May 22, 2012: Teamster carhaulers have heard the rumors that Chrysler will start an in-house operation to haul its cars. The fact is that Chrysler has already started at its Windsor, Ontario van plant, and it may well spread to the U.S.

Chrysler has a number of driveaway workers at the Windsor plant, and a small number of Chrysler-owned car carriers, with more rigs coming soon, to move cars over the Ambassador Bridge to Michigan yards. The workers are in the Canadian Auto Workers, not the Teamsters.

It is unlikely that Chrysler will try to take over deliveries to dealerships. But reportedly Chrysler has orders in for some 33 carhaul rigs, and could start using them in the U.S. to move cars from plants to marshalling yards and railheads, as they are doing at the Windsor plant.

We haven't heard one word from the IBT Carhaul Division on this important development, or any plan to ensure protection of Teamster jobs and the Teamster national contract. We need leadership that is pro-active, not merely reactive.

Has Hoffa Abandoned Carhaul?

Most carhaul work in Eastern Canada has been lost by the Teamsters to the CAW, which represents the workers at Allied, Gen Auto, and AWC in Ontario and Quebec. The Chrysler work out of the Brampton, Ontario plant is handled by Teamsters employed by Cassens and CCT.