“Carhaul Teamsters learned a great lesson when we voted down the first offer. We beat back the concessions that both the companies and our union bargainers claimed they had to have. We knew times were tough but we stood strong in preserving our contract. That took organization to get it done and that’s where TDU comes in.

“We held conference calls where carhaulers from across the country were able to share information and reinforce opposition to the givebacks. Where would working Teamsters be without TDU? We’d be isolated and discouraged. That’s no way to be a union. So step up today and help us continue the fight to enforce the contract and save our jobs. Join TDU today.” — Paul Kubal, Jack Cooper, Local 299, Detroit

“Owner operators out of Flint voted down the second contract. It didn’t address our issues and we ended up with a worse contract. We need our own supplement.

“We understand the company drivers got changes on most of the proposed concessions so that explains the contract passing. Owner operators need to learn from that fight and organize for our needs. We can push back but, just like the office Teamsters, we don’t have the numbers.

“We’ll need to get all Teamster carhaulers to understand what we face. We need that majority support on the next contract. That’s the union we need to forge.” — J.D. Smith, Allied Owner Operator, Local 332, Flint, Mich.

“It was tough to see the Michigan office supplement bargained away. Our reps claimed it was the best way to defend our jobs. We know they weren’t happy that we held up the last contract. Our loss is the price we had to pay for getting an honest vote count. That said, it shows how important the supplement votes can be.

“We need to prepare now to get stronger language and improvements on the supplements in the next contract.” — Ava Miller, Allied, Local 332, Flint

What do you think? Call (313) 842-2600 or email info [at] tdu.org.