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Vegas Cab Drivers Driven to Succeed


 “The best way to build power within the Local Union is to increase membership,” said John Goins, Organizing Coordinator for USW Local 711A.

With assistance and direction provided by the Steelworkers’ international headquarters in Pittsburgh, Local Union 711A was able to add nearly 300 new members during 2005. The local is comprised of taxi cab and limousine drivers who work for several different companies in and around Las Vegas.

 

Possibilities within this unit are great, with more than 2,000 potential members.

 

The increase in membership during 2005 was primarily accomplished by working on bid drivers at Whittlesea Cab, Bell Trans and The Frias Companies (A-NLV, ABC-Union, Ace and Vegas Western).

 
John Goins, left, talks with Steelworkers International Representative Robert McAuliffe about ways to add new members.

 

One of the key elements in the recent membership drive has been taking the time to talk to potential members one on one.

 

“We have greeted drivers in the taxi stands, limo and bus staging areas. This direct contact has helped us a great deal,” Goins said. “We have also provided new hires with a presentation on membership orientation at Bell Trans and plan on conducting similar presentations at Frias and Whittlesea companies.”

 

The recent success in organizing new members has helped the local build power for the future.

 

“As local union organizers, we will soon move from a successful `Phase I’ of our membership drive into `Phase Two.’ We are looking forward to continued success,” Goins said. “Drivers are beginning to realize that being a part of the Steelworkers and taking an active role in what happens does make a difference.”

 

The group has been active in defeating legislation (AB505) that would have resulted in less pay for drivers, and USW 711A also was an integral part of stopping the allocation of additional Las Vegas taxis, which again would have hindered their ability to make a living wage.

 

“These two examples are proof that when drivers stick together as a Union they can accomplish greater things than when standing alone,” Goins said.

 

In addition, Local 711A has focused in and has been successful in handling grievances for their members. The Union has helped several drivers win back their jobs after they were wrongly terminated for disciplinary reasons.  

 

“The companies we work for recognize and exploit our low membership,” Goins said. “Only by organizing more drivers can we get their attention. An increase in membership will make us stronger and provide greater leverage at the bargaining table.”

 

“We feel good about all we have been able to accomplish so far,” Goins said. “But we also realize that there is much work to be done.”