June 22, 2012: Organizers employed by the International union have voted to unionize, and on June 21 the NLRB regional director ruled that the objections to the vote by the Hoffa administration lack merit. 

On May 29 the vote count was 18-16 in favor of FAIR, the Federation of Agents and International Representatives. The International union then filed exceptions to the vote with the NLRB, claiming that five ballots were not received in the mail. However, it was the Hoffa administration which insisted on a strict ballot deadline.

Now that the NLRB regional director has made a decision, it is not clear if the Hoffa administration will continue to appeal the certification of the unionization vote. The organizers’ union steering committee issued a statement saying it is time to “come together for the greater good of all of us and the great work we do as Teamsters.”

Hoffa operatives fought hard against the unionization effort. They refused a request to remain neutral or agree to card-check. They held one-on-one meetings and issued nasty warnings that those in favor of unionizing were disloyal and would not be welcomed by Teamster locals during organizing drives.

There has been a lot of dissent among organizers and other IBT staff regarding favoritism, pay disparity and complaints about political hacks being promoted. The organizers’ main goal is to obtain “just cause” protection regarding discharge.