Allied Demands Carhaul Concessions

Allied Automotive Group has once again demanded concessions from Teamster carhaulers in the form of relief from the June 1 2005 wage increase and relief from “restrictive, non-competitive work rules.” IBT Carhaul Director Doc Conder turned Allied down on February 18.

Allied’s CEO Hugh Sawyer dropped a hint (or a threat) into his February 1 letter, now distributed widely to Allied Teamsters, by mentioning the possibility of bankruptcy. If Sawyer attempts to use bankruptcy court as a weapon to attack our contract, we need to be prepared for an all-out fight. Not just Allied Teamsters, but all Teamsters.

Sawyer claims in his “Dear Jimmy” letter that a silent majority of Allied Teamsters support his drive for concessions. Sawyer, a master of salesmanship and paternalism, often claims to speak for his Teamster employees.

Allied — along with the whole industry — was given a two-year wage freeze in the current contract, and the June 1 raise will be the first one three years. In his February 18 response, Conder states that other union carriers are making money and declines Sawyer’s request for a commission to discuss concessions in wages and working conditions.

Allied continues to be its own worst enemy. For example, in February Allied has lost some Ontario Chrysler work to a non-union operator, Oakwood Transport, for no apparent reason. Allied can’t seem to handle all the Chrysler traffic, and yet has drivers on lay-off in Windsor, Ontario.
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