June 29, 2007

(Washington, D.C.) – The Teamsters Union praised the House Transportation Committee for voting today to make it easier for FedEx Express drivers, mechanics and other ground workers to improve their lives by forming unions.

The committee voted overwhelmingly for an amendment to the Federal Aviation Administration funding bill that would allow FedEx Express drivers and mechanics to organize under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). They have been wrongly covered by the Railway Labor Act (RLA) since FedEx successfully got a provision slipped in legislation in 1996 to retain special status as an airline, thus throwing up a major roadblock for its ground workers to form unions.

“It’s time to ground FedEx’s labor act charade,” said Jim Hoffa, Teamsters General President. “The Teamsters Union commends the House Transportation Committee for taking this important step today to help FedEx Express drivers and mechanics who want to achieve the American dream. The legislation also recognizes the mechanics’ professional status and provides them a better opportunity to organize.”

FedEx Express workers under the RLA must win a nationwide campaign and reach the unreasonable threshold of majority support of all eligible company employees, not just those who vote. UPS workers, however, are under the NLRA, which allows employees to form unions at individual work sites across the country through a simple majority vote.

“FedEx’s unfair advantage has allowed it to profit on the backs of its workers, who have faced slower growth in wage increases, hikes in health care costs and the demise of their pension plan,” Hoffa said. “This important provision protects the rights of workers and is in the interest of fairness and competitiveness in the package delivery industry.”

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States and Canada.