FREIGHT
March 28, 2008
The final supplement to the National Master Freight Agreement, Joint Council 7 in Northern California, was ratified today by a 195–104 vote. The NMFA and all supplements have now been ratified by the members. The new agreement and all supplements will be implemented on Tuesday, April 1, 2008.
“We are pleased to have an agreement in place as the previous contract expires,” said Tyson Johnson, National Freight Director and International Vice President. “This is a strong contract that the members can be proud of as we look forward to growing our presence in the freight industry.”
Five-Year Contract Protects Workers' Benefits, Will Help Union Companies Compete
February 10, 2008
(Washington, D.C.) - Teamster freight members overwhelmingly ratified the 2008-2013 National Master Freight Agreement NMFA) that protects existing Teamster jobs, maintains a strong wage and benefit package and provides new language to allow the largest unionized carriers a chance to better compete, which will give Teamsters more job security.
“This is a landmark contract because we won many economic gains despite this poor economy, and we have taken steps to allow the largest unionized companies a better chance to compete against the non-union competition," said Tyson Johnson, Director of the Teamsters National Freight Division.
"This contract provides a more secure future for the 70,000 Teamsters covered by the NMFA and their families," Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa said.
The NMFA was ratified by a 67-percent margin. In addition, all but two of the 22 regional agreements were also ratified. The two, covering Joint Council 7 in Northern California and the Carolina Automotive Supplement, will be resolved within a week.
The strong gains include record employer health, welfare and pension contribution increases of $5 per hour over the life of the agreement, and wage increases of $2.20 per hour and 5.5 cents per mile over the life of the agreement, including 50 cents per hour in the first year. That's an average increase of 3.9 percent in wage and benefit-contribution increases.
The union also maintained the COLA, or cost of living adjustment, which kept wages up with inflation by providing an additional 10 cents per hour increase under the current contract. The new language to help unionized companies compete allows the transfer of some long-haul, dedicated rail traffic back to the road and creation of a new classification, a "utility employee," who can service freight on a more expedited basis.
Founded in 1903, the Teamsters Union represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
January 31, 2008
On January 31, MCLAC, a multi-employer bargaining association for freight employers, agreed to be bound by the Teamsters National Freight Industry Standards, which will create the 2008-2013 National Master Freight Agreement.
The union is very pleased that the National Standards Agreement will provide the same improvements in wages, benefits and working conditions for freight industry employees represented by MCLAC as those experienced by other employees covered by the NMFA.
We encourage all freight members to vote to approve the proposed National Freight Standards so that you and your family’s economic interest can be protected.
Teamsters, ABF Begin Contract Negotiations
Company, Union Exchange Proposals
On Tuesday, January 22, 2008, the Union and ABF managers, including Senior Vice President of Operations, Wes Kemp, met in New Orleans,LA to discuss dates to begin negotiations with the Company. The Union and the Company have exchanged proposals.
To give the Union maximum leverage in its negotiations with ABF, members should vote to approve the Teamsters National Freight Industry Standards Agreement which has been mailed to you for ratification. By ratifying the National Standards Agreement, the Union will be in a better position to protect against any efforts by ABF to decrease your pension benefits, create co-pays for your health insurance, or otherwise negatively impact your wages and working conditions.
Contrary to the erroneous statements being made by ABF managers, no road, city, or dock employee will suffer a decrease in their hourly or mileage rate of pay under the National Standards Agreement. You should also be aware that ABF has failed to send a letter to the Union agreeing to pay retroactivity on future negotiated wage increases to
April 1, 2008.
We will keep you informed of the progress of negotiations with ABF
Company Will Sign Proposed Pact, Protecting Drivers and Dockworkers
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
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.
Members to Cast Votes for New National Master Freight Agreement
January 11, 2008
Ballots will be mailed out January 14 and 15 to members who will vote on a new National Master Freight Agreement (NMFA), and local unions began holding membership meetings this week to review the tentative agreement. Most meetings will take place this weekend.
Members must return their postmarked ballots by Friday, February 8 in order for their votes to count. The current contract expires March 31, 2008. The NMFA covers about 70,000 freight Teamsters.
Downloadable materials explaining the tentative agreement have been posted on the Teamsters web site, www.teamster.org. To access the materials, members should click on the button on the right side of the web site that says “Freight Update.”
The five-year tentative agreement protects existing Teamster jobs, maintains a strong wage and benefit package and provides new language to allow the largest unionized companies to grow, which will give Teamsters more job security.
MEMORANDUM
VIA FACSIMILE
To: All Freight Local Unions
From: Tyson Johnson, Co-Chairman, TNFINC
Date: January 8, 2008
Re: Membership Meetings to Discuss "National Freight Industry
Standards"
All freight Local Unions are reminded to conduct meetings, during the weekend beginning January 11-12, 2008, with their members to discuss the "national freight industry standards" agreement, which was negotiated with TMI. The national standards agreement will replace the current NMFA covering TMI represented employers.
All freight members, except DHL Express members, should be invited to participate in the Local Union freight meetings. Because the "national standards" will be used as the model for negotiations with freight industry employers, all freight members, including those employed by ABF and other carriers not represented by TMI, will be given an opportunity to participate in the ratification vote on the standards agreement.
At the Two-Man Meeting conducted today in Washington, D.C., more than 300 representatives of freight Local Unions attended to review and discuss the "national freight industry standards" agreement. After a thorough discussion with explanations on the proposed "national standards" agreement, all of the more than 300 Local Union representatives present, except one (1), voted to recommend ratification of the agreement.
Membership meetings should be held this weekend because the ratification ballots will be mailed out on January 14-15, 2008 with a return date of February 8, 2008.
Please post this notice to remind all freight members to attend the meetings.
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.
Review the tentative National Master Freight Agreement and Supplements
January 8, 2008
The following postings include the changes contained in the tentative National Master Freight Agreement (NMFA) and the 29 supplements. For more information, check with your local union about a meeting that is scheduled to discuss the national agreement and your supplement.
National Master Freight Agreement
Central Region:
 |
Central Region Local Cartage Supplemental Agreement
| Central Region Over-the-Road Motor Freight Supplemental Agreement
| Teamsters State of Michigan Office Workers Supplemental Agreement |
Eastern Region:
Southern Region:
Western Region:
Members Can Review Tentative
Agreement After January 8
December 14, 2007
Representatives from local unions that represent freight Teamsters will meet Tuesday, January 8 in Washington, D.C. to review and approve the tentative National Master Freight Agreement (NMFA) that was reached this week with TMI/YRC Worldwide.
Before members review the contract, the January 8 “two-man” meeting must take place first. After the January 8 meeting, local unions are being asked to hold membership meetings during the weekend of January 11-13. Members will get a chance to review the contract during the membership meetings. Then, members will be sent ballots a short time later.
The tentative agreement contains good wage increases and protects members’ jobs and their health, welfare and pension benefits, said Tyson Johnson, Director of the Teamsters National Freight Division and lead negotiator.
TMI, Trucking Management, Inc., is the primary multi-employer bargaining arm of the unionized freight trucking industry. The subsidiaries include Yellow Transportation, Roadway Express, USF Holland and New Penn.
December 13, 2007
(Washington, D.C.) – The International Brotherhood of Teamsters and TMI/YRC Worldwide have reached a tentative agreement on a new National Master Freight Agreement (NMFA) that protects workers’ jobs and benefits and allows the unionized companies a chance to better compete against the nonunionized freight companies.
“The freight industry and our freight members are faced with many challenges, but this agreement will protect our tens of thousands of freight members’ futures, giving them the security they deserve,” said Jim Hoffa, Teamsters General President. “Our entire National Negotiating Committee, led by Vice President Tyson Johnson, did a great job protecting our members’ jobs and benefits.”
“This is an excellent agreement,” said Johnson, Director of the Teamsters National Freight Division and lead negotiator for the union. “It provides good wage increases and protects members’ jobs and their health, welfare and pension benefits. It also allows the unionized freight companies to better compete with the non-union companies and gives the unionized companies opportunities to grow business in new areas.”
The agreement also improves the grievance procedure for workers and addresses the issue of excessive overtime, Johnson said. The NMFA covers about 75,000 union freight members. Leaders from freight local unions will meet on January 8, 2008 in Washington, D.C. to approve the tentative contract, which would pave the way for members to vote on the agreement.
TMI, Trucking Management, Inc., is the primary multi-employer bargaining arm of the unionized freight trucking industry. The subsidiaries include Yellow Transportation, Roadway Express, USF Holland and New Penn.
Union Negotiators Review ‘Complex’ Issues
December 6, 2007
Teamster negotiators announced today that they have reached tentative agreements on all but one of the freight supplements.
Meanwhile, National Master Freight Agreement (NMFA) talks resumed Wednesday, December 5. Teamster negotiators are reviewing complex proposals submitted by Trucking Management, Inc. (TMI) aimed at dealing with the employers’ declining revenues and market share.
TMI, the primary multi-employer bargaining arm of the unionized freight trucking industry, has introduced the proposals to address the challenges its employers are facing. The employers say they need to develop new services to compete and to stop the erosion of the unionized companies’ market share.
“The Teamsters are studying TMI’s proposals—these are very complex issues,” said Tyson Johnson, Director of the Teamsters National Freight Division who is Co-Chairman of the union’s National Negotiating Committee. “We are developing responses to the employers’ proposals. Our goal remains to make sure our members’ interests are protected. That means securing our members’ jobs and excellent benefits.”
The union and TMI are also involved in intense negotiations to resolve the issue of forced overtime, a key concern of members.
Meanwhile, after meeting daily since early October, union negotiators reached tentative agreements on all supplements this week.
“We have maintained and improved working conditions in the supplements,” Johnson said. “Making progress on the supplements has given us strong momentum as we resume national contract talks today. We are making significant progress toward reaching an agreement on the master contract sometime this month.”
About two-thirds of the shippers typically sign contracts by the end of the year to determine who their carriers will be for the following service period.
Johnson has asked all National Negotiating Committee members to prepare to negotiate over the next two weeks to work on the national contract.
“I appreciate our members’ support up to this point, and we will need more support as we make our final push during the next two weeks,” Johnson said
Both Sides Exchange Contract Proposals
November 29, 2007
(Washington, D.C.) – Teamster leaders and representatives of Trucking Management Inc., (TMI) said today that National Master Freight Agreement (NMFA) talks are going well two days after both sides exchanged national contract proposals in Washington, D.C.
The progress this week maintains the strong momentum that has taken place since both sides announced early negotiations in late August 2007. Also, both sides made progress negotiating the supplemental agreements in October.
Tyson Johnson, Director of the Teamsters National Freight Division and Jim Roberts, president of TMI, the primary multi-employer bargaining arm of the unionized freight trucking industry, issued the following statement:
“We are making steady progress on the non-economic issues and we hope to continue progress when negotiations resume December 5. At the current rate of progress, there is no reason that we won’t soon finish the non-economic issues and we have already had initial discussions of the economic issues. We will soon have further discussions of economic issues, including wages, pensions and health and welfare benefits. Both sides are serious about addressing the issues and we are committed to bargaining in good faith. Our goal is to negotiate a contract that will address the needs of the Teamster-represented employees and address the needs of TMI-represented companies.”
Talks continued Thursday, November 29 and will resume December 5.
National Proposal-Exchange Set For November 26
November 9, 2007
Teamster leaders made significant progress in October during negotiations involving supplements as the union prepares to exchange national contract proposals with the bargaining arm of the unionized general freight trucking industry.
"The leaders from freight local unions accomplished a great deal during October, giving us strong momentum in the 2008 National Master Freight Agreement negotiations," said Tyson Johnson, Director of the Teamsters National Freight Division. "However, some supplemental issues need to be resolved in the coming weeks."
The union is scheduled to exchange national contract proposals on November 26 with Trucking Management, Inc., (TMI), the primary multi-employer bargaining arm of the unionized freight trucking industry.
"We will exchange national proposals once the major supplemental issues are resolved," Johnson said.
As talks proceed, the union’s goals include increasing job security, securing members’ pensions, and health and welfare benefits, and creating more Teamster freight jobs.
"Our members have done a great job giving us input through the contract surveys and local union meetings," Johnson said. "We wouldn’t be this far along without our members’ help, and we will be calling for their help and support throughout the negotiations. Together, we will negotiate supplements and a national contract that will give our members and their families a brighter future."
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 it."