Hoffa Calls on Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to Bargain in Good Faith

Hoffa Calls on Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to Bargain in Good Faith

Official Statement of Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa

November 30, 2004

On Wednesday, November 24, 2004, over 1,800 of our hardworking members from Locals 77 and 250 in Pennsylvania began a strike to protest unacceptable concessions proposed by the Turnpike Commission in the latest round of negotiations.

Our workers stand united against a state administration that refuses to acknowledge the contributions our members have made to increase the Turnpike Commission’s profits. Governor Edward Rendell and the commission have decided that the best course of action is not to reward the workers’ efforts, but rather to cut health care and refuse to offer fair wage increases.

The Teamsters agreed to the integration of the EZPass, which has allowed the Turnpike Commission to increase profits. The commission has also raised tolls an estimated 42 percent over the same amount of time which has helped to fill their coffers even more. Our members have been without a contract since October 1, 2003 and only ask to receive a fair portion of those increased profits.

The Teamsters have made every effort to bargain in good faith with the Turnpike Commission during these negotiations. There is seemingly no reason why the commission would choose to continue to lowball our members who have not had a wage increase in over two years.

For this reason, I ask Governor Rendell and the Turnpike Commission to return to the bargaining table with the fair contract our members deserve.