February 10, 2008: Most of the 39,000 votes on the NMFA have been counted, and the national contract is passing by nearly a 2-1 margin.

The joint company-union campaign of fear and despair convinced most freight Teamsters that they had to accept it.

In many areas, the majority said No. These include some of our stronger locals, such as Detroit Local 299, Cleveland Local 407, Cincinnati Local 100, Milwaukee Local 200, Rockford Local 325, New Jersey Freight Local 641, Atlanta Local 728, Seattle Local 174, Portland Local 81, San Francisco Local 85, Philadelphia Local 107, Pittsburgh Local 249, and the Central Pennsylvania region.

Click here to view the local-by-local results.

Nor Cal Supplement Rejected

The supplemental agreement for Joint Council 7, covering Northern California, was rejected. In addition, the Carolina shop and mechanics supplement was also rejected. Thus the NMFA has not yet been ratified. Those supplemental agreements will need to be improved and then resubmitted to the rank and file for approval.

Most freight Teamsters believe in solidarity and Teamster power. They want to say No to concessions and moving backward. But that sentiment was not strong enough to defeat the all-out campaign for concessions, which convinced members that the present IBT leadership would not negotiate anything better.

The positive development has been the growth of a national network of freight Teamsters who want to build a stronger Teamsters Union in freight and trucking. Teamsters for a Democratic Union and Freight2008.org will continue to be a source of information, communication and inspiration for Teamsters in the heart of our union.

Click here to view the vote count results.

Concerned Teamsters in TDU will keep working to rebuild Teamster Power in freight. Click here to send a question, comment, or message to Teamsters for a Democratic Union and Freight2008.