August 23, 2007: Freight wages have fallen drastically, measured against the cost of living, in the past ten years.
In April 1997, a freight Teamster (Central Supplement) made $18.11 per hour.
If that wage rate had just kept up with inflation, today it would be $23.55. The wage today is only $22.11. That’s a $1.44 per hour wage cut in your standard of living.
It’s time for some catch up.
The Teamsters joined the United Autoworkers (UAW) and five other international unions representing members at the largest U.S. defense contracts in a letter calling on Congress to ban defense contractors from funneling money to Wall Street investors through stock buybacks and dividends instead of investing in jobs and infrastructure.
Amazon drivers at the company’s DBK1 facility in New York City marched on the boss to demand union recognition and better pay, healthcare, and job security.
