×
Register an Account
Forgot Login?
Local 89 Freight Teamsters Say NO To More Company Bailouts--Local 89 Executive Board Recommends Rejection of Proposed YRC Concessions
Feb 07, 2014

Local 89 Freight Teamsters Say NO To More Company Bail-Outs--Local 89 Executive Board Recommends Rejection of Latest YRC Concessions 

Freight Teamsters unanimously accepted a motion today to reject concessions proposed by YRC.  The Motion came after President Zuckerman and Freight Agent Kevin Oliva reviewed and addressed details of the proposed agreement with the Membership.  During the meeting, YRC and USF Holland members expressed their concerns and frustrations with this latest attempt by the Company to correct its mistakes through bailouts from its workers and their families.

The Local 89 Executive Board also voted to recommended rejection of the proposed agreement.  The Proposal, if accepted, would subject YRC, USF Holland, and members in other YRC-owned freight companies to wage and pension concessions, two-tier wage scales, and the increased use of subcontractors.   Further, members who fall into the categories of “clerical employees, non-CDL dock employees, maintenance employees, [and] janitors and porters” would be subjected to a wage freeze until March 31, 2019.

YRC continues to struggle with $1.4 billion in debt.  It is demanding concessions as a supposed measure to appease banks to secure refinancing on these debts.  Asking for a bailout from its workers is nothing new to YRC.  In 2008, members accepted concessions as a means to save the Company from its financial problems (Local 89 also recommended rejection of these concessions).  Now, just five years later, YRC is asking for even more from its worker

“There comes a time when you’ve got to fight back, and this is one of those times,” said President Zuckerman in today’s meeting.  “The banks and Company are taking advantage of the situation.”

The attending members also expressed their frustration with the IBT in its failure to organize in the Freight industry.  By not organizing non-union freight companies, the IBT has subjected workers in existing union companies to situations in which their wages, pensions and benefits, and other contractual rights are very often under attack. For decades, Teamster members fought to lift non-union workers in the freight industry out of poverty so they could provide a better standard of living for themselves and their families.  Sadly, we now see a squandering of this great legacy.  It is crucial that the IBT works to once again organize in this core industry.

Ballots have already been sent to members subject to the proposed agreement.  These ballots will be counted on January 8th .   If you are a voting member please send your ballot back right away.    Thank you to all the members who have voted.


-
Teamsters Local 89
3813 Taylor Blvd
Louisville, KY 40215
  502-368-5885


Top of Page image
© 2024 Teamsters Local 89 | Privacy Policy & Terms of Service | Powered By UnionActive