On Monday, April 14, carhaul Teamsters who belong to Local 299 in Detroit provided valuable input to union leaders who are negotiating the national contract, with many members agreeing that contract changes are needed to boost job security.

“This meeting at our largest carhaul local union was a good opportunity for members to let us know what’s on their minds,” said Fred Zuckerman, Director of the Teamsters Carhaul Division. “For example, the members recognize that we need to revise Article 48 so that the employers have a better chance to compete against the non-union companies. This in turn will give our members more job security and the chance to earn more money with backhauls and fuller loads.”

While members were asked to fill out contract-proposal surveys, Zuckerman said the face-to-face meeting is an additional, valuable step. “It gets the members engaged and the interaction gives me and other national negotiators a clearer picture of the members’ priorities. The contract becomes more member-driven.”

Local 299 President Kevin Moore said the meeting was very successful.

“The members talked about job security being a priority when they filled out the surveys, but the discussion today helped define what job security means to them,” Moore said. “We will fight any attempts by the employers to get a concessionary contract, but the members agree that we need to make changes to help the employers and to help the members. Meetings like this give the members ownership of their contract.”

“This was the first time the union’s national carhaul director hosted a meeting during negotiations to get additional input, and it was very fruitful,” said Terry Hewer, a business agent and Carhaul Director for Local 299. “The members are being kept in the loop.”

Approximately 1,200 carhaul Teamsters belong to Local 299. National contract talks resume April 23 in Florence, Kentucky.