Giving Away the Carhaul Contract?

April 10, 2009: Is IBT Carhaul Director Fred Zuckerman in favor of local-by-local concessions to undercut our national contract? Is that a Yes, or a No?

In March, Zuckerman sent a memo to locals saying No to concessions on a terminal-by-terminal basis. He stated the same thing to union officers at the Central Region March panel hearings. That would be a No.

Also in March, Zuckerman’s carhaul Western chairman, Bob Doss of Local 63, finally got the members of Local 63 to vote Yes on local wage concessions to PMT (Jack Cooper). Local 104 in Phoenix went the same route. Zuckerman has not stepped in to stop those concessions. That would be a Yes.

San Antonio Local 657 has given Jack Cooper a 17 percent wage cut (down to Allied’s wage rate), hoping it will somehow get back some traffic. In Mesquite, Texas Local 745, Jack Cooper got the same 17 percent cut. Those are both very small boards. Houston drivers voted No. Arlington, Texas drivers don’t want to vote on it. Same for Wayne, Michigan and Chicago, where Jack Cooper management is floating the pay cut.

This sure looks like terminal-by-terminal cuts to drive the entire contract down to the Allied wage scale. Concessions are like cancer: if not stopped, they tend to spread.

We Deserve Better From Our Leaders

“The physically challenging and dangerous working conditions in the carhaul industry, demand and require our very best work ethic. We earn every nickel we make. What we do has a value and worth.

“Clearly our union and corporate leaders are not exposed to the hazardous conditions that we are and have not provided any examples of sacrifice in their earnings.

“Since they won’t defend and protect our contract and pay standards, we must.

“Get informed. Get involved. Join TDU and make it happen.”

Matt Studd, Cassens
Local 327, Nashville, Tenn.