text: We are proud to share that Local 89 Vice President / Central Region Vice President Avral Thompson, and Local 89 Secretary-Treasurer John Bolton have been appointed to the National Negotiating Committee (NNC), and that Local 89 Business Agent Mike Rankin has been appointed to the UPS Freight Negotiating Committee.
  These appointments dramatically increase the power of Local 89's voice in negotiations with UPS, and ensures we will know how negotiations for these two contracts are proceeding at all times. Long-time members will recall that a "Brown Out" occurred in the 2013 National Negotiations, resulting in members and even Local Union leaders never knowing what exactly was being negotiated. This was the wrong way to negotiate, as it lessens member involvement, and prevents Local Unions from strategically negotiating their Local contracts around the actions of the NNC.
  These Local 89 leaders will be vocal about the issues that are most important to our members, and will ensure that members are kept updated on what is happening during negotiations on the National level. Avral's elected position on the IBT General Executive Board further improves his ability to stand up for our members demands, and makes for a stronger bargaining position for Local 89 and our members.