July 31, 2006

Contact: Noa Oren (202) 624-6916

(Modesto, CA) – A unit of 28 USF Bestway workers at the Modesto, California terminal have become the newest organized workers at Local 386 and the first unit organized under the Teamster card-check neutrality agreement with the company, which was ratified on July 2.

The dockworkers, line drivers and city drivers in the West will be organized through the Master Bestway Agreement card-check neutrality clause negotiated in the Southwest and the Southeast.

Workers signed cards to form a union for increased job security, seniority rights and improved pension benefits.

“I used to be a Teamster and it feels great to be one again after our three-year battle to get people together,” said Terry Toler, a 12-year local city driver and committee member in Modesto. “The card-check neutrality paved the way for us to have a voice at the table.”

Teamsters will be working to organize additional USF Bestway locations that are nonunion within the coming months.

“I am excited to welcome these courageous workers,” said John P.Souza, President of Joint Council 38 and Secretary-Treasurer of Local 386 in Modesto. “Since we have card-check neutrality, this is just the beginning of our push to organize USF Bestway workers.”

The Freight Division represents the interests of more than 80,000 Teamsters members from approximately 238 local unions. Freight employees include truck drivers, dockworkers, mechanics, and office personnel.

Founded in 1903, the Teamsters Union represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States and Canada.