Will Decertifications Make the Teamsters Back Off?

I've heard that some people believe that the union is going to quit because a few workers at a few terminals have filed for a decertification election.

Click on this link for a copy of one of the flyers that I got from the Teamster organizers at the gate in Orange.

Looks to me like the workers at the Modesto terminal don't think that the guy who filed the petition, Anthony Rodriguez, speaks for them. It looks to me like the guys who signed the petition are thinking for themselves.

http://savefile.com/projects/808503781

Letter of Support from Roadway Workers

Tonight, one of the organizers emailed me a copy of a letter that more than 50 drivers and dockworkers at the Roadway terminal in Orange signed. You can download both pages by clicking on these links (sorry about the advertising; it's a free service)
http://savefile.com/files/783974
http://savefile.com/files/783975

For those who can't download, here is the text of the letter:

An open letter to USF Reddaway workers from Roadway workers:

We, the undersigned Roadway employees, support your efforts to join the Teamsters Union.

Yellow Roadway Corporation (YRC), the parent company for both of our employers, recruits new employees on their website www.bestdriverswanted.com with the following statement:

“…our better wages attract and retain employees who bring extra quality, productivity and savings...the benefits of a better trained, better retained, safer work force create the highest levels of customer service and flow to our bottom line. Our management and the Teamsters have been partners. The challenge is to make our partnership work for everyone who has a stake in our success - customers, employees, local communities, and shareholders.”

It’s clear that YRC management considers the Teamsters Union critical to the profitability of the corporation. Just like us, you deserve the improved working conditions that are guaranteed under a strong union contract.

A Message from a Teamster Union Member who works at Roadway Express

Click on the play button to see this statement from Bob Block, one of a number of Roadway Express workers who will be supporting the effort of USF Reddaway workers to form a union.

Copy of Update Flyer

[The following was scanned from the flyer that was distributed at the Orange terminal this afternoon. It seems to me that it would be a big mistake to fail to sign a card now.

The Teamsters have come a long way, but they can negotiate a better deal for everybody if the company understands that all the terminals are on board, not just the seven terminals who have been recognized.]

(Teamsters Freight Division Logo)

All the Way at USF Reddaway

We heard your request for more involvement. Our efforts have been focused on
fighting for gains at the bargaining table. We need you, our Teamster members,
working together to make this a solid contract at USF Reddaway.

The contract covers you and hundreds of your coworkers who organized for
power at seven former USF Bestway terminals in California, Arizona and New
Mexico.

You will ultimately vote on the contract. In the meantime, we have already
won the following gains at the bargaining table:

§ Protections against excessive subcontracting—making Reddaway accountable
for all linehaul jobs and delivery areas;
§ Excellent grievance procedure and dispute resolution process that ensures a
worker’s rights on the job are respected and that the company adheres to the
contract;
§ Clear and realistic formula for obtaining full-time work with full-time benefits
(hours/days worked);
§ Protection against job loss if further corporate consolidations or redomicilings
occur;
§ Easier process for bringing new terminals under contract, and
§ Written recognition of seniority protection, layover rules, availability of leaves
of absence, recall rights

What we are still fighting for:

§ Superior hourly and mileage-rate increases;
§ Locked in health and welfare benefits for the duration of the contract;
§ Improvements in retirement protection, including the establishment of a superior
defined benefit plan;
§ Clear process for order of call;
§ Locked in holiday, vacation and sick leave benefits;
§ Guaranteed formulas for calculating applicable hourly and mileage rates, and
§ Parity with other areas of operations within USF Reddaway and
Yellow/Roadway networks so one carrier can’t be played against another.

For more information, contact Teamster Organizers Andy Budai
at (714) 740-6248 or Jeff Sweet at (714) 740-6230

Answer to Criticisms about Teamster Pension

It seems that there's some misinformation going around about the Teamster Pension. I've been told that, because workers at the Orange terminal are located in California, we would participate in the Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trust (WCTPT), not the Central States (which has had problems, to be sure.)

Here's what the Chairman of the Employer Caucus said about the financial health of the WCTPT:

Our Plan’s enrolled actuary, as well as a separate independent actuarial firm retained by the Trust, has advised the Trustees that as of January 1, 2006, the Trust no longer has an unfunded vested benefit liability (UVBL). This means there is no withdrawal liability for employers who withdraw from the Plan in 2006.

Check out the main website (on the left). You'll find that the fund is in such good shape that they've improved the accrual rate significantly.

Sounds to me like this criticism of the Teamsters Pension is just another attempt to spread doubt and confusion and delay our effort to get the respect we deserve.

This is a recent picture of the Fullerton terminal (former site of USF Reddaway until they moved to Orange). You'll notice the large number of trailers. Use of this facility will supposedly be dedicated to Home Depot, as soon as phone and internet lines are installed. Any comments?

I'm a senior driver with Reddaway. I've done both line and local. I was originally a Bestway driver. Yet, I'm very happy that Reddaway took over and has begun to fix our problems. The sales reps say we are already making money ahead of schedule. It was a very wise thing for Reddaway to get rid of ten bad Bestway terminals right away. The Reddaway business model is leaner, tougher, and smarter.

I'm proud to be a Reddaway driver. We have a great future together. We work for USF Reddaway, our parent company is Yellow/Roadway or YRC. There are over 80,000 employees nationwide. Over 77,000 of them union. We are the last 2500 employees, which are not yet union. The Teamsters are over 95% of our company. Most of Reddaway is already Teamsters. Reddaway makes money in states where the Teamsters represent the workers while paying higher union wages and benefits. If they can be profitable in Washington and Colorado with union benefits, why would you believe we won't?

The truth is; Southern Califoria is the bread basket of the company. We make more money is this 100 square mile area, than any other 5 states combined. Even Bestway, with all its problem areas, made a lot of money in Southern California. If any portion of the company deserves better benefits for all its hard work, its us right here. Every driver and dockworker deserves Teamster benefits and pension. Not because somebody is giving it to you, but because you EARNED it!!!

Please take part in the blog. Leave your comments for or againest the union. Let's keep it peaceful. No anger, profanity, or threats. We all have to work together the next day.