March 26, 2008  

(Washington, D.C.) – An overwhelming majority of about 210 workers at the UPS Freight (formerly Overnite Transportation) terminals in Alabama, Georgia, New York, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin have signed authorization cards to become Teamsters, bringing the total number of drivers and dockworkers seeking to join the union to more than 9,600 since January 16, Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa announced.

The workers are seeking to join Local 528 which includes Phenix City, Alabama, and the Georgia cities of Macon, Gainesville and Tifton; Local 118 in Rochester, New York; Local 695 in Madison, Wisconsin; Local 245 in Springfield, Missouri; Local 612 in Montgomery, Alabama; and Local 40 in Mansfield, Ohio.

“During a 90-day period, more than 9,600 UPS Freight workers have signed cards to join the Teamsters,” said Ken Hall, Director of the Teamsters Package Division. “UPS Freight workers want and deserve a strong union that will give them a greater voice in the workplace, plus a good contract.”

“These workers wanted to join the Teamsters and have been looking forward to this moment for some time now,” said Don Toney, President of Local 528. “Once they were given the opportunity they jumped at the chance.”

“This victory is going to improve working conditions and give the workers job security,” said Wayne Schultz, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 695. “I’d like to thank IBT Organizer Andy Anderetti, who did a wonderful job for us.”

“It’s a great day for the workers who have waited so long to join the Teamsters,” said Steven Mazza, President of Local 118. “We look forward to getting them a great contract that will give them peace of mind for the future.”

“I would like to thank Local 245 Organizer Harvey Ritter for a job well done,” said Jim Kabell, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 245. “The workers look forward to having several issues corrected at the terminal and we’re glad to welcome them as Teamsters.”

“This is one of the greatest organizing victories for the Teamsters, and we are proud to have these new members join us,” said Larry Shaw, President of Local 40.

In addition to these workers, a majority of UPS Freight workers in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, the New England area, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Washington state and Wisconsin have submitted cards to become Teamsters.

Victories have come in numerous large cities, including Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Memphis, Minneapolis, Nashville, Oakland, Orlando, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Raleigh, Sacramento, San Diego, San Jose, St. Louis and Washington, D.C.

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