In Latest Victory, About 70 Drivers, Dockworkers Will Join Teamsters
May 29, 2008
(Washington, D.C.) —An overwhelming majority of about 70 workers at UPS Freight (formerly Overnite Transportation) terminals in California, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia have signed authorization cards to become Teamsters, bringing the total number of drivers and dockworkers who have signed cards to nearly 11,100 since January 16, Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa announced.
The workers will be joining Local 171 in Salem, Virginia, which includes the terminals in Lynchburg and Roanoke; Local 381 in Santa Maria, California, which includes the Oceano terminal; Local 523 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and; Local 577 in Lubbock, Texas.
"The UPS Freight workers contribute every day to making their company successful and they deserve to be recognized for their hard work," said Teamsters Package Division Director Ken Hall. "We are closer to our goal of organizing 12,600 UPS Freight workers."
"We are proud to represent the UPS Freight workers who never gave up in their fight to become Teamsters," said Rosie Via, President of Local 171.
"These workers were very energized to become part of the Teamsters. Their future is bright," said Lynn Swenson, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 381.
"Tulsa is a small city and most of the freight drivers know each other and see each other in the course of the work week. They work together and they help each other. It is truly a brotherhood," said Gary Ketchum, President of Local 523.
"These employees work a lot of hours and they don't get overtime after working 8 hours. Now they will have the opportunity to gain a strong Teamster contract," said Brian Ahearn, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 577.
In April, 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 40 states have submitted cards: Alabama, Arizona,
Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, 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, Salt Lake City, 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.
