UPDATED April 16, 2013 2:00 p.m. EDT: YRC has given another extension on its deadline to lock-out 200 union mechanics at 15 terminals. Bargaining is scheduled to continue today.

Meanwhile, the Hoffa administration has taken the company’s side, but some Teamster members are choosing solidarity instead of sorry-assity. This Teamster rank and file solidarity may be what is bringing management back to the table.

The mechanics, who are members of the International Association of Mechanics (IAM) have accepted some concessions and are bargaining over others, but have refused to take concessions equivalent to those accepted by the Teamsters Union nationally.

In a conference call on April 15 for all freight Local Unions, IBT Freight Director Tyson Johnson sided with the company, noting that the union mechanics are not going along with the “equality of sacrifice” envisioned in the Teamster memorandum of agreement.  Eastern Freight Director Ernie Soehl, always eager to please, chimed in with the same message.

But some rank and file YRC Teamsters do believe in solidarity. A number have told us that they have never crossed a picket line and don’t plan to start.

Some YRC members have suggested that at the least the International Union could call on YRC to not use the anti-union tactic of a lock-out, but continue to bargain with the mechanics’ union. Also, the Hoffa administration could offer to join the talks to help facilitate an agreement.

We encourage YRC management drop the threat of a lock-out and hammer out an agreement.