Teamsters Nearing Goal of Representing 12,600 Workers

WASHINGTON, May 23 /PRNewswire/ -- In four months, more than 11,000 UPS Freight drivers and dockworkers in 40 states have signed cards to become Teamsters, the largest organizing victory in the freight industry in 25 years.

More than 9,900 of these workers have already ratified a new contract which improves wages, benefits and working conditions. The Teamsters won card- check agreement from UPS in December 2007, and began collecting cards from UPS Freight (formerly Overnite Transportation) workers on January 16, 2008.

"The determination and dedication of these workers to join the Teamsters is tremendous," said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa. "We are proud to represent them and we are closer to our goal of representing 12,600 UPS Freight workers."

"To have organized more than 11,000 workers in such a short amount of time continues to amaze me," said Teamsters Package Division Director Ken Hall. "These employees work tirelessly for UPS Freight and they should be rewarded with good wages and benefits."

In the latest victories, workers will be joining: Local 624 in Santa Rosa, California; Local 512 in Jacksonville, Florida; Local 983 in Pocatello, Idaho and Local 483 in Boise, Idaho which includes the Twin Falls terminal; Local 279 in Decatur, Illinois; Local 568 in Shreveport, Louisiana; Local 891 in Jackson, Mississippi, and; Local 492 in Albuquerque, New Mexico which includes the Farmington and Albuquerque terminals.

"These workers can now look forward to better job protection and better workplace conditions, and we welcome them," said Walter Maestas, Secretary- Treasurer for Local 492.

"This proves that workers who want to join a union can come together and organize to get the job done," said Jerry Conner, President of Local 279.

"The UPS Freight employees worked long and hard to get representation and it's a relief for them to finally be Teamsters," said Jim Shurling, President of Local 512.

"The Teamsters will match the commitment and drive the UPS Freight workers showed us to get the benefits and wages they deserve," said Ralph Miranda, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 624.

"Being a Teamster brings you respect on the job, and a voice. These workers deserve that," said Robert Watts, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 568.

"These workers now can look forward to a new future that includes a secure retirement," said Willie Smith, President of Local 891.

"We welcome these workers to the Teamsters and we will represent them tirelessly," said Robert Lee, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 983.

A majority of UPS Freight workers in 40 states have submitted cards: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Victories have come in numerous large cities, including Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Memphis, Minneapolis, Nashville, Oakland, Orlando, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Raleigh, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Jose, St. Louis and Washington, D.C.

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

Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters

CONTACT: Donna De La Cruz of International Brotherhood of Teamsters,
+1-202-624-8721, ddelacruz@teamster.org

Web site:

http://www.teamster.org/

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Profile: labor-news