November 14, 2008: Oak Harbor Freight is refusing to bargain in good faith.
Striking Teamsters are turning up the heat and making the company pay.
Over 600 drivers in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho have been on strike since Sept. 22 over unfair labor practices at the regional freight carrier.
Company revenue is down 35 percent since the beginning of the strike—and they have temporarily lost half their customers.
Striking drivers have sent roving pickets to follow Oak Harbor deliveries and picket their deliveries, and sympathetic Teamsters have honored their picket lines.
Finding Allies
The union is also reaching out to community and student groups. Last month, strikers and United Students Against Sweatshops dropped a giant banner outside of The GAP’s corporate headquarters—one of Oak Harbor’s biggest customers.Oak Harbor Teamsters haven’t had a contract since October 2007.
Management continues bargaining in bad faith, refusing to respond to union proposals, and demanding the elimination of retiree healthcare coverage.
Teamster officials met with management on Nov. 7. But according to reports, the company rejected most of the union proposals and didn’t offer any counter-proposals.
The National Labor Relations Board is considering declaring the strike an unfair labor practice strike, which would prevent the company from permanently replacing strikers.
Take action. Click here to send a message to The GAP, Oak Harbor’s biggest customer.