February 5, 2008

(Houston, TX) – An overwhelming majority of about 150 workers at the UPS Freight (formerly Overnite Transportation) terminals in Houston and in Beaumont, Texas have signed authorization cards to become Teamsters, bringing the total number of drivers and dockworkers seeking to join the union to about 3,850 since January 16, Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa announced.

The workers are seeking to join Local 988 in Houston.

“We have a new executive board at Local 988 and our focus is on growing our union. UPS Freight is our first organizing campaign and it’s a great way to start,” said Robert Mele, Local 988 President. “We look forward to providing top-notch representation to the UPS Freight workers. The Teamsters Organizing Department was a great help in this campaign, as well as our stewards.”

“Our UPS Freight campaign has hit the Lone Star State, and we look forward to welcoming the hardworking men and women at UPS Freight in Texas,” said Ken Hall, Director of the Teamsters Package Division.

In addition to the Houston and Beaumont workers, UPS Freight workers in Indiana, California, Florida, Arizona, New York state, Kentucky and New England, and the large cities of Atlanta, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Oakland, Seattle, Memphis and Detroit have submitted cards to become Teamsters.

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