I am a road driver. Some of the places we bed down are ridiculous. I wouldn’t make my dog lay in them. What rights do I have besides grieve and wait? When we find our own rooms, we get threatened with disciplinary actions. Under Article 49 in the contract, it says the company has to pay $40. Why can’t we get some relief?
- Ornery at the Road Rash Inn, Local 200, USF Holland, Milwaukee
Dear Ornery,
You’re right about the current contract language and the need for our Teamster reps on panels to enforce it. Relief for the rash may be on the way with the union’s proposed language for the Central Supplement. The proposal calls for an increase to $60 and a two-person committee to inspect company motels on a random basis every 6 months.
Road drivers need to press their local officers and agents on the Central Supplement committee to bargain this change, and we need enforcement.
Meanwhile, I suggest you file grievances and encourage others to do the same. It’s harder for the panel to ignore a “rash” of grievances than just one ornery Teamster.