In spite of lawsuit, ABF says relationship with Teamsters largely beneficial

It’s old news by now — Fort Smith-based Arkansas Best Corp. filed suit against the Teamsters union in November.

What might surprise some is that Arkansas Best still regards its relationship with the Teamsters are largely beneficial. Arkansas Best is the parent company of ABF Freight System, a less-than-truckload carrier employing about 7,000 union drivers.

ABF took issue with certain concessions given by the Teamsters to YRC Worldwide, an Overland Park, Kan.-based less-than-truckload carrier employing about 25,000 union drivers. ABF filed its lawsuit asking for $750 million in damages that it suffered due to the alleged competitive advantage YRC was given in the marketplace due to the concessions. The complaint was dismissed in December by U.S. District Court Susan Webber Wright (Eastern District of Arkansas) for want of jurisdiction. Full Story.....