News Updates
US Demonstrators Demand End To Cutting Of Well-paid Car Haulage Jobs
November 18, 2009Campaign to Save Our Jobs Gains Momentum
November 10, 2009More Than 200 Protest Fiat/Chrysler Outside Italian Embassy
November 5, 2009
Shouting “Hey, hey, ho, ho, bailout bandits got to go” and other slogans, more than 200 people protested outside the Embassy of Italy in Washington, D.C. today to blast Fiat/Chrysler’s attempt to destroy professional carhaul jobs.
The delegation of labor representatives and consumer protection advocates chose the Embassy of Italy because Chrysler has formed an alliance with the Italian automaker Fiat.
“We are today at the Italian Embassy because we are standing up to the Bailout Bandits,” Zuckerman said. “Fiat Chrysler got $14 billion in American taxpayer money and we’re here to say we won’t allow them to use that money to restructure an industry in a way that destroys American jobs, increases the danger of driving on our highways, and hurts the American Consumer.”
Bud Palmer, a Teamster carhauler in
Teamsters Protest Fiat/Chrysler's Attack on American Carhaul Jobs Outside Embassy of Italy
November 5, 2009(Washington, D.C.) – A delegation of labor representatives and consumer protection advocates joined hundreds of protesters outside the Embassy of Italy in Washington today to call on the Italian government to hold Fiat/Chrysler accountable for waging an attack on thousands of good-paying jobs in the U.S. carhaul industry by shifting work to cut-rate, inexperienced companies to transport new vehicles.
Representatives from the Teamsters Union, the Australian Services Union and Consumer Action delivered a letter from Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa to Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and the presidents of the Italian Senate and Chamber of Deputies. In the letter, Hoffa expressed concern that billions in taxpayer dollars on both sides of the Atlantic are not being used to establish a sustainable recovery at Fiat/Chrysler, and calls on the Italian government to hold Fiat/Chrysler and its chief executive, Sergio Marchionne, accountable for the company’s actions.
“Fiat management is seeking to transform the auto transport industry from one that provides stable jobs that support drivers and their families into a cut-throat, low-cost, low-quality segment of its supply chain,” Hoffa wrote. “In the United States, Fiat/Chrysler has recently embarked on an effort that transforms how automobiles are delivered to dealer showrooms. The results are disturbing from the perspective of both business and consumers.”
The delegation also gave embassy representatives a copy of the report “Damaged When Delivered? How Bailed-Out Auto Giants are Ripping Off American Consumers,” a revealing look at the risks to vehicles and consumers when car companies use cut-rate and inexperienced carhaul drivers to transport new automobiles.
“Not only is Fiat/Chrysler attempting to destroy thousands of good jobs in the carhaul industry, but they are contracting to brokers that hire improperly trained workers. These inexperienced drivers are securing new vehicles in such a manner that the automobiles are at risk of being damaged while being transported to the dealerships,” said Fred Zuckerman, Director of the Teamsters Automobile Transporters Industry Division. “The consumer is not only getting a product that is not in the same condition it was when it came of the line, but may in fact be at risk of injury due to the damage inflicted on these automobiles by inexperienced carhaul drivers.”
Demonstrators at the protest expressed their solidarity with Fiat workers in Italy, who are likewise fighting for their rights, pay and against mass layoffs.
“I also want to express the Teamsters Union’s solidarity in these trying times with our brothers and sisters in Italy who work at Fiat and along its supply chain,” Hoffa wrote. “We share your concern for the 12,000 workers currently laid-off at Fiat.”
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
Whats Wrong With This Picture: Surrender Fiat/Chrysler Edition
November 4, 2009Detroit Free Press: Teamsters Hire Banner Plane
November 4, 2009There's a quizzically folkish-American roots music track playing with a heavy use of Springsteen's Seeger Sessions CD.
Is Bruce speaking for American taxpayers when he launches into "Pay Me My Money Down"?
We're a long way from the days of rich Corinthian leather.
Already there has been one unplanned incursion. The Teamsters, who are fighting Chrysler's attempt to use non-union car-haulers, have hired a banner plane flying loops above the Chrysler campus.
The banner reads “Fiat/Chrysler Bailout Bandit” and “www.CarBuyersBeware.com"
Chrysler contends by using more trucking companies it can reduce the cost of delivering vehicles to dealers and manage their inventories better.
Teamsters Take Carhaul Jobs Fight To Skies Over Chrysler's Meeting
November 4, 2009Two airplanes will be flying over the Chrysler Technology Centre from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. today to protest the company’s attempt to destroy the jobs of experienced, professional drivers who deliver new cars to dealers.
Inside the building, top Chrysler management is publicly unveiling its new auto lineup and business plan today. Chrysler, owned by Fiat, received bailouts from U.S. taxpayers earlier this year, but is now demanding dramatic and unsustainable cost cuts from professional carhaul companies, threatening the thousands good-paying, middle-class jobs in this industry that provide family health care benefits.
The airplanes will be pulling banners that read “Fiat/Chrysler Bailout Bandit” and “www.CarBuyersBeware.com.” The web site was launched to educate consumers about how the bailed-out auto giants are ripping off American car buyers.
Consumers are being alerted that the cars they purchase could be delivered by drivers who do not have the appropriate experience or equipment to do the job safely. Improper delivery practices can greatly risk damaging new vehicles. Car buyers are still being charged mandatory “destination fees” of $900 or more, but these fees have no relation to the actual cost of transporting a vehicle. Those costs average $80-$120.
The Teamsters Union was founded in 1903 and represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
Leafleting Car Dealerships And Other Activities Outlined On Conference Call To Members
October 29, 2009On October 28, 2009 General President Jim Hoffa and Carhaul Director Fred Zuckerman spoke to many carhaul members via a conference call. This was a rallying call for action to save the industry while outlining the activities planned for the week. If you were unable to join the call, click here. (Edited for time)
Local 210 Members Leaflet New York Area Car Dealerships
October 28, 2009Members of Local 210 were out in force this past weekend to pass "Car Buyers Beware" leaflets to customers at New York City area car dealerships. View photos from this event.
Louisville, Philadelphia, Nashville and Miami Teamsters Leaflet Dealerships and Auto Show
October 27, 2009Members of Teamsters Local 89, 384 and 769 leafletted car dealerships in the Louisville, KY, Norristown, PA, Nashville, TN, and attendees of the Miami Auto Show over the October 24-25 weekend. Their efforts were part of the nationwide campaign to educate consumers about how non-Teamsters are delivering GM and Chrysler cars with trucks that are in poor condition. See photos from the events.
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