March 15, 2010: The International Union issued a bulletin dated March 12 informing ABF Teamsters that the union is considering entering concession bargaining to give the company relief. The IBT reports that ABF had an operating loss of $100 million in 2009.

IBT Freight Director Tyson Johnson has informed local officers that the company has asked to suspend pension payments, a two-week cap on vacations, and a pay cut.

Johnson says the union will not consider any change in vacations and or any pension or health and welfare concessions, but is willing to consider pay concessions.

A conference call for ABF Teamsters will be held by the International Union on March 18 at 8:30 pm eastern time. Call 877-269-7289 and enter access code 14111 to join the call.

The International Union has requested that locals meet with ABF members this week or next and get questionnaires returned. Following that process, concession bargaining could open.

There will be a meeting of local officers to approve any agreement with ABF, and then ratification by the members. The General Executive Board has taken action to override the separate Chicago Local 705 and Local 710 contracts and lump them into a national vote along with the locals in the national master contract.

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