March 12, 2008

(Washington, D.C.) – An overwhelming majority of about 160 workers at the UPS Freight (formerly Overnite Transportation) terminals in Cincinnati, Ohio; Williamsport, Maryland; and Bristol, Tennessee have signed authorization cards to become Teamsters, bringing the total number of drivers and dockworkers seeking to join the union to about 7,800 since January 16, Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa announced.

The workers are seeking to join Local 100 in Cincinnati, Local 549 in Blountville, Tennessee and Local 992 in Hagerstown, Maryland.

“I’d like to thank the International Union leaders and the Organizing Department, which helped us set up an effective volunteer-organizing committee made up of current members,” said Troy Stapleton, Local 100 President. “The card-signers at UPS Freight have remained strong since 1999 and their commitment has helped close the deal.”

“Our Secretary-Treasurer, Tom Krause, has worked hard on this campaign and we all look forward to representing this strong, dedicated group of UPS Freight workers,” said Bob Fahnestock, Local 992 Business Agent. “UPS Freight workers Ron Wharton and Doug Delauter did an outstanding job on the campaign.”

“The UPS Freight workers got together and took the necessary steps toward a brighter future,” said Scott Armstrong, Local 549 President. “Thanks to the International Union and the Organizing Department, we are on our way.”

“Once again, our Teamster members have worked hand-in-hand with the UPS Freight workers, something we are seeing happen across the country,” said Ken Hall, Director of the Teamsters Package Division.

In addition to the workers in Cincinnati, Williamsport and Bristol, a majority of UPS Freight workers in West Virginia, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, Indiana, California, Florida, Arkansas, South Carolina, Texas, Illinois, Arizona, New York, Kentucky and New England, including the large cities of Chicago, Las Vegas, Dallas, Nashville, San Antonio, Cleveland, Atlanta, Houston, San Diego, St. Louis, Orlando, Charlotte, 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.