UPS Freight Workers in Missouri, New York, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin Sign Cards to Become Teamsters

In Latest Victories, About 290 Drivers, Dockworkers Will Join Teamsters

An overwhelming majority of about 290 workers at the UPS Freight terminals in Missouri, New York, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin have signed authorization cards to become Teamsters, bringing the total number of drivers and dockworkers who have signed cards to 10,000 since January 16, Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa announced.

On Monday, Hoffa and Teamsters Package Division Director Ken Hall announced that more than 89 percent of UPS Freight workers who are already Teamster members ratified a new contract, which improves wages, benefits and working conditions.

The workers at the Richmond, Virginia location, which has been certified, will be joining Local 592. In addition, workers have also signed cards in Buffalo, New York; Youngtown, Ohio; Appleton, Wisconsin, and; Rolla, Missouri. The workers will join Local 375 in Buffalo, Local 377 in Youngstown, Local 662 which covers the Appleton and Green Bay area in Wisconsin, and Local 682 in St. Louis.

"Our continued success to organize UPS Freight workers is a great victory," Hoffa said. "The workers have shown us they are committed to joining the Teamsters and we are proud to have them among our ranks."

"We have organized 10,000 workers in less than 100 days, thanks to the continued efforts of UPS Freight workers to join the Teamsters," Hall said. "These workers now have a strong voice in their workplace, backed up by the strongest union."

"This is an historic moment for these workers, especially since they work in Richmond, where UPS Freight is based," said Jim Smith, President of Local 592. "It's a great victory."

"Our organizers worked hard to get this done and we couldn't be prouder to have the UPS Freight workers join us," said Joe Sorrento, President of Local 375.

"Yellow Freight workers were instrumental in helping us with our victory," said Gary Cossarini, President of Local 682. "We ended up getting 100 percent of our cards signed."

"This has been a hard fought battle and the victory means roughly 50 families in our area will see improved benefits, wages and a better quality of life," said David Reardon, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 662. "We could not be happier to have these workers as members."

"The UPS Freight workers will now be represented by a strong union that will get them a great contract," said Charlie Burns, the Trustee for Local 377.