In a March 26 letter to its employees, Allied Systems revealed that back on Jan. 8 they requested the elimination of the June 1, 2002, contractual wage increase and health and welfare increase. Incredibly, Teamster leaders never bothered to inform the 6,000 Teamsters employed by Allied about the details of this concession request made three months ago.
The International has rejected the deal; there is no way it could be accepted. Other carriers would immediately demand equal treatment, and any mid-contract concession must be voted on by members in a national referendum. Granting the freeze on health and welfare contributions would force carhaulers out of their benefit plans and into second-tier plans.
What is Allied Really After?
Allied claims that these concessions are needed to help the financially ailing company, and to deal with the growth of nonunion carriers, which are concerns on the minds of Allied’s employees.
Management is playing on the fear of employees; no one wants to lose their job. The program is endless: CDs mailed to every Teamster, conference calls, letters, and even one-on-one meetings to go around our union and probe our weak spots. Management is manipulating fear more effectively than they are moving automobiles.
Are they simply trying to soften us up for next year’s contract? Or setting up the union to take the blame for the company’s problems?
One thing is certain: concessions will not save jobs or make them secure. Job security comes with a strong contract and a union that has a plan to defend our jobs and to aggressively organize the whole carhaul industry.
The International has rejected the deal; there is no way it could be accepted. Other carriers would immediately demand equal treatment, and any mid-contract concession must be voted on by members in a national referendum. Granting the freeze on health and welfare contributions would force carhaulers out of their benefit plans and into second-tier plans.
What is Allied Really After?
Allied claims that these concessions are needed to help the financially ailing company, and to deal with the growth of nonunion carriers, which are concerns on the minds of Allied’s employees.
Management is playing on the fear of employees; no one wants to lose their job. The program is endless: CDs mailed to every Teamster, conference calls, letters, and even one-on-one meetings to go around our union and probe our weak spots. Management is manipulating fear more effectively than they are moving automobiles.
Are they simply trying to soften us up for next year’s contract? Or setting up the union to take the blame for the company’s problems?
One thing is certain: concessions will not save jobs or make them secure. Job security comes with a strong contract and a union that has a plan to defend our jobs and to aggressively organize the whole carhaul industry.
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