Overwhelming Support for DHL Contract in Weekend Meetings

Members Get Answers to Questions about New National Agreement


In a strong show of support for the new DHL National Master Agreement, hundreds of members in seven states attended meetings this weekend. Local union leaders held votes to recommend the contract and in a majority the agreement was overwhelmingly endorsed.

“This is a great agreement. We protected what we already had and we’ve gained more,” said Patti McGuckin, dock agent and member of Local 299 in Detroit. “We’re getting more money than we’ve ever gotten, and our pension and health-and-welfare plans are protected. I’ve been a Teamster for almost 20 years and this is one of our best contracts.”

“I’ve read through the contract and I can’t help but think that this is going to be a good thing for everybody,” said Sam Conover, driver and member of Local 135 in Indianapolis. “I believe this helps the company by giving them some avenues to do some cost-saving. At the same time, our jobs have been protected and this is the strongest wage-and-benefit package I’ve seen as a Teamster. To all parties concerned, I think this is a good contract. I’ll be voting yes for it.”

“Members support this contract because it protects their futures, benefits, wages and jobs,” said Frank Burdell, Local 407 President. “We held a motion to support the contract at the end of our meeting, and the vote was 59-1 in favor of the contract—that’s a sign of strong support.”

In addition to Local 407 members’ support, approximately 375 members of Local 299 overwhelmingly endorsed the new tentative agreement, as did some 150 members of Local 135 (by a 149-1 voice vote) and more than 100 members of Local 249 in Pittsburgh. Bargaining committee co-chair Brad Slawson Sr. attended these four locals’ meetings, answering members’ questions. Complete Story....