How safe do you feel speeding down an interstate next to those big 18-wheelers?
Truck drivers are often among the most experienced drivers, but those long hours on the road can lead to trouble.
Just this week, an erratic, wrong-way truck driver caused a fiery crash on I-75. Dash cam video of that out of control tractor trailer along Interstate 75 in Turner County leads to a lot of questions and few answers. The driver, 63-year old Robert Harrison, died in a fiery crash. What caused that crash remains a mystery.
"I started down here in Ocala, Florida and I drove up to here," says Dale Harville, a truck driver for a transport company out of Greenville, Tennessee. While his log book indicates how much time he spends behind the wheel of his rig, he admits the schedule can often be grueling and tiresome.
"It's the shippers you know. They won't set you up for four hours. If they would get on the ball and get out there like they're supposed to, it would make it a lot easier on the drivers," he says.
The National Transportation Safety Board has said that as many as 40 % of heavy truck crashes are fatigue related. The Teamsters Union reported a 20 % spike in fatal crashes involving fatigued drivers from 2004 to 2005, the first year truck drivers were allowed to drive longer hours
John Kidwell with Flint River Transportation says, "It's a tough way to make living. Sometimes, while they're only driving 10 hours, it may take them 5 to 10 hours just to get loaded. And that makes for long days."
In 2003 the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration ruled that truck drivers could spend an extra hour behind the wheel without rest. Truckers can now operate a rig for 11 hours within a 14 hour time period and up to 84 hours a week. Critics say that's dangerous and many truck drivers agree.
While energy drinks and over the counter stimulants are readily available at truck stops, sometimes it just takes common sense to know when you're too tired to be behind the wheel.
"Stop and get something to drink. Let the window down or call someone that's up late at night. Any of that will help. But if it gets to the point where you can just not go on, please pull over take you a nap," says truck driver Melissa Laster.
But there are conflicting arguments against that 11 hour rule. The FMCSA says it ensures drivers are well rested and ready to work. But safety advocates and the Teamsters Union disagree.
Courts struck down that 11-hour rule twice.
Each time, each time the government re-instated it.
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Saturday, February 09, 2008
Friday, February 08, 2008
Teamsters up membership in '07
Teamsters President James P. Hoffa said Friday the union recruited 23,000 new members in 2007 and ended the year with membership above where it was in 2006.
"That might not sound like a lot but it is a lot," Hoffa told reporters. "We are out organizing every day."
Despite some layoffs, the Teamsters will end 2007 up roughly 13,000 members to nearly 1.45 million, said Bret Caldwell, a Teamsters spokesman.
The Teamsters had 1,398,573 members as of the end of 2006, according to a report filed with the Department of Labor in April.
Hoffa said the union has already gained another 5,000 members in 2008 -- most of them at UPS Freight. "It's so tough out there," Hoffa said. "If you're in one industry and you don't change and you don't find new areas to organize, you're going to have a very hard time growing."
In an interview, Hoffa also said the Teamsters are talking with two small unions about merging, including one with about 60,000 members.
Hoffa spoke to reporters for two hours at an event at the National Press Club. Like the UAW, Hoffa said the Teamsters were declining to make an endorsement between Sens. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y.
The union has won a pledge from both candidates on several key issues, including the Employee Free Choice Act, a proposal that would make it easier for unions to organize. The bill is strongly opposed by businesses and the Bush Administration.
But Clinton's husband, former President Bill Clinton, may be lobbying Hoffa for the nod on Tuesday, when Hoffa is honored by American Friends of Yitzhak Rabin Center in Washington. Former President Clinton is speaking at the dinner in Washington along with Hoffa.
The group honoring the slain Israeli leader will give an award honoring the Hoffa family's support of Israel, especially James R. Hoffa's early backing.
Hoffa also talked about the union's aggressive campaign to oust Transportation Secretary Mary Peters, including launching a website and posting a giant billboard board at a subway stop frequented by transportation department workers.
Teamsters are upset that Peters OK'd a pilot program to allow Mexican trucks and drivers to cross into the United States, despite a bill passed by Congress and signed Dec. 26 that prohibits any funding for new pilot programs. The Teamsters will challenge the decision in the U.S. Court of Appeals in San Francisco on Feb. 12.
"That might not sound like a lot but it is a lot," Hoffa told reporters. "We are out organizing every day."
Despite some layoffs, the Teamsters will end 2007 up roughly 13,000 members to nearly 1.45 million, said Bret Caldwell, a Teamsters spokesman.
The Teamsters had 1,398,573 members as of the end of 2006, according to a report filed with the Department of Labor in April.
Hoffa said the union has already gained another 5,000 members in 2008 -- most of them at UPS Freight. "It's so tough out there," Hoffa said. "If you're in one industry and you don't change and you don't find new areas to organize, you're going to have a very hard time growing."
In an interview, Hoffa also said the Teamsters are talking with two small unions about merging, including one with about 60,000 members.
Hoffa spoke to reporters for two hours at an event at the National Press Club. Like the UAW, Hoffa said the Teamsters were declining to make an endorsement between Sens. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y.
The union has won a pledge from both candidates on several key issues, including the Employee Free Choice Act, a proposal that would make it easier for unions to organize. The bill is strongly opposed by businesses and the Bush Administration.
But Clinton's husband, former President Bill Clinton, may be lobbying Hoffa for the nod on Tuesday, when Hoffa is honored by American Friends of Yitzhak Rabin Center in Washington. Former President Clinton is speaking at the dinner in Washington along with Hoffa.
The group honoring the slain Israeli leader will give an award honoring the Hoffa family's support of Israel, especially James R. Hoffa's early backing.
Hoffa also talked about the union's aggressive campaign to oust Transportation Secretary Mary Peters, including launching a website and posting a giant billboard board at a subway stop frequented by transportation department workers.
Teamsters are upset that Peters OK'd a pilot program to allow Mexican trucks and drivers to cross into the United States, despite a bill passed by Congress and signed Dec. 26 that prohibits any funding for new pilot programs. The Teamsters will challenge the decision in the U.S. Court of Appeals in San Francisco on Feb. 12.
Congress Piles on Mary Peters
Representatives Admonish Transportation Secretary For Keeping Border Open To Trucks From Mexico
Transportation Secretary Mary Peters today was told point blank by three members of Congress to close the border to trucks from Mexico.
Peters kept the border open after a law was enacted to close it. The U.S. Senate voted 75 to 23 and the House voted 411 to 3 to forbid funding for the unsafe pilot project allowing Mexican trucks to use U.S. highways.
The legislation became law on December 26, 2007 as part of the Omnibus budget bill.
Peters’ fellow Arizonan Ed Pastor, a Democrat, cautioned her that the constitutional separation of powers means that she must follow the intent of Congress.
“I advise you that the program as it is should not be implemented,” Pastor told Peters during a budget hearing by the Transportation subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee.
Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio, said, “You violated the law.”
Rep. Ciro Rodriguez, D-Texas, asked rhetorically, “Does the department have the legal authority to disregard Congress’s intent?”
Rodriguez noted that Peters’ pilot program to open the border to Mexican trucks continues.
“The intent of the language was to prohibit that from occurring,” Rodriguez told Peters.
Jim Hoffa, Teamsters general president, thanked the members of Congress for defending the Constitution.
“If Mary Peters thinks the pilot program is lawful, she should consult the Supreme Court,” Hoffa said. “The court ruled that if the intent of Congress is clear, that is the end of the matter.”
The Teamsters today launched a national grassroots, netroots campaign to alert the public to the Transportation Secretary’s lawless actions.
The “Fire Mary Peters” campaign kicked off today with subway ads, radio commercials, Web ads, bumper stickers and a Web site. Teamster Union headquarters have been besieged by requests for bumper stickers that say, “Fire Mary Peters – She Breaks the Law.”
For more information about the campaign, go to www.FireMaryPeters.com.
Transportation Secretary Mary Peters today was told point blank by three members of Congress to close the border to trucks from Mexico.
Peters kept the border open after a law was enacted to close it. The U.S. Senate voted 75 to 23 and the House voted 411 to 3 to forbid funding for the unsafe pilot project allowing Mexican trucks to use U.S. highways.
The legislation became law on December 26, 2007 as part of the Omnibus budget bill.
Peters’ fellow Arizonan Ed Pastor, a Democrat, cautioned her that the constitutional separation of powers means that she must follow the intent of Congress.
“I advise you that the program as it is should not be implemented,” Pastor told Peters during a budget hearing by the Transportation subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee.
Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio, said, “You violated the law.”
Rep. Ciro Rodriguez, D-Texas, asked rhetorically, “Does the department have the legal authority to disregard Congress’s intent?”
Rodriguez noted that Peters’ pilot program to open the border to Mexican trucks continues.
“The intent of the language was to prohibit that from occurring,” Rodriguez told Peters.
Jim Hoffa, Teamsters general president, thanked the members of Congress for defending the Constitution.
“If Mary Peters thinks the pilot program is lawful, she should consult the Supreme Court,” Hoffa said. “The court ruled that if the intent of Congress is clear, that is the end of the matter.”
The Teamsters today launched a national grassroots, netroots campaign to alert the public to the Transportation Secretary’s lawless actions.
The “Fire Mary Peters” campaign kicked off today with subway ads, radio commercials, Web ads, bumper stickers and a Web site. Teamster Union headquarters have been besieged by requests for bumper stickers that say, “Fire Mary Peters – She Breaks the Law.”
For more information about the campaign, go to www.FireMaryPeters.com.
Workers in Charlotte and Spokane Seek Union Membership at UPS Freight
In Latest Victories, Workers Seek to Join Locals 71 and 690
An overwhelming majority of about 100 workers at the UPS Freight (formerly Overnite Transportation) terminals in Charlotte, North Carolina and in Spokane, Washington have signed authorization cards to become Teamsters, bringing the total number of drivers and dockworkers seeking to join the union to more than 4,100 since January 16, Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa announced.
The workers are seeking to join Local Unions 71 and 690.
“We’re pleased that the UPS Freight workers in Charlotte were receptive and eager to join the Teamsters—they were chomping at the bit to sign cards these past several months while the campaign details were being planned,” said Ted Russell, President of Local 71 in Charlotte.
“The drivers out here in Spokane have been asking us for months when they can organize, and that time has come,” said Val Holstrom, President of Local 690 in Spokane. “Our Principal Officer, Secretary-Treasurer Justin ‘Buck' Holliday, has stayed in constant contact with the workers. The workers are looking forward to getting a strong and fair contract that improves their lives and working conditions.”
“We know that many UPS Freight workers are waiting to sign cards and get the ball rolling, and we appreciate their patience. This campaign is moving ahead quickly and everyone will get a chance soon to win a more secure future as Teamsters,” said Ken Hall, Director of the Teamsters Package Division.
In addition to the Charlotte and Spokane workers, UPS Freight workers in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, Indiana, California, Florida, Arizona, New York, Kentucky and New England, including the large cities of Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Oakland, Seattle, Memphis and Detroit, have submitted cards to become Teamsters.
An overwhelming majority of about 100 workers at the UPS Freight (formerly Overnite Transportation) terminals in Charlotte, North Carolina and in Spokane, Washington have signed authorization cards to become Teamsters, bringing the total number of drivers and dockworkers seeking to join the union to more than 4,100 since January 16, Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa announced.
The workers are seeking to join Local Unions 71 and 690.
“We’re pleased that the UPS Freight workers in Charlotte were receptive and eager to join the Teamsters—they were chomping at the bit to sign cards these past several months while the campaign details were being planned,” said Ted Russell, President of Local 71 in Charlotte.
“The drivers out here in Spokane have been asking us for months when they can organize, and that time has come,” said Val Holstrom, President of Local 690 in Spokane. “Our Principal Officer, Secretary-Treasurer Justin ‘Buck' Holliday, has stayed in constant contact with the workers. The workers are looking forward to getting a strong and fair contract that improves their lives and working conditions.”
“We know that many UPS Freight workers are waiting to sign cards and get the ball rolling, and we appreciate their patience. This campaign is moving ahead quickly and everyone will get a chance soon to win a more secure future as Teamsters,” said Ken Hall, Director of the Teamsters Package Division.
In addition to the Charlotte and Spokane workers, UPS Freight workers in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, Indiana, California, Florida, Arizona, New York, Kentucky and New England, including the large cities of Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Oakland, Seattle, Memphis and Detroit, have submitted cards to become Teamsters.
Teamsters Helping 800 Workers Losing Jobs at USF Reddaway, Holland
Laid-Off Workers Will Be Offered Preferential Hiring At Yellow, Roadway
The Teamsters Union is taking steps to help 800 workers who are losing their jobs in the wake of USF Reddaway's and USF Holland's announcement today that it is closing its operations in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and New Mexico on February 22.
"We realize this is a very difficult time for our members, and we are doing everything possible to lessen the blow," said Tyson Johnson, director of the Teamsters National Freight Division.
Under letters of understanding between Yellow Freight, Inc. and Roadway Express, Inc., USF Reddaway and USF Holland employees will be offered preferential hiring, provided they meet all hiring standards at Yellow or Roadway after all regular Yellow or Roadway employees have been recalled from layoff and after all employees eligible under the National Master Freight Agreement have been offered a work opportunity. USF Reddaway, USF Holland, Yellow and Roadway have the same parent company, YRC Worldwide, Inc.
Also, the laid-off Reddaway and Holland workers will receive full pay and sick leave, personal leave and other accrued personal time off that is owed to them.
The layoffs will occur in Abilene, Amarillo, Odessa, Sherman, Tyler, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, El Paso, Laredo, Brownsville and Austin, all in Texas; in Baton Rouge and Shreveport, Louisiana; Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Oklahoma; Little Rock, Arkansas; Jackson, Mississippi; Albany and Metter, Georgia; Lumberton, North Carolina; and Albuquerque, New Mexico. However, the closures at these locations will affect the amount of work at other locations.
Teamsters should visit the union's web site, www.teamster.org, for additional information.
The Teamsters Union is taking steps to help 800 workers who are losing their jobs in the wake of USF Reddaway's and USF Holland's announcement today that it is closing its operations in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and New Mexico on February 22.
"We realize this is a very difficult time for our members, and we are doing everything possible to lessen the blow," said Tyson Johnson, director of the Teamsters National Freight Division.
Under letters of understanding between Yellow Freight, Inc. and Roadway Express, Inc., USF Reddaway and USF Holland employees will be offered preferential hiring, provided they meet all hiring standards at Yellow or Roadway after all regular Yellow or Roadway employees have been recalled from layoff and after all employees eligible under the National Master Freight Agreement have been offered a work opportunity. USF Reddaway, USF Holland, Yellow and Roadway have the same parent company, YRC Worldwide, Inc.
Also, the laid-off Reddaway and Holland workers will receive full pay and sick leave, personal leave and other accrued personal time off that is owed to them.
The layoffs will occur in Abilene, Amarillo, Odessa, Sherman, Tyler, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, El Paso, Laredo, Brownsville and Austin, all in Texas; in Baton Rouge and Shreveport, Louisiana; Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Oklahoma; Little Rock, Arkansas; Jackson, Mississippi; Albany and Metter, Georgia; Lumberton, North Carolina; and Albuquerque, New Mexico. However, the closures at these locations will affect the amount of work at other locations.
Teamsters should visit the union's web site, www.teamster.org, for additional information.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Brian Vickers and ABF Racing Team Up for the 2008 Season
Braun Racing is pleased to announce the partnership of Brian Vickers and long time team sponsor, ABF Freight System, for the 2008 Nationwide Series season.
In a growing partnership with Braun Racing, ABF has increased their sponsorship from five races in 2007 to up to nine races in 2008. This will mark ABF‘s third year in the sport with a combined ten races prior to the 2008 season. Last season, ABF Racing helped make history when driver, Dave Blaney, captured Toyota Camry’s first Busch pole at California Speedway.
Vickers is currently slated to drive the ABF Camry in nine Nationwide Series races this season beginning with the 2008 season opener at Daytona. Vickers will pilot the No. 32 entry at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway in April, Michigan International Speedway, California Speedway in August, Richmond International Raceway in September and Kansas Speedway. During select 2008 events where Braun Racing’s stable expands to three cars, Vickers and ABF will compete as the No.10 entry including at Daytona International Speedway in February, Lowe’s Motor Speedway in May, and Bristol Motor Speedway in August. Vickers will once again have the guidance of crew chief Trent Owens leading the team in 2008.
“I’m looking forward to running these races for Braun Racing and Toyota in 2008,” said Vickers. “They asked me back this year after some strong runs last season and I’m excited we have another opportunity to get this team some wins. They bring a competitive race car to the track week in and week out and I’m confident we can make the most of this partnership with ABF Racing to get them into Victory Lane!”
Vickers began his Nationwide Series career in 2001. In 2003 he took home the Nationwide Series Championship in his first full season of competition, becoming NASCAR’s youngest-ever champion at 20 years of age. In 80 series starts, Vickers has captured three wins, 16 top-fives and 31 top-10 finishes.
In a growing partnership with Braun Racing, ABF has increased their sponsorship from five races in 2007 to up to nine races in 2008. This will mark ABF‘s third year in the sport with a combined ten races prior to the 2008 season. Last season, ABF Racing helped make history when driver, Dave Blaney, captured Toyota Camry’s first Busch pole at California Speedway.
Vickers is currently slated to drive the ABF Camry in nine Nationwide Series races this season beginning with the 2008 season opener at Daytona. Vickers will pilot the No. 32 entry at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway in April, Michigan International Speedway, California Speedway in August, Richmond International Raceway in September and Kansas Speedway. During select 2008 events where Braun Racing’s stable expands to three cars, Vickers and ABF will compete as the No.10 entry including at Daytona International Speedway in February, Lowe’s Motor Speedway in May, and Bristol Motor Speedway in August. Vickers will once again have the guidance of crew chief Trent Owens leading the team in 2008.
“I’m looking forward to running these races for Braun Racing and Toyota in 2008,” said Vickers. “They asked me back this year after some strong runs last season and I’m excited we have another opportunity to get this team some wins. They bring a competitive race car to the track week in and week out and I’m confident we can make the most of this partnership with ABF Racing to get them into Victory Lane!”
Vickers began his Nationwide Series career in 2001. In 2003 he took home the Nationwide Series Championship in his first full season of competition, becoming NASCAR’s youngest-ever champion at 20 years of age. In 80 series starts, Vickers has captured three wins, 16 top-fives and 31 top-10 finishes.
Teamsters' UPS Freight Campaign Reaches 4,000-Worker Milestone
In Latest Victories, Workers Seek To Join Locals 107, 676 and 326
An overwhelming majority of about 175 workers at the UPS Freight (formerly Overnite Transportation) terminals in Bensalem, Pennsylvania; Pennsauken, New Jersey; and Elkton, Maryland have signed authorization cards to become Teamsters, bringing the total number of drivers and dockworkers seeking to join the union to more than 4,000 since January 16, Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa announced.
The workers are seeking to join Local Unions 107, 676 and 326.
“This is a testament to the great job Package Division Director Ken Hall and General President Jim Hoffa are doing on this campaign,” said Bill Hamilton, President of Teamsters Local 107 and Joint Council 53 in Philadelphia. “We collected a majority of cards from workers within a week.”
“This is a great day for Local 676,” said Howard Wells, President of Local 676 in Collingswood, New Jersey. “The workers are very eager and very excited to become Teamsters.”
“We look forward to welcoming the workers to the International Brotherhood of Teamsters,” said John Ryan, President of Local 326 in New Castle, Delaware.
“With these latest victories in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland, we have reached the 4,000-worker plateau. We are almost a third of the way toward our goal of collecting cards from a majority of 12,600 UPS Freight workers,” said Ken Hall, Director of the Teamsters Package Division.
In addition to the Bensalem, Pennsauken and Elkton workers, a majority of UPS Freight workers in Houston and in Beaumont, Texas; Indiana, California, Florida, Arizona, New York state, Kentucky and New England, and the large cities of Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Oakland, Seattle, Memphis and Detroit have submitted cards to become Teamsters.
An overwhelming majority of about 175 workers at the UPS Freight (formerly Overnite Transportation) terminals in Bensalem, Pennsylvania; Pennsauken, New Jersey; and Elkton, Maryland have signed authorization cards to become Teamsters, bringing the total number of drivers and dockworkers seeking to join the union to more than 4,000 since January 16, Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa announced.
The workers are seeking to join Local Unions 107, 676 and 326.
“This is a testament to the great job Package Division Director Ken Hall and General President Jim Hoffa are doing on this campaign,” said Bill Hamilton, President of Teamsters Local 107 and Joint Council 53 in Philadelphia. “We collected a majority of cards from workers within a week.”
“This is a great day for Local 676,” said Howard Wells, President of Local 676 in Collingswood, New Jersey. “The workers are very eager and very excited to become Teamsters.”
“We look forward to welcoming the workers to the International Brotherhood of Teamsters,” said John Ryan, President of Local 326 in New Castle, Delaware.
“With these latest victories in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland, we have reached the 4,000-worker plateau. We are almost a third of the way toward our goal of collecting cards from a majority of 12,600 UPS Freight workers,” said Ken Hall, Director of the Teamsters Package Division.
In addition to the Bensalem, Pennsauken and Elkton workers, a majority of UPS Freight workers in Houston and in Beaumont, Texas; Indiana, California, Florida, Arizona, New York state, Kentucky and New England, and the large cities of Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Oakland, Seattle, Memphis and Detroit have submitted cards to become Teamsters.
Teamsters Launch Major Campaign to Fire U.S. Transportation Secretary
Fire Mary Peters For Unlawfully Opening Border To Dangerous Trucks From Mexico
The Teamsters launched a nationwide grassroots campaign to fire Transportation Secretary Mary Peters for unlawfully opening the border to unsafe trucks from Mexico.
“It’s a disgrace that Mary Peters is still in office,” said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa. “She has broken the law and defied the will of the American people by exposing them to dangerous trucks from Mexico.”
The Senate voted 75 to 23 and the House voted 411 to 3 to keep the border closed to unsafe Mexican trucks. The legislation became law on December 26, 2007 as part of the Omnibus budget bill. Under Peter’s direction, the Department of Transportation has refused to comply with the law.
The “Fire Mary Peters – Lawbreaker” campaign includes:
A web site, www.FireMaryPeters.com, with blog, downloadable “Fire Mary Peters” windshield signs, recommended actions and an e-mail component urging concerned citizens to ask their elected representatives to find Mary Peters in contempt of Congress.
Posters and floor graphics now up in the Navy Yard Metro stop near the Department of Transportation (DOT) in Washington.
An anonymous hotline set up for whistleblowers to report additional transgressions by Mary Peters.
A leafleting campaign at the Metro stop, where DOT employees will be handed cards asking them to call the hotline to report other laws that Mary Peters has broken.
“Fire Mary Peters -- She Breaks the Law” bumper stickers mailed to thousands of Teamsters and others.
“Fire Mary Peters” radio commercials to air on WTOP, the No. 1 radio station in the Washington, DC area, and nationally on the Air America radio network.
“Fire Mary Peters” Web ads on key political sites in Washington, DC and Arizona, Peters’ home state.
The Teamsters Union will argue in court on February 12 that Peters broke federal laws aimed at ensuring American motorists aren’t endangered by allowing Mexican trucks on U.S. highways. The case will be heard in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco.
The Teamsters are supported by CONATRAM, the federation of Mexican truck drivers who categorically reject Mary Peters’ program to open the border. They fear it will devastate their industry, just as U.S. agribusiness wiped out Mexican farms after the passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement.
The “Fire Mary Peters” campaign has a special focus in Peters’ home state of Arizona, where letters and bumper stickers have been mailed to thousands of Teamsters, urging them to take action.
It’s an open secret that Mary Peters is planning to run for governor of Arizona in 2010. Arizonans need to know that Mary Peters is the lawbreaker who opened the border to Mexican trucks.
For more information about the campaign, go to www.FireMaryPeters.com.
The Teamsters launched a nationwide grassroots campaign to fire Transportation Secretary Mary Peters for unlawfully opening the border to unsafe trucks from Mexico.
“It’s a disgrace that Mary Peters is still in office,” said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa. “She has broken the law and defied the will of the American people by exposing them to dangerous trucks from Mexico.”
The Senate voted 75 to 23 and the House voted 411 to 3 to keep the border closed to unsafe Mexican trucks. The legislation became law on December 26, 2007 as part of the Omnibus budget bill. Under Peter’s direction, the Department of Transportation has refused to comply with the law.
The “Fire Mary Peters – Lawbreaker” campaign includes:
A web site, www.FireMaryPeters.com, with blog, downloadable “Fire Mary Peters” windshield signs, recommended actions and an e-mail component urging concerned citizens to ask their elected representatives to find Mary Peters in contempt of Congress.
Posters and floor graphics now up in the Navy Yard Metro stop near the Department of Transportation (DOT) in Washington.
An anonymous hotline set up for whistleblowers to report additional transgressions by Mary Peters.
A leafleting campaign at the Metro stop, where DOT employees will be handed cards asking them to call the hotline to report other laws that Mary Peters has broken.
“Fire Mary Peters -- She Breaks the Law” bumper stickers mailed to thousands of Teamsters and others.
“Fire Mary Peters” radio commercials to air on WTOP, the No. 1 radio station in the Washington, DC area, and nationally on the Air America radio network.
“Fire Mary Peters” Web ads on key political sites in Washington, DC and Arizona, Peters’ home state.
The Teamsters Union will argue in court on February 12 that Peters broke federal laws aimed at ensuring American motorists aren’t endangered by allowing Mexican trucks on U.S. highways. The case will be heard in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco.
The Teamsters are supported by CONATRAM, the federation of Mexican truck drivers who categorically reject Mary Peters’ program to open the border. They fear it will devastate their industry, just as U.S. agribusiness wiped out Mexican farms after the passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement.
The “Fire Mary Peters” campaign has a special focus in Peters’ home state of Arizona, where letters and bumper stickers have been mailed to thousands of Teamsters, urging them to take action.
It’s an open secret that Mary Peters is planning to run for governor of Arizona in 2010. Arizonans need to know that Mary Peters is the lawbreaker who opened the border to Mexican trucks.
For more information about the campaign, go to www.FireMaryPeters.com.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Workers in Houston and Beaumont Seek Union Membership at UPS Freight
An Overwhelming Majority of Workers Plan to Join Local 988
An overwhelming majority of about 150 workers at the UPS Freight (formerly Overnite Transportation) terminals in Houston and in Beaumont, Texas have signed authorization cards to become Teamsters, bringing the total number of drivers and dockworkers seeking to join the union to about 3,850 since January 16, Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa announced.
The workers are seeking to join Local 988 in Houston.
“We have a new executive board at Local 988 and our focus is on growing our union. UPS Freight is our first organizing campaign and it’s a great way to start,” said Robert Mele, Local 988 President. “We look forward to providing top-notch representation to the UPS Freight workers. The Teamsters Organizing Department was a great help in this campaign, as well as our stewards.”
“Our UPS Freight campaign has hit the Lone Star State, and we look forward to welcoming the hardworking men and women at UPS Freight in Texas,” said Ken Hall, Director of the Teamsters Package Division.
In addition to the Houston and Beaumont workers, UPS Freight workers in Indiana, California, Florida, Arizona, New York state, Kentucky and New England, and the large cities of Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Oakland, Seattle, Memphis and Detroit have submitted cards to become Teamsters.
An overwhelming majority of about 150 workers at the UPS Freight (formerly Overnite Transportation) terminals in Houston and in Beaumont, Texas have signed authorization cards to become Teamsters, bringing the total number of drivers and dockworkers seeking to join the union to about 3,850 since January 16, Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa announced.
The workers are seeking to join Local 988 in Houston.
“We have a new executive board at Local 988 and our focus is on growing our union. UPS Freight is our first organizing campaign and it’s a great way to start,” said Robert Mele, Local 988 President. “We look forward to providing top-notch representation to the UPS Freight workers. The Teamsters Organizing Department was a great help in this campaign, as well as our stewards.”
“Our UPS Freight campaign has hit the Lone Star State, and we look forward to welcoming the hardworking men and women at UPS Freight in Texas,” said Ken Hall, Director of the Teamsters Package Division.
In addition to the Houston and Beaumont workers, UPS Freight workers in Indiana, California, Florida, Arizona, New York state, Kentucky and New England, and the large cities of Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Oakland, Seattle, Memphis and Detroit have submitted cards to become Teamsters.
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
ABF Drivers Working For A Good Cause
The Saturday morning sun shone down on hundreds of volunteers in blue T-shirts who were lined up in the parking lot at the Jemal's Bay 50 shopping center on Route 50 near the Bay Bridge.
"You're lucky it's not pouring down like Friday," one volunteer said to Mariners' Church executive minister the Rev. Bob Knight.
"It's not luck," the Rev. Knight said, glancing heavenward.
Members of Mariners' Church teamed up with Feed The Children, headquartered in Oklahoma City, to execute a unique project. The two groups vowed to supply boxes of food and personal care products in a single morning to every one of the 1,105 households in the city's public housing.
Kent Island resident Chuck Barton masterminded the project, convincing church elders it was doable.
He helped to raise the $24,300 from church members to cover the cost of shipping the cartons from Oklahoma City in three large tractor-trailers.
Baltimore area trucking firms ABF Freight System, Inc. and Baltimore Freightliner loaned six smaller trucks that were needed to ferry the items to the 10 housing projects. Truck drivers from ABF volunteered to work for free. Full Story.....
"You're lucky it's not pouring down like Friday," one volunteer said to Mariners' Church executive minister the Rev. Bob Knight.
"It's not luck," the Rev. Knight said, glancing heavenward.
Members of Mariners' Church teamed up with Feed The Children, headquartered in Oklahoma City, to execute a unique project. The two groups vowed to supply boxes of food and personal care products in a single morning to every one of the 1,105 households in the city's public housing.
Kent Island resident Chuck Barton masterminded the project, convincing church elders it was doable.
He helped to raise the $24,300 from church members to cover the cost of shipping the cartons from Oklahoma City in three large tractor-trailers.
Baltimore area trucking firms ABF Freight System, Inc. and Baltimore Freightliner loaned six smaller trucks that were needed to ferry the items to the 10 housing projects. Truck drivers from ABF volunteered to work for free. Full Story.....
YRC Worldwide Says Transport Topics To Correct Inaccurate Report
Transportation services provider YRC Worldwide Inc. on Monday responded to an article appeared in the February 4 edition of Transport Topics, which said: "YRC Worldwide intends to combine Yellow Transportation and Roadway operations." According to the Overland Park, Kansas-based company Transport Topics has indicated that it would carry a correction of this inaccurate report in its next published edition.In a meeting with analysts recently, the company had said that it is working to integrate the technology platforms of Yellow Transportation and Roadway to increase efficiencies, reduce costs and enhance capabilities for its customers. The company also said it is working during 2008 to combine the corporate sales channels of Yellow Transportation, Roadway and the YRC Regional Transportation companies so that the customers will have a single point of contact to access all of the capabilities of the YRC Worldwide brands.
Commenting on the report, Bill Zollars, Chairman, President and CEO of YRC Worldwide, said: "Our strategy has been and continues to be to offer our customers quality service and multiple capabilities through our well established, separate brands. At no time have we stated an intention to combine the operations of Yellow Transportation and Roadway."
YRCW is currently trading at $17.94, down $0.02 or 0.11%, on 561,480 shares.
Workers in Indiana and California Seek Union Membership at UPS Freight
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An Overwhelming Majority of Workers Plan to Join Locals 414 And 186 An overwhelming majority of about 100 workers at the UPS Freight (formerly Overnite Transportation) terminals in Fort Wayne, Indiana and in Simi Valley and Oxnard, in California, have signed authorization cards to become Teamsters, bringing the total number of drivers and dockworkers seeking to join the union to about 3,700 since January 16, Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa announced.
The Indiana workers are seeking to join Local 414 in Fort Wayne, while the California workers will be joining Local 186 in Ventura.
“The UPS Freight workers in Fort Wayne couldn’t wait to sign cards and now they are very excited about getting certified and negotiating their first Teamster contract,” said Brian Lytle, a Local 414 organizer who coordinated the campaign in Fort Wayne.
“The UPS Freight workers in Simi Valley and Oxnard are looking forward to winning some of the same protections that the workers in Indianapolis have already secured,” said Bill Elder, Local 186 Secretary-Treasurer.
“Across the country, UPS Freight workers are signing cards on their way to better working conditions, and energy is building throughout the UPS Freight system,” said Ken Hall, Director of the Teamsters Package Division.
In addition to the Fort Wayne, Simi Valley and Oxnard workers, a majority of UPS Freight workers in Tampa, Fort Myers, Arizona, Fresno, Atlanta, Newburgh, Farmingdale, Louisville, Lexington, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Southern California, Oakland, Seattle, New England, Memphis and Detroit have submitted cards to become Teamsters.
Workers in Florida and Vermont Seek Union Membership at UPS Freight
An Overwhelming Majority of Workers Plan to Join Locals 79 and 597An overwhelming majority of about 120 workers at the UPS Freight (formerly Overnite Transportation) terminals in Tampa and Fort Myers, Florida, and in Burlington, Vermont have signed authorization cards to become Teamsters, bringing the total number of drivers and dockworkers seeking to join the union to about 3,600 since January 16, Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa announced.
The Florida workers are seeking to join Local 79 in Tampa, while the Vermont workers will be joining Local 597 in South Barre, Vermont.
“Our UPS and freight members have done a great job developing a relationship with the UPS Freight workers, and communicating with them,” said Ken Wood, President of Teamsters Local 79 and an International Union Vice President. “Our members who helped out are very excited that their hard work paid off. I look forward to welcoming the UPS Freight workers to our local very soon.”
The Vermont victory marks the final UPS Freight terminal in New England where cards have been submitted for certification. On January 16, the union announced that a majority of workers at seven other locations in New England had submitted cards.
“With the UPS Freight workers in Vermont taking this step toward a more secure future, now a majority of all the UPS Freight workers in New England have taken that step,” said Dave Laughton, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Joint Council 10 who has helped lead the New England campaign.
“These latest worker victories once again are happening thanks to the efforts of our UPS and our freight members, who continue to do a great job talking about the benefits of being Teamsters,” said Ken Hall, Director of the Teamsters Package Division and International Union Vice President.
In addition to the Florida and Vermont workers, a majority of UPS Freight workers in Arizona, Fresno, Atlanta, Newburgh, Farmingdale, Louisville, Lexington, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Southern California, Oakland, Seattle, New England, Memphis and Detroit have submitted cards to become Teamsters.
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Teamsters National Black Caucus to Hold Annual Conference
The Teamsters National Black Caucus (TNBC) will hold its 33nd Annual Educational Conference and Banquet August 18-24 at the Crowne Plaza Downtown in St. Louis, Missouri.This year’s multi-faceted conference will continue the TNBC's time-honored tradition of providing educational programs and a rich array of opportunities for intellectual and professional growth for its participants through networking.
Download the hotel flier and conference and banquet registration form. Though the conference begins August 18, the hotel rooms at the Crowne Plaza Downtown will be available August 16.
The registration deadline is June 27, after which a $25 late fee applies. An additional $75.00 will be applicable to on-site registrations.
For more information about the TNBC conference, please contact Robert Turner at 323-292-8821 or Lou Richard at 314-863-8504.
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