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The Right Choice


By Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa

July 11, 2008

As this year's election draws closer, we are going to hear a lot about how to improve our economy here in Michigan and across the U.S. After eight years of President Bush's policies, our government will need a plan to restore our economy to an engine that benefits all Americans, not just the wealthiest.

The Employee Free Choice Act, a law that would boost the power of America 's workers, should be a key component of our economic overhaul. It has the potential to revitalize our middle class. Our next president should make signing it into law a top priority.

Simply put, the Employee Free Choice Act would make it easier for workers to form a union at their workplace. In turn, more workers could negotiate as equals with their employers for fair wages, benefits, working conditions and retirement security for them and their families.

Under the Employee Free Choice Act, if a majority of workers at a workplace decides to sign cards stating that they want to join a union, then they have a union. The law would also provide a path for negotiating a contract with their employer and truly holds an unscrupulous employer accountable if a worker is intimidated or unjustly fired.

Union membership can make a major difference for a family. On average, workers who have a union at their workplace earn 28 percent higher wages than non-unionized workers, are 62 percent more likely to have employer-provided health coverage, and are four times as likely to have a pension. Our nation's history clearly shows that union membership is the best route to improving workers' pay rates and benefits. Unionized workers have a unified voice and the power to make a difference in their workplaces.

Unfortunately, unionization rates have declined significantly from their peak in the 1950s, when economic distribution was much more equal than it is today. Then, the middle class thrived in part because more workers were union members. There is a correlation over the past few decades. Unionization rates have decreased, just as income disparity and companies’ aggression against workers who seek to form a union have increased.

Today, the majority of CEOs have labor contracts that detail their obscene pay rates, stock options and golden parachutes—they wouldn’t work a day without their contracts. Yet CEOs and their corporations coerce and intimidate their employees who want to form a union in order to negotiate much more modest labor contracts.

Of course, not all companies do this—upstanding employers exist and they deserve respect. However, a 2005 study by the University of Chicago found that 30 percent of employers fire pro-union workers; 49 percent threaten to close a work site; 82 percent hire union-busting consultants to fight organizing drives; and 91 percent force employees to attend anti-union meetings one-on-one with supervisors.

These are the repercussions workers endure if they try to form a union today. Intimidating or firing a worker simply because he or she is exercising their right to form a union is un-American, as are coercive one-on-one meetings between a manager and an employee he or she supervises. Yet these one-on-one meetings are legal under our current, company-dominated system. In these meetings, employers use their supervisory power to coerce—after all, a supervisor has great power over an employee's working conditions.

The Employee Free Choice Act ensures that the person who conducts a worker's job evaluations, sets his or her compensation, and even determines whether he or she keeps their job doesn't decide whether workers should form a union: workers make that decision.

Considering the skyrocketing costs of gas, energy and food, working people are losing ground, not to mention health-care coverage, retirement security and jobs. They need the strength that union representation provides. As more workers across the country form unions, workers will have the strength to improve their wages and protect their benefits. There is strength in numbers, and if more workers are free to join unions then union members will be able to bargain more effectively with employers.

Good paying jobs with affordable health care and a secure retirement are pillars of the labor movement. All Americans should have the means to secure these benefits. As a key state in this year's election, we will have opportunities to talk to candidates for president and congress about this vital piece of legislation. We need to tell them that it's time to restore the American middle class. It's time to pass the Employee Free Choice Act.


 

Mr. Hoffa's commentary originally appeared in The Detroit News on July 11, 2008.

UPS Freight Workers in Illinois , Louisiana , Nevada and Virginia Sign Cards to Become Teamsters



Contact: Donna De La Cruz,
(202) 624-8721

In Latest Victory, About 100 Drivers, Dockworkers Will Join Teamsters

July 10, 2008

( Washington , D.C. ) —An overwhelming majority of about 100 workers at UPS Freight (formerly Overnite Transportation) terminals in Illinois , Louisiana , Nevada and Virginia have signed authorization cards to become Teamsters, bringing the total number of drivers and dockworkers who have signed cards to nearly 11,200 since January 16, Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa announced.

The workers will be joining Local 371 in Rock Island , Illinois ; Local 270 in New Orleans which covers the Baton Rouge terminal; Local 533 in Reno , Nevada and; Local 22 in Collinsville , Virginia , which covers the Danville terminal.

“We are closer to our goal of organizing 12,600 UPS Freight workers,” said Teamsters Package Division Director Ken Hall. “These workers deserve to be protected by a strong union that will make certain they have a secure future.”

“We would not have gotten our victory without the help of Local 391 in North Carolina and Local 175 in West Virginia , who sent us valuable material to share with UPS Freight workers,” said Local 22 Secretary-Treasurer Michael Hughes. “Organizers in both of those Locals were instrumental in our victory.”

“We’re proud to welcome these UPS Freight workers to the Teamsters,” said Local 371 President Howard Spoon. “We look forward to representing this strong, dedicated group of UPS Freight workers.”

“The card-check agreement made this victory possible and if the Employee Free Choice Act gets passed by Congress, the Teamsters could see victories like at UPS Freight at numerous companies,” said Local 270 President David Negrotto. 

“This victory has been a long time coming, and we are happy to be part of the largest organizing campaign in the freight industry in decades,” said Local 533 Secretary-Treasurer Mark Tracy.

In April, more than 89 percent of UPS Freight workers who are already Teamster members ratified a new contract, which improves wages, benefits and working conditions.

 

 

Workers in Florida and Vermont Seek Union Membership at UPS Freight



An Overwhelming Majority of Workers Plan to Join Locals 79 and 597

Contact: Galen Munroe
(202) 624-6904
 

February 1, 2008

( Washington , D.C. ) – An overwhelming majority of about 120 workers at the UPS Freight (formerly Overnite Transportation) terminals in Tampa and Fort Myers , Florida , and in Burlington , Vermont have signed authorization cards to become Teamsters, bringing the total number of drivers and dockworkers seeking to join the union to about 3,600 since January 16, Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa announced.

The Florida workers are seeking to join Local 79 in Tampa , while the Vermont workers will be joining Local 597 in South Barre, Vermont .

“Our UPS and freight members have done a great job developing a relationship with the UPS Freight workers, and communicating with them,” said Ken Wood, President of Teamsters Local 79 and an International Union Vice President. “Our members who helped out are very excited that their hard work paid off. I look forward to welcoming the UPS Freight workers to our local very soon.”

The Vermont victory marks the final UPS Freight terminal in New England where cards have been submitted for certification. On January 16, the union announced that a majority of workers at seven other locations in New England had submitted cards.

“With the UPS Freight workers in Vermont taking this step toward a more secure future, now a majority of all the UPS Freight workers in New England have taken that step,” said Dave Laughton, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Joint Council 10 who has helped lead the New England campaign.

“These latest worker victories once again are happening thanks to the efforts of our UPS and our freight members, who continue to do a great job talking about the benefits of being Teamsters,” said Ken Hall, Director of the Teamsters Package Division and International Union Vice President.

In addition to the Florida and Vermont workers, a majority of UPS Freight workers in Arizona , Fresno , Atlanta , Newburgh , Farmingdale, Louisville , Lexington , Milwaukee , Minneapolis , Southern California, Oakland , Seattle , New England, Memphis and Detroit have submitted cards to become Teamsters.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States , Canada and Puerto Rico .

 

 

ABF Agrees to Be Bound by 2008-2013 National Freight Standards Agreement



Company Will Sign Proposed Pact, Protecting Drivers and Dockworkers

Contact: Galen Munroe
(202) 624-6904

January 30, 2008

( Washington , D.C. ) – ABF Freight System, Inc. has agreed to the Teamster Union’s demand that the company should agree to be bound by the proposed 2008-2013 Teamsters National Freight Industry Standards, which will protect union members’ futures.

By agreeing to be bound by the proposed standards, ABF employees’ health, welfare and pension benefits will be protected. Also, ABF employees’ wages and working conditions will improve, as well as their job security.

“We are pleased that ABF has agreed to be bound by the 2008-2013 Teamsters National Freight Industry Standards because it will protect our members’ futures,” said Tyson Johnson, Director of the Teamsters National Freight Division and lead negotiator of the proposed agreement. “Improving and protecting our members’ wages, benefits and working conditions are our top priority. I urge all Teamster freight members to approve the tentative agreement.”

The tentative agreement, also known as the National Master Freight Agreement, provides record benefit contributions from employers that will help protect health, welfare and pension benefits.

Members are voting on the agreement now, and ballots are due February 8.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States , Canada and Puerto Rico .

 

UPS Freight Workers in Kentucky Sign Cards to Become Teamsters



An Overwhelming Majority of Workers Seek To Join Locals 89, 651 

Contact: Galen Munroe
(202) 439-7427

January 25, 2008

( Wash ington , D.C. ) – An overwhelming majority of about 300 workers at the UPS Freight (formerly Overnite Transportation) terminals in Louisville and Lexington , in Kentucky , have signed authorization cards to become Teamsters, bringing the total number of drivers and dockworkers seeking to join the union to about 2,500 since last week, Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa announced.

“As more and more cards are submitted to the arbitrator for certification, more and more workers are on their way to a more secure future at UPS Freight,” Hoffa said.

“Our goal is to organize 12,600 drivers and dockworkers at UPS Freight, and just two weeks into the campaign the majority of 20 percent of the workers have taken the step forward to win a strong voice at work,” said Ken Hall, Director of the Teamsters Package Division.

The Louisville workers are seeking to join Local 89, while the Lexington workers are seeking to join Local 651.

“Once the workers are certified as Teamsters, I look forward to negotiating a strong contract that protects their interests,” said Fred Zuckerman, President of Louisville-based Local 89.

“I want to thank all the UPS Freight workers, our organizers and Vice President Ken Hall for all their help in this campaign,” said John Roush, President of Lexington-based Local 651.

In addition to the workers in Louisville and Lexington , a majority of UPS Freight workers in Milwaukee , Minneapolis , Southern California, Oakland , Seattle , New England, Memphis and Detroit have submitted cards to become Teamsters.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States , Canada and Puerto Rico .

NMFA Ballots Mailed to Freight Members

Ballots Must Be Received By February 8

January 16, 2008

Ballots for the proposed changes to the National Master Freight Agreement and supplements were mailed to freight Teamsters on January 15.

To be counted, all ballots must be received at the Lanham, Maryland post office by 10 a.m. Friday, February 8.

If freight members don’t receive a ballot by Tuesday, January 22, they should call their local union to request a ballot. The deadline for requesting a ballot will be noon (Eastern Time) on Friday, February 1.

Freight Teamsters are encouraged to call their local union as soon as possible starting January 22 to make sure they get to exercise their right to vote.

Complete voting instructions were included in the ballot package.

The tentative, five-year national agreement contains wage and benefit increases of $7.20 per hour and protects existing Teamster jobs.

Several fact sheets aimed at setting the record straight have been posted to the "Freight Update" section of the Teamster web site. Click on the “Freight Update” button on the right side of the main page to access the information and to check for the latest updates.

 

Leaders of Freight Local Unions Overwhelmingly Endorse Tentative Agreement

Contract Delivers Solid Economic Gains for Members

January 8, 2008

Leaders of freight local unions from across the country overwhelmingly endorsed the tentative National Master Freight Agreement on Tuesday, January 8 in Washington , D.C. , paving the way for members to vote on the contract later this month. About 300 leaders were in attendance, and all but one voted to recommend ratification.

Ballots will be mailed out to members on January 14 and 15, and members must return their postmarked ballots by Friday, February 8 in order for their votes to count. The current contract expires March 31, 2008.

“While the long-haul trucking industry is operating in a difficult economic environment, this tentative agreement protects existing jobs, maintains a strong wage and benefit package and provides new language allowing growth at the largest carriers,” said Tyson Johnson, Director of the Teamsters National Freight Division and lead negotiator.

The solid economic gains in the five-year agreement include a record $5 per hour increase in health, welfare and pension contributions, wages increases of $2.20 per hour and 5.5 cents per mile over the life of the agreement, retaining the COLA, and improved sick leave.

Local unions will be hosting membership meetings this weekend to inform members about the agreement.

 

Teamsters Reach Tentative Agreement Covering More Than 230,000 Workers at UPS



Contract Improves Wages and Significantly Increases Pension and Health and Welfare Contributions to Benefit Funds


Contact: Bret Caldwell,
Leigh Strope,
(202) 624-6911

September 30, 2007

(Chicago) -- The Teamsters Union and UPS have reached a tentative agreement for a new five-year national contract for parcel workers that raises wages and will significantly increase the company's contributions to funds that provide pension and health and welfare benefits to Teamster members, Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa said today.

The agreement was negotiated during the past year, and is reached in advance of an October 1 deadline set by the union to reach an early agreement. The current contract does not expire until July 31, 2008. Upon ratification, most provisions of the new agreement will take effect on August 1, 2008.

"We made it very clear to the company that we needed to reach a tentative agreement by October 1 so that our members could ratify a contract before new pension rules that could adversely affect our members take effect on January 1, 2008," said Hoffa, co-chairman of the Union's National UPS Negotiating Committee. "We met that deadline and have negotiated an agreement that will greatly benefit our members at UPS as well as Teamster members in other industries covered by pension and health and welfare funds that will receive the contribution increases."

The agreement allows UPS to withdraw from the Central States Pension Fund and creates a jointly-administered pension fund for affected members. UPS will make a pre-tax $6.1 billion payment to the Central States Plan and will also fully fund the new Plan.

"We launched early negotiations for the national contract a year ago after members made it clear that they wanted the union to protect their pensions and health care for retirees and active workers," said Ken Hall, Director of the Teamsters Parcel and Small Package Division who also was co-chairman of the committee and lead negotiator. "This tentative agreement provides more funding for pensions and protects our members' health care, among other improvements."

"This is a proud day for the Teamsters. While workers wages, benefits and working conditions continue to come under attack by other employers, we have taken steps to improve and protect our UPS members for years to come," Hoffa said.

More details of the tentative agreement will be available at Teamste.org in the coming days. Representatives of each UPS local union will meet on October 11 in San Diego to review the agreement. Following that meeting, members will vote by mail on the contract with results expected in early December.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States and Canada.

 

Teamsters, UPS Reach Tentative Agreement at UPS Freight in Indianapolis



Contract Will Serve as National Model to Organize Workers Nationwide


Contact: Bret Caldwell,
Leigh Strope,
(202) 624-6911

September 30, 2007

(Chicago) -- The Teamsters Union and UPS Freight (formerly Overnite Transportation) reached a tentative agreement for their first contract ever, an agreement that will improve wages and benefits and will serve as a national model to organize thousands of other company employees nationwide, Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa announced today.

The contract, which covers 125 drivers and dockworkers in Indianapolis, will also provide employees the protections of a grievance procedure to fight unfair management decisions, something workers have fought hard to achieve.

"For more than five decades, the workers at UPS Freight and its predecessor, Overnite Transportation, have fought for Teamster representation," Hoffa said. "Today is historic because an agreement has been reached for a contract that will finally give workers a strong say on the job and the protections our other freight members have. A half-century battle is coming to an end, and we have gained strong momentum to organize throughout the freight industry, and FedEx Freight is next."

The workers, who are members of Local 135 in Indianapolis, expressed relief about the tentative contract.

"I hope our coworkers at UPS Freight across the country will join us by forming a union with the Teamsters," said Jesse Nicholson, a road driver and 20-year employee. "Being a Teamster means protections, support and being part of an organization that fights for you."

"Now our protections and rights will be spelled out and guaranteed in a Teamster contract," said Neal Hylton, a hostler and 21-year employee.

"Having an agreement is a big relief," said Dave Osborn, a city driver and 24-year employee. "We've wanted it for so long and worked so hard to achieve.

 

DRIVE


Democrat, Republican, Independent Voter Education
 

Big Business spends big money in Washington to influence members of Congress and push their anti-worker plans. They outspend working families on politics by more than 15-1.

Through grassroots political action and aggressive lobbying on Capitol Hill and in State Houses and City Halls across America, Teamsters have stopped some of the worst attacks on working people.

But Big Business is pushing their agenda harder than ever. That means we have to fight back stronger than ever. And we have to move forward with our own programs, like improving job safety, fighting for affordable childcare, and stopping abuses by corporate health providers and insurance companies.

You can take a stand for working families by contributing to DRIVE – the Teamsters’ political action committee. Your contribution will support grassroots action by Teamster families to stand up to Big Business interests.

And your membership to DRIVE will help elect political candidates who care about working people.

Contributions to DRIVE support a wide range of Teamster activities:

·         Keeping members and their families informed on the key issues that affect our future, including voter guides that show the records of our Senators and Representatives in Congress.

·         Rallies, news conferences, advertisements, and phone banks to build support on issues of concern to working people.

·         Voter registration, and financial support for political candidates who will stand up for working families. DRIVE is non-partisan and independent from any political party.

Click here to download DRIVE fliers on important issues.

NOTE: Federal Law prohibits soliciting or accepting DRIVE contributions from the general public. Only Teamster members, exempt Teamster employees and the family members of both groups are allowed to contribute to DRIVE. Any contributions from the general public will be returned to the donor.

Send your comments to: DRIVE@teamster.org

 

UPS Negotiations Update

May 10, 2007

The following is a statement from Ken Hall, Director of the Teamsters Parcel and Small Package Division and Co-Chairman of the National UPS Negotiating Committee

The Teamsters Union entered into early negotiations with UPS with the central objective of protecting our members’ pensions and health care.

The Negotiating Committee presented an economic proposal to UPS at the end of March, which included a demand for an increase in health and welfare and pension contributions of $2 per hour in the first year. Our proposal also included significant increases in wages and other economic conditions.

When National Master negotiations resumed after a break in which the supplemental committees met, United Parcel Service responded to our economic package with its own opening offer. What will capture the headlines is an offer to create a new, joint Teamsters-Company pension plan to cover full-time UPS employees who currently obtain their pension benefits from the Central States Fund.

In the past, the Company has attempted to create a Company plan that it would administer by itself. The current proposal would create a plan jointly administered by UPS and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters with an equal number of Teamster-appointed and Company trustees.

The Company also proposed increases in pension and health and welfare contributions for other benefit funds covering UPS members. While smaller than the Union's demands, the Company proposal is greater than the amounts contained in the 2002-2008 contract.

The Company proposes to pay in a lump sum the withdrawal liability owed to the Central States pension fund, an amount subject to negotiation between the Company and that Fund. The Company contends that depositing a large amount of money into the Fund will improve its stability and protect the Fund from some of the requirements of the Pension Protection Act of 2006, which will go into effect in 2008. These determinations require complicated economic calculations. The Teamsters Negotiating Committee has retained its own actuaries to examine the figures that have been received from Central States in order to independently determine the impact on the Fund if the Company withdrew.

I can assure you that the Negotiating Committee will not consider any plan that jeopardizes the benefits of members in Central States or members of any other Teamster fund. The Company’s proposal is not a negotiating tactic. It is a serious proposal that must be seriously evaluated and compared with the other options available for improving and protecting the pension benefits of our members.

The Company’s pension proposal is included in a wide range of contract changes which the Company wants to offset the cost of the new plan. These proposals are almost universally unacceptable. Most of them are too farfetched to even discuss at this point because the Negotiating Committee will never bring them back to the members or trade away these contract protections. 

In summary, at this point in negotiations, we have made progress on a number of non-economic issues and still have significant non-economic issues open on the table. Each side has an opening economic proposal on the table. Each side has some serious aspects of its proposal that require consideration, and that is certainly what the proposal on the pension funds deserves. I urge Teamster members to not fall for unfounded rumors but to count on the communications you receive from your International Union as we move forward in these negotiations. We will be studying these issues and will keep you advised as we develop the information we need to determine whether some, or any, of these proposals help solve the problems that brought us to the table.

 

May 25, 2007, 1:18PM
 Iraq Bill Restricts Mexican Truck Access

By DAN CATERINICCHIA AP Business Writer
© 2007 The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Provisions to delay a White House plan, giving trucks from Mexico unrestricted access to U.S. highways, are in the $120 billion Iraq spending bill President Bush is expected to sign Friday.

Congress passed the revised spending bill Thursday, providing $95 billion for U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan through September. It does not include a troop withdrawal timeline favored by Democrats that drew Bush's veto once before.

The legislation also includes several requirements, such as a certification from the Department of Transportation inspector general verifying safety and inspection requirements before the Mexican truck pilot can start. The Bush administration wanted to start a one-year pilot this year, and if successful, fully open the border to Mexican trucks.

Teamsters President Jim Hoffa praised Congress for restricting "the Bush administration's reckless plan to throw open our borders to unsafe Mexican trucks ... (and) for acting quickly to keep our roads safe."

In addition to questioning whether Mexican trucks and drivers can meet U.S. safety standards, lawmakers are concerned about the program eliminating jobs for American truckers. The Teamsters, the Sierra Club, Public Citizen and the Environmental Law Foundation last month sued in federal court to block the pilot.

Rafael Laveaga, communication director at the Mexican Embassy in Washington, Friday declined comment beyond remarks he made earlier this month about the provisions. Citing the North American Free Trade Agreement, he said then the House's action raised questions "about the commitment of most of its members to comply with international trade obligations."

The Mexican truck provisions in the war spending bill came from a House of Representatives bill passed overwhelmingly on May 15. That bill, sponsored by Rep. Nancy Boyda, D-Kan., tightened restrictions on trucks traveling into the U.S.

Boyda is pleased that most of the Mexican trucking provisions were included in the Iraq spending bill, her spokesman said Friday.

Rep. James L. Oberstar, D-Minn., chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Rep. Peter A. DeFazio, D-Ore., chair of the highways subcommittee, also welcomed the restrictions, but said they intend to pursue stronger House legislation that would prevent the Bush administration from expanding the pilot.

 

UPS Freight Talks ‘Going Well’

Both Sides Agree On Numerous Non-Economic Items

March 22, 2007

The Teamsters’ UPS Freight Negotiating Committee made steady progress during negotiations March 12-14, reaching agreement on 12 articles related to working conditions. More talks have been scheduled.

The committee, meeting with UPS Freight outside of Washington, D.C., made progress on non-economic items—language related to working conditions.

Both sides are close to agreeing on a number of other non-economic articles.

“The talks are going well and, based upon the pace of the latest talks, we are confident a strong agreement for the UPS Freight members in Indianapolis can be reached,” said Ken Hall, Director of the Teamsters Parcel and Small Package Division, who is co-chairman of the negotiating committee.

“The negotiations in Indianapolis for our members at Local 135 will result in providing them with the same kind of strong contract language freight and UPS Teamsters currently enjoy,” said Gordon Sweeton, Assistant Director of the Teamsters National Freight Division, also co-chairman of the committee.

“All of our members here at Local 135 are excited about the progress that is being made,” said Jeff Combs, Local 135’s organizer. “They know they will have a strong voice soon in the form of a Teamster contract."

The negotiations will cover 125 drivers and dockworkers in Indianapolis. However, the Indianapolis contract will be a model national contract to organize the 300 other UPS Freight terminals nationwide.

Talks will resume April 16 to April 19.

Don't Sell Our Roads

by Teamsters, Fri Dec 15, 2006 at 08:33:54 AM EST

Selling roads and unionized infrastructure is a horrible idea. It destroys progressive institutions (unions) and creates a new funding stream for reactionary corporate power. That's a violation of rules 7 and 8 in building a progressive America. - Matt

Does anybody really think this is a good idea? More and more states are selling off or leasing toll roads to corporations. A plan is already on the table in Pennsylvania, and according to a Boston Globe editorial, Gov.-elect Deval Patrick will likely face a similar decision in Massachusetts.

The Globe is against the idea, as we all should be. It's bad for safety, it's bad for states and it's bad for workers.

About 500 Teamsters could be affected if Mass. sells the turnpike.

About 1,600 Teamsters could also lose their jobs in Pennsylvania if that deal goes through. So who do you think the new owners will hire to maintain the roads? Our workers, but in nonunion positions and at reduced wages and benefits.

Here's the letter Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa sent to Rendell:


 Dear Governor Rendell:
I am writing to urge you not to sell or lease the Pennsylvania Turnpike. I realize that most states face a tough fiscal environment when it comes to funding transportation. However, divesting of a valuable public asset is a bad idea. Such an action would hurt the citizens of Pennsylvania and Turnpike workers.Turning over control of the Turnpike to a private corporation means surrendering future toll revenue for a one-shot budget fix. This may get the state through a couple of fiscal years with less pain, but what about the future? Without the steady revenue that the Turnpike provides, Pennsylvania taxpayers will be asked to pay more down the road.

Such a situation is unfair, especially since the citizens already did the heavy lifting. With taxpayers' dollars, the government purchased the land and constructed and maintained the Turnpike for years. Now, private companies may have an opportunity to swoop in to reap large profits. To sell off the Turnpike demonstrates a lack of political will to properly run a moneymaking operation and accountability for employing government resources for the good of the state.

A foreign-owned company will likely purchase the Turnpike. Foreign investors have proven to be more than willing to buy pieces of the U.S. transportation infrastructure. After all, turnpikes and toll roads and bridges are essentially monopolies with enormous growth potential. The trend points toward more people on the roads and rising toll rates.

Foreign-owned companies already either own or lease roads and bridges
in Indiana, Virginia, Indiana, Illinois, New Jersey, Texas, and Alabama.

I am opposed to foreign ownership of our transportation assets. The United States should maintain and protect its valuable infrastructure because it makes economic sense. Patrick Bauer, the Indiana House's Democratic leader, made a perceptive point about Indiana's of its toll road to an Australian-Spanish partnership when he stated:

In five, maybe 10 years, all that money is gone, and the tolls keep rising and the money keeps flowing into the foreign coffers. (Foreign Companies Buy U.S.Roads, Bridges, Associated Press, 07/15/06)

In all likelihood, the selling of the Turnpike will result in money and good jobs leaving Pennsylvania and the United States. No public official has a right to place roads and bridges that belong to the citizens on the open market.

More than 1,500 Teamsters work for the Pennsylvania Turnpike. What will
happen to these hardworking, dedicated men and women if a private corporation buys or leases the Turnpike? In too many similar cases, a new employer fires the workers and then rehires them at lower wages and fewer benefits. We need to protect good-paying Pennsylvania jobs.

Placing the Turnpike up for sale is the wrong thing to do. Do not try to fix a longterm problem with a short-term solution. I urge you to find a way to fund transportation projects while keeping control of the Turnpike, protecting Turnpike workers and allowing the citizens of Pennsylvania to benefit from the infrastructure they paid for.

Sincerely,
James P. Hoffa
General President

(link to the pdf: http://www.teamster.org/action/political /otherpdfs/061207_rendellletter.pdf)

 

Hoffa Statement on Results of 2006 Mid-Term Elections



November 8, 2006

 (Washington, D.C.)— Today, working families have new reason to believe in the ability of their government to better their lives, as Teamster endorsed candidates across the country prevailed at the ballot box yesterday. I congratulate the victors and thank the thousands of Teamster members who invested countless hours over many months to help elect a pro-working families Congress.

Now is the time for action on issues such as universal health care, retirement security, the Employee Free Choice Act, fair trade agreements, safe highways and national security. This new Congress must reverse action on the Bush administration’s misplaced priorities.

This election marks an opportunity to move our domestic agenda in a markedly different direction. It is an opportunity to cease the global race to the bottom resulting from the endless series of job-killing trade pacts passed by Congress. It is an opportunity to give all working Americans access to affordable, quality healthcare. It is an opportunity to raise the minimum wage. It is an opportunity to promote the rights of workers who want to join a union.

Over the years, I have had many conversations with Representative Nancy Pelosi and Senator Harry Reid about how Democratic control of Congress could directly benefit the lives of working Americans. I commend them for their leadership throughout this campaign and congratulate their success in electing Democratic majorities in the House and, possibly, the Senate.

But the truly difficult task still lies ahead. I look forward to working with Rep. Pelosi and Sen. Reid to move our pro-worker, pro-union agenda through Congress. In particular, I commit that the Teamsters are willing to work overtime to help enact key provisions of Rep. Pelosi’s “First Hundred Hours” plan, including a raise in the minimum wage and changing in the Medicare prescription drug program that will lower the cost of medications.

The votes of working families made a difference at the ballot box. We must now make sure this new Congress makes a real difference in their lives.

 

FedEx Home Delivery Drivers in Massachusetts Vote to Join Teamsters



Two Locations Become First Teamster Units in FedEx Home Delivery System

November 17, 2006

 

 

(Wilmington, MA) – FedEx Home Delivery drivers at two locations in Wilmington, Massachusetts, voted 24-8 to overwhelmingly choose Teamsters Local 25 in Boston as their bargaining representative, as ballots they cast a month ago were counted today by the National Labor Relations Board.

The workers are the first units in the FedEx Home Delivery system, a subsidiary of FedEx Ground, to win Teamster representation. Since 1988, the NLRB has ruled seven times that FedEx Ground and Home Delivery drivers are not independent contractors as the company alleges, giving them the right as employees to form a union.

“This is a great day for these workers,” said Sean O’Brien, President of Teamsters Local 25. “Their voice was finally heard despite every effort by FedEx to silence them. I look forward to securing a first contract for these drivers that will ensure they are treated like the employees both we and the company know they are.”

FedEx Ground employed stall tactics during the past month in an attempt to deny the drivers their federally protected right to join a union. Its final attempt was quashed when the NLRB refused to reconsider its ruling that ordered the October 20 representation election, paving the way for today’s vote count.

“This vote sends one clear and simple message to FedEx – the free ride is over,” said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa. “These workers and this union will not stand by idly by while FedEx rakes in profits and avoids its responsibilities to the workers and their communities by exploiting this phony independent contractor model.”

The Teamsters Union represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women, including workers at UPS, UPS Freight and DHL.

 

Working Families Flex Their Muscles


Congress Must Raise Minimum Wage, Fix Health Care and Push Labor Laws

By Teamsters President Jim Hoffa

November 10, 2006

Working Americans harnessed their power on Tuesday and realigned national priorities. Make no mistake; this is a major victory that illustrates workers' formidable power at the voting booth and their refusal to be blindly led by the Bush administration and its congressional cronies.

Workers and their unions secured major victories across the country, propelling Gov. Jennifer Granholm and U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow to victory here in Michigan, as well as in states with a concentration of working families, such as Ohio and Pennsylvania, where Democrats gained at least four seats in the House and two in the Senate.

Work on New Agenda

While our new leaders have our full support, they must acknowledge the needs of working Americans. We need action on issues such as universal health care, retirement security, the Employee Free Choice Act, fair trade agreements, safe highways and national security—this big list is an unfortunate consequence of six years of the Bush administration's misplaced priorities.

The dream that any American can work full-time and earn enough for his or her famil