Harry Augustine and Family

Teamster Magazine recently got a letter to the editor thanking a local union for going over and beyond the call of duty to help a member. Harry Augustine, a Local 580 member who works for Crandell Brothers Trucking in Michigan, wrote the letter below.

Crandell Brothers Trucking is a small company consisting of about 25 Teamsters who drive gravel trains around the Lansing area. Here’s Augustine’s letter:

In spring of 2010 when I needed to re-up my medical card, I found out that the laws regarding diabetics had changed. I have been a diabetic using only oral medication to control the blood disorder for years. 

Over time, I took a garage position where I didn’t keep my medical card for the CDL current. When forced to get back in the truck I went for my physical and discovered the new laws and I was not able to pass the exam solely because I now take insulin injections. 

I had to appear before a medical review board for the Michigan State Police to see if they would grant me a medical waiver to drive. For my hearing review I could have anyone come to help represent me for the characteristics of good health. I called my Teamster local and Lynn Mead was my rep. She was very busy in negotiations with other companies as it was contract time. We were only able to contact each other thru e-mail but she spared enough time to represent me at the board of review. 

I had to have two different doctors do my physicals, and my regular doctor had to keep closer tabs on me than normal for the 90-day glucose blood count, and a special in-depth eye exam was required. All of which gave me good health reviews. However, I didn’t feel the board “listened” to what the paperwork was telling them until Lynn stood up to say a few words on my behalf as well as others who are trying to make an honest living. 

I feel that her input at the board of review was imperative in the board’s decision to grant me a one-year exemption. My year expired and I have now been granted a two-year exemption since then after going thru all the paperwork again.  

I want to give a big thank you to Lynn Mead, Local 580 and Chad Crandell of Crandell Brothers Trucking.

from Harry Augustine and Family

P.S. Thank you for helping me to keep my livelihood so I could feed my family.