Yellow has submitted a proposed change of operations that would move 199 Teamsters in the East, South and Central Regions. Management proposes to open 53 new bids for Premium Service Employees (PSEs, or combo jobs), as it expands its premium service operation in the East and Midsouth.

The union hearing on the change is scheduled for Jan. 22 in Myrtle Beach, S.C. The company hopes to bid just one week later, on Feb. 1. It is likely to be approved (perhaps with modifications from the union side), although a number of Teamsters are understandably suspicious of the growing use of combo jobs.

The proposal would set up three premium service hubs (Hagerstown; Md., Maybrook, N.Y.; and St Louis) and expand the existing three Midwest hubs (Coldwater, Mich.; Cincinnati; and Richfield, Ohio). Lancaster, Pa. Local 771 is slated to be hit hard, losing 126 jobs, as Hagerstown gains 90, establishing it as a new breakbulk.

The PSEs would be distributed to many end-of-line terminals, one or two each, with several concentrated at the hubs. They operate on a Sunday-Thursday bid. Cartage workers (but not road drivers) can bid at each terminal on the new combo jobs.

Yellow established the first combo drivers—allowed for the first time under the 2002 NMFA—in February 2005. They now want to expand the operation.

Technically there are two changes of operations, since PSEs must be set up as a separate board. They will be heard together by the union panel on Jan. 22. Copies of the two proposals are available at www.tdu.org.