April 2, 2009: USF Holland Teamsters displaced by the closing of 11 terminals will be given first-hire rights at nearby New Penn or YRC terminals.

The decision of the change of operations hearing of March 25 includes these provisions: 1) Holland Teamsters at closed terminals will be first-hired at designated New Penn and YRC terminals that pick up the work, with the first day worked being their new seniority date, 2) they will retain full seniority for vacation duration, and 3) they will not have to go through a wage progression. However, employees called to work after April 3, 2012, will lose their vacation weeks and have to go through a new-hire progression.

You can access the full decision here.

Two of the 11 closed terminals—Philadelphia and Harrisburg—have over 50 employees, enough to trigger the WARN act. Those Teamsters will receive about six weeks pay as well as pension and H&W contributions. New York has a recently enacted state WARN Act, which may help upstate New York Holland Teamsters.

It remains to be seen how many of the 300 affected Teamsters will gain employment. It depends on how much of the freight New Penn and YRC pick up. New Penn has been calling back laid off employees as they gain Holland freight in the northeast.

What do you think? Click here to contact the TDU Freight Committee.