Local 2405-The Tyler Lodge

Big Business spends big money in Washington to influence members of Congress and push their anti-worker plans. They outspend working families on politics by more than 15-1.

Through grassroots political action and aggressive lobbying on Capitol Hill and in State Houses and City Halls across America, Teamsters have stopped some of the worst attacks on working people.

But Big Business is pushing their agenda harder than ever. That means we have to fight back stronger than ever. And we have to move forward with our own programs, like improving job safety, fighting for affordable childcare, and stopping abuses by corporate health providers and insurance companies.

You can take a stand for working families by contributing to DRIVE – the Teamsters’ political action committee. Your contribution will support grassroots action by Teamster families to stand up to Big Business interests.

And your membership to DRIVE will help elect political candidates who care about working people.

Contributions to DRIVE support a wide range of Teamster activities:

Keeping members and their families informed on the key issues that affect our future, including voter guides that show the records of our Senators and Representatives in Congress.
Rallies, news conferences, advertisements, and phone banks to build support on issues of concern to working people.
Voter registration, and financial support for political candidates who will stand up for working families. DRIVE is non-partisan and independent from any political party.

Click here to download DRIVE fliers on important issues.

NOTE: Federal Law prohibits soliciting or accepting DRIVE contributions from the general public. Only Teamster members, exempt Teamster employees and the family members of both groups are allowed to contribute to DRIVE. Any contributions from the general public will be returned to the donor.

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Watkins proposal approved by Ottawa officials

A development proposal for a 120-acre site at the northwest corner of Interstate 35 and Eisenhower Road, including a 700,000-square-foot distribution center, has been approved by Ottawa, Kan., officials.

Watkins & Co. wants to take advantage of the Kansas City area’s growing reputation as an intermodal distribution center for the mixed-use development that also calls for an 84,000-square-foot truck terminal, and retail and office development.

Rick Watkins said his proposed development is within a couple of miles of American Eagle and Wal-Mart distribution centers, and near where BNSF railroad is building an intermodal center at Gardner.

“The site has great visibility and access, and a great labor force,” Watkins said.

Officials have approved a 10-year, 100 percent property tax abatement. He estimated the eventual value of the facilities at $30 million to $35 million.

BNSF, Allen Group finalize agreement on Gardner intermodal facility

By RANDOLPH HEASTER

The Kansas City Star

BNSF Railway Co. has finalized its agreements the firm that will develop the distribution and warehouse facilities at its proposed rail-hub center in Gardner.

The Allen Group, a San Diego-based industrial development firm, has completed land purchase rights and pre-development agreements with the railroad, which is building an intermodal facility in Gardner.

BNSF and the Allen Group originally announced their partnership last October.

BNSF currently owns 997 acres at the project site. The railroad will use 418 acres to build its intermodal facility, and the Allen Group will have the right to buy the remaining 579 acres for the development of facilities to surround the rail-truck terminal. The development is called Logistics Park-Kansas City.

The massive rail-truck hub project’s total investment is expected to exceed $1 billion and is expected to create up to 13,000 area jobs over a 20-year-period.

BNSF expects to open its Gardner intermodal hub in 2009. The railroad has similar operations in the Chicago and Fort Worth areas.