Florida Teamsters Rally for Tankhaul Drivers

Florida Teamsters Rally for Tankhaul Drivers

Organizing Rally Is Part of Operation Tanker

February 13, 2001

(Washington, DC) – Teamsters from South and West Florida rallied yesterday in Port Everglades to protest unsafe conditions in the tankhaul industry and to push for union representation for Florida transport drivers.

"The Teamsters Union is taking a hard look at the problems faced by drivers in the tankhaul industry. Clearly, these drivers are not better off than they were 20 years ago, said Bob Maldunas, regional organizer for Local Union 79 in Tampa. "Tank haulers with union representation earn higher wages, are encouraged to work safer and enjoy a greater level of job security than workers who are not protected.

Following successful organizing campaigns in Tampa and Cocoa, Florida, the Teamsters has turned its attention to rallying Port Everglades drivers who want a better way of life and a higher standard of living gained by a union contract. At issue is the increased pressure by tank haul companies on its drivers to deliver more products while sacrificing highway and worker safety. The Teamsters object to this treatment of drivers and will work to restore a balance between profits and safety.

"The future of the tankhaul industry depends on attracting a continuous amount of dedicated drivers, Maldunas said. "We cannot attract those drivers if tankhaul companies are running employees into the ground with expectations that place profits before personal or public safety.

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents more than 1.5 million hard-working men and women throughout the United States and Canada.