April 23, 2008  

(Washington, D.C.) —An overwhelming majority of about 100 workers at UPS Freight (formerly Overnite Transportation) terminals in Alabama, California, Mississippi and Oregon have signed authorization cards to become Teamsters, bringing the total number of drivers and dockworkers who have signed cards to 10,200 since January 16, Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa announced.

The workers will be joining the following Locals: In California, Local 137 in Redding and Local 890 in Salinas; Local 402 in Muscle Shoals, Alabama which covers the Decatur terminal; Local 667 in Memphis which covers the Tupelo, Mississippi terminal; and Local 670 in Salem, Oregon, which covers the Hermiston terminal.

“We continue to see victories in all areas of the country, which shows that UPS Freight workers are completely united in their determination to become Teamsters,” said Teamsters Package Division Director Ken Hall. “Their determination will be rewarded with a strong contract.”

“A contract will mean the difference between night and day for the Tupelo workers,” said Henry Perry, President of Local 667, and an International Trustee. “These workers will see better benefits and working conditions and it will be a real change of life for them.”

“We were really pleased that the UPS Freight workers understood the importance of what the Teamsters can do for them,” said Diana Franken, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 670.

“The UPS Freight workers were thrilled to join the Teamsters and look forward to being a part of a strong union,” said Dave Hawley, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 137.

“It’s really exciting to see that there are a lot of UPS Freight workers all across the country who are joining the Teamsters,” said Oscar Rios, Business Agent for Local 890.

“The UPS Freight workers here want good wages and benefits and a secure future, and being Teamsters will guarantee that for them,” said Joe Gronek, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 402.

Earlier this month, more than 89 percent of UPS Freight workers who are already Teamster members ratified a new contract, which improves wages, benefits and working conditions.

A majority of UPS Freight workers in 36 states have submitted cards: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

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.