IBT Conducts TLA at Our Miami Hall

From March 11-14, 2014, Teamsters Local 769 hosted a Teamsters Leadership Academy (TLA) where we welcomed business agents and officers from locals across the nation for advanced training and education. The focus of the course was on the legal aspects of collective bargaining in private and public sectors. The four day program placed special emphasis on contemporary and difficult bargaining questions including healthcare and pension.

Teamsters came from as far as Denver Colorado to participate in the academy conducted by the IBT Training and Development Department with Iliana Flores, Richard Lipsitz, and Mike Manley, Staff Attorney from the IBT Legal Department.

Group exercises and simulated negotiations were conducted to demonstrate the latest tactics and tools for negotiating strong Teamster contracts. Although nearly all of the Local 769 Business Agents and Officers had already had this training, many of them were on hand each day and they were glad to sharpen their skills by participating with those that were attending the TLA.

“The Teamsters Leadership Academy that was held at TLU 769 was very educational from bargaining health care, writing contract language to the mock bargaining exercise that was held.”, said Local 769 Business Agent David Renshaw. “The information that was received from this leadership academy will assist in future bargaining.”

As an added bonus, visiting Teamsters here for the training were treated to beautiful weather all week long and other than a faulty light switch repaired by Local 769 Business Agent Steve Myers, the weeklong event went off without a hitch.

Thanks to everyone who attended and to everyone from the IBT Training and Development Department that made this TLA a wonderful success.

Special Thanks to-

Iliana Flores, Southern Region Training Coordinator and IBT Training & Development Department

Richard Lipsitz, Training Consultant, IBT Training & Development Department and Political Action Coordinator

Mike Manley, Staff Attorney IBT Legal Department

Ron Cancelose, Assistant Director IBT Economics and Contracts Department

Hemant Berry, Assistant Director IBT Benefits Department

Beatrice “Tris” Newbury, Assistant to the Director IBT Benefits Department