Members Prepare as Contracts Come to a Head
August 23, 2007: Teamster employers are on the offensive, attacking our master contracts. Their goal is to win givebacks that will strip away historic gains, threaten our pensions and weaken our union. Concerned Teamsters are responding to the warning signs that the Hoffa administration is going along with the employers. Rank & File Action Beats Givebacks When Teamsters at DHL learned that the Hoffa administration was negotiating a concessionary contract, angry members sprung into action....
Freight Wages Have Fallen $1.44 in 10 Years
August 23, 2007: Freight wages have fallen drastically, measured against the cost of living, in the past ten years. In April 1997, a freight Teamster (Central Supplement) made $18.11 per hour. If that wage rate had just kept up with inflation, today it would be $23.55. The wage today is only $22.11. That’s a $1.44 per hour wage cut in your standard of living. It’s time for some catch up.
$150,000 Club Study Shows Where to Cut the Fat
August 23, 2007: This year’s analysis reveals that more than $20 million in Teamster dues was paid last year to the highest paid Teamster officials, each of whom bags $150,000 or more a year. Teamster contracts and benefit funds are under attack—and our union’s power is on the decline. But salaries for top Teamster officials remain on the rise, draining dues that could be used to organize the nonunion competition and rebuild Teamster Power. Those...
$150,000 Club Study Shows Where to Cut the Fat
August 23, 2007: Teamster contracts and benefit funds are under attack—and our union’s power is on the decline. But salaries for top Teamster officials remain on the rise, draining dues that could be used to organize the nonunion competition and rebuild Teamster Power. Those are the findings of a comprehensive analysis of Teamster financial documents and officer compensation by the Teamster Rank and File Education and Legal Defense Foundation (TRF). Click here to view complete...
Freight: Gains Not Givebacks
August 23, 2007: We’re overdue for important contract improvements in wages, benefits and job protections. Our freight wages have fallen, measured against inflation, since Hoffa took office. It’s time for some catchup. Major nonunion carriers pay almost as much. It’s time for benefit improvements. In the Central States Fund, we need restoration of affordable retiree health care, and we need improvements across the board to protect and improve health and pension benefits. It’s time for...
ABF Quits TMI, Goes After Your Pension
August 23, 2007: In August, ABF pulled out of Trucking Management Inc. (TMI), which bargains the National Master Freight Agreement, to bargain separately. ABF management has let it be known for some time that they would split. ABF CEO Bob Davidson earlier stated that he wants to pull out of Teamster pension plans and force ABF employees into a 401(k). We need to let him know this isn’t going to happen: ABF always has been...
Letting UPS Withdraw Would Weaken Our Union’s Power
August 23, 2007: The assets of the Central States Pension Fund are on the rise and our union will lose long-term power in dealing with management if we let UPS split from the fund. Those are the findings of pension experts and industry observers according to areport in this month’s Traffic World magazine. That’s exactly why our union should reject UPS’s bid to break up the Central States fund. Instead, we should be negotiating benefit...
UPSers Eye Early Deal
August 23, 2007: Sept. 19 will mark the one-year anniversary of the most secretive UPS contract negotiations in Teamster history. Before the month is out, Teamsters at UPS may have a contract to vote on. Teamsters at UPS need to be prepared to evaluate any offer carefully to make sure it includes the improvements in wages, benefits and contract language that members deserve. UPS management has a proven track record of floating weak offers to...
DHL Teamsters Unite for a Good Contract
August 23, 2007: DHL Teamsters are organizing nationally to defend the National Master Freight Agreement and win a good contract for all DHL Teamsters. They’ve already scored one major victory when they forced the Hoffa administration to scrap a “Draft National Agreement” that was riddled with concessions. For months, some DHL Teamsters have heard about secret bargaining between DHL management and Brad Slawson, an assistant to James Hoffa. Then on July 25, the stinky stuff...
An Open Letter to DHL Teamsters
August 23, 2007: Brothers and Sisters, I am a DHL driver and union committeeman in Pittsburgh Local 249. DHL Teamsters in our local are STRONGLY opposed to any negotiations with the goal of taking DHL out of the NMFA. When we got word that this may be in the works, we shifted into high gear to organize against it. Thankfully, we gathered a lot of support from other DHL Teamsters around the country who understand...