Teamster carhaulers are being kept in the dark about negotiations as the contract expiration date of May 31 fast approaches. The IBT Carhaul Division, headed by Kevin Moore and Roy Gross of Detroit Local 299, has not communicated any plans or asked local unions to hold proposal meetings.

The national contract covers Cassens Transport, Jack Cooper Transport, Active USA, and some smaller operators at yards and rail heads. 

The last time the contract was negotiated, Teamster Carhaulers voted No twice. Members defeated pay cuts in the first deal negotiated by the Hoffa administration by voting No by an overwhelming 87 percent.

You would think that Hoffa and Moore would learn the lesson and bring members into the bargaining process. Instead, carhaulers are once again being hit with an information blackout. 

The time for the IBT leadership to be listening to members and unifying the union behind a program to protect jobs is overdue.  

Members and local unions should press for transparency and a contract campaign that builds unity and bargaining leverage. Better late than never.