requiring minimal formal education. 64% of new jobs for native-born white workers were in occupations requiring a college degree or more. 2005 Latino Coalition Poll - Most important issue facing them: Finding a job/Job Security : 24.8% - Cost of Education: 20% - Immigration: 15.2%. A History in Brief: US Policy combined with union leadership attitudes kept Latino organizing at bay in the early-20th century to mid-1908s. US Government colluded with "Big Business" by adopting policies that placed Latinos/immigrant workers in a tenuous position. US and State Governments enacted policies that harmed unions and wedged Latinos within Unions. Union Leadership expressed disdain toward Latino workers. Conference recesses for break at 3:00pm... Conference reconvenes at 3:23pm with another round of raffles. Dr. Gabriela Lemus resumes with Hilary Clinton regarding how many Latinos like her. Latino Coalition Poll - Hillary Clinton - Favorable 56.4% , Unfavorable 10.0%. A NEW DAY... Latinos are the fastest growing segment within the unions. Union Leadership had changed its attitude - valuing diversity and its contributions. Union Leadership had changed its attitude towards immigrants. A History to be proud of... Latinos have made unions park of a national social movement. Latinos have pioneered new organizing models to deal with the proliferation of contract work and contingent workers. With direct familial links to lands to the south, Latino workers have shown how an international labor movement can fortify labor struggles. What Latinos bring to the Table... *Innovation *Creativity * Cultural Relevance. Taking questions from the attendees... Round of applause for Gabriela Lemus. Brother Fitzroy Boyd gives thanks to Mike Mahar Local 583 President for the opportunity to be part of the Latino Caucus. Brother Guerrero announces that Javier Perez will be with us tomorrow. Last round of raffles. Conference recesses till 9:00am Saturday morning. Today is Saturday, September 30, 2006- Good Morning from Denver, Colorado Brother Guerrero reconvenes the Conference  at 9:21am. Asking the attendees who was the big winner in Central City. They are working on the roof that is what the noise so please speak up today. Brother Guerrero introduces ATU International Vice President Javier Perez. Want to thank everyone for the ovation and attending this year's conference. Thanks to 1001 and the EB for the LC and Local. Latino population has dramatically changed. Important for us to work together. Asking Baltimore members if they were treating badly when organizing. People are afraid of changed. Voting and American Idol, more people voted for the last two contestants on the American Idol then they did the last Presidential Election. People vote they just are voting for the wrong reason. It's ok to celebrate our differences. Must face our destiny. Engage in one another, act of participation. We can become a better more united union because we are ATU. Brother Guerrero starts the business session. Report from the Treasurer's 105 delegates registered 6 associates. 111 total will have a report after the audit committee has looked over the report. Recording Secretary report you have all the information in your packet. :) Western Regional Representative report from Brother Niz. ATU Local 256 has finalized negotiations with MV Transportation. I attended the ATU Regional Conference held in Seattle, Washington. We firmly believe in the continued education of all Officers and Executive memebers of the ATU Locals. Local 256 continues to expand. Our Chapter marched along with 4.000 other Latinos on March 31st, Ceaser Chavez Holiday. On July 1st the Latino, Black, and Women's Caucus of 256 hosted a dance for our Union Members. Thank you. Midwest Executive Representative report from Brother Rios. Hello we are gathered once again not only to help one another, but to support one another. I would like to extend my thanks to all of those who believed in me. Would like to extend our thanks to Jose Gonzalez from Local 1070 in Indianapolis for the idea of a Latino Caucus flag that we will fly at every conference. We got together with some of the members of our sister Local 241 to reorganize the Chicago Chapter of the Latino Caucus. We are involved in our Community. Would like to see the position for Southeast Executive Representative position filled asap as this position has been open for quite some time. Was contacted by Bernardo Menendez Vice President of Local 1464 for assistance in getting his chapter back on track. In conclusion would like to give thanks to Local 1001 and their members. Southwest Region Representative report from Juan Fernandez. Thank you to Yvette Salazar and Local 1001 for hosting the conference, it has been a great weekend. In December we had a fundraiser event. In February we did block walking for the political race for the Democratic primary for the office of US Representative we supported Ciro Rodriguez. In March our Local chapter participated in the Cesar Chavez March in San Antonio, Texas. In April our local chapter March for Rights for Immigrants in San Antonio. Awarded two scholarships to Joshua Avelar and Tomas Garcia. In August I attended the National Convention of LCLAA in San Antonio. In September participated in the Diez y seis parade in San Antonio, Texas. Report for Local 1091 multiple demonstrations that took place before the strike. Went out on strike right when Katrina hit. Local 1338 reports that the company is trying to take away their seniority. Froze sick pay, waiting on for Texas Supreme Court decision. Need your prayers for Local 1338 Dallas Tx. Brother Guerrero announces new arrivals, asks them to introduce themselves... First round of raffles for the day... Conference on break... Conference reconvenes at 11:03am. Northwest Region Representative report from Jose Villahermosa. Welcome to Denver and thank you to Local 1001 for their hospitality. I am saddened to report that the Tacoma Chapter of the Latino Caucus is no longer viable. Latinos are under pressure from our Republican led administration. Workers finding it hard to find work to survive. Farmers throwing away thousands of pounds of fruits and vegetables have had to be destroyed. It seems that for this administration there is no middle ground. These kinds of actions  by our government make hatred of a group of people ok and can lead to further erosions of our rights. There is nothing that the present administration would like better than to get rid of our unions. As union members we must stick together. I would like to welcome the president of my Local ATU 758 Isaac Tate, and I hope that we have a great conference. Thank you. Northeast Region Representative report from Juan Orta. Buenos Dias, welcome to Denver we thank Local 1001 for their hospitality and the EB of the LC. Announces that the 2008 ATU International Latino Caucus Conference would like to be held in Allentown, PA. We are looking forward to this opportunity. In December the Caucus and the Local Union 956 held a Christmas Party together. We will do this once again this December. We participated in a rally in the Bethlehem Area School District board meeting to support discrimination against Latinos who were rejected but qualified for a seat on the School Board. We participated in the St Patrick's Parade. Our annual scholarship contest winners received $500 each. Attended the Puerto Rican Cultural Alliance 13th Annual Fund Raising Gala night. We received an invitation to participate in the 64th NAACP fund raising event. We participated in the Puerto Rican Festival at Jordan Park. I was elected to the Executive Board of the AFL/CIO N.E. Region. Our Latino Caucus Picnic had 18 members attend enjoyed a great time. Participated in the Anti-Immigration City Council meeting to express our concerns. Purchased a table of ten where five members and spouses participated in the United Way Labor Kick Off for Teens. New York Latino Caucus Chapter Local Union 1056 President Ed Figueroa. Currently there are 6 caucus members that are running for office. Contract negotiations were settled. Washington Latino Caucus Local Union 689 President Julio Santana. There are 12 active Caucus members and the local union is being involved for about one year now in contract disputes. He is actively involved with diversity, recruiting and employment seminars. Julio is looking to recruit younger members and wants them to participate in the Union Meetings. Currently reading letters regarding the 2008 Conference... Second round of raffles for the day... Conference breaks for lunch... Brother Guerrero reconvenes at 1:15pm introducing Julie Gonzales Coalition of Immokalee Workers. End sweatshops in the fields. Farmworkers labor from dawn to dusk for sub-poverty wages without the right to overtime pay, the right to organize, or benefits of any kind. Pickers for Florida-based tomato companies earn 40-50 cents for every 32 lb bucket of tomatoes that they pick - a wage rate which has not changed significantly since 1978. At this rate, a farmworker must pick nearly 2 1/2 tons of tomatoes just to earn minimum wage for a typical 10 hour day. In the most extreme cases, workers endure situations of modern-day slavery. These sweatshops conditions result from the high volume, low cost purchasing practices of large corporate buyers like Chipotle, which was until recently part of the McDonald's family. Chipotle has been able to grow and prosper through access to McDonald's deep pockets and vast supply chain. By leveraging its purchasing power to demand the cheapest possible price for tomatoes, Chipotle directly contributes to a downward pressure on farm worker wages and working conditions. McDonald's has taken a path which threatens to undermine the wage gains won by farm workers and push workers back away from the table where decisions are made that affect their lives. Chipotle, however, recognizes that its volume purchasing of vegetables and meat places it in a unique position to influence the conditions under which its ingredients are produced and raised. If Chipotle is sincere about "Food with Integrity," it must ensure "Work with Dignity" for the farm workers in its supply chain. Join CIW in calling on Chipotle to meet these demands and join in extending the precedents of the Taco Bell agreement. Canadian Representative report from Fitzroy Boyd. Would like to thank 1001 for their hospitality, special thanks to Kimn Lucero for arranging special lunches for me. Been busy since the last conference in California. Sent letters announcing the 17th Annual Conference hoping locals could send delegates or purchase an ad in the Ad Journal. Spring Board meeting in Denver, reported there would be an election for the Canadian Council. As I have said at previous conventions, I hope that you all brought pens and paper to take notes to report back to your members. I hope you enjoy this convention and have a safe trip. Officers accepted Executive Committees reports. Next order of busy Committee reports... EC recommendations to send the four principle officers to meet with Black & Women's Caucus with all expenses paid, also to establish a welfare committee. Continue on the committee reports... Conference on break till 3:00pm... Conference reconvenes at 3:00pm. Brother Guerrero introduces Rudy Medina - Collaborative Culture Workshop. What does Collaborative Culture mean to you? Working together, the meaning of collaboration means working with an enemy that took over your territory. What changed? People got smarter. In ATU you have some of the brightest people here today.  Solving problems with management. Why won't management get collaborate with the unions? Because they have the power. Would your employer do this tomorrow? No because they do not want to give up the power. We are so busy battling in rights and issues we don't have time to say why is this an issue.  Here of this saying "As long as you live in my house you will do what I say" I'm sure we all have heard this saying. Wanted to grow my hair but father would not allow so I left the house at 15 years old. I left the rights, never went back till 5 years later. Father loved me always loved him but never agreed with him. You have to communicate with one another, which is hard to do. Who has a collaborate communication with their employment? Want you to partner up with the person next to you to collaborate a problem... Round of applause for Rudy Medina. Regular order of business. Donate $200 to Family Star. Resolution on Immigration Reform - ATU Latino Caucus Comprehensive Immigration reform September 2006. Recording Secretary Yvette Salazar reading the Reform... Procedure letter on forming Local Chapters. Questions? Need to address the wording, will have the corrections at the next conference. Tampa Latino Caucus by-laws motioned to approve the 14th Chapter of the Latino Caucus. Any nominations for the Southeast, International Representative Rafael Rivera nominates Bernardo Menendez. EC meeting to be held in Queens April 12-15, 2007. 2008 EC Meeting recommends to approve Canada as host for meeting. 2008 Latino Caucus membership meeting in Allentown, PA. Rudy Medina announces this years Caesar Chavez award winner is Jennie Gil. New business. Chicago invites the membership to their Christmas  Party in Chicago. Pedro Balderas Local 1091 would like to invite the Conference to the Austin area in 2009. Presented Jose Guerrero a special token plaque for his hard work in keeping order in meetings and his hard work he does. Juan Orta and his Board Members presents award to the President of Local 956. Receipts and expenditures. Reviewing the Sacramento Conference report... Open floor... Last round of raffles...BRING YOUR TICKETS TONIGHT AT THE DANCE!! Dinner and dance will be here at the Holiday Inn Denver City Center from 6:00pm - Midnight. What we can do to make change. Change does not come on the board it comes at a Convention. We push you to get involved, you must be delegates. We are growing, I would like to thank everyone here for their hard work. President Jose G. Guerrero adjourns the 17th Annual International Latino Caucus Conference at 5:28pm. We will see you next year in Las Vegas, NV.