Thursday, August 25, 2011

UPS FREIGHT CLERKS AT FIVE TERMINALS JOIN TEAMSTERS

Majorities of clerical workers at five UPS Freight terminals across the country have signed authorization cards to join the Teamsters, International Vice President and Package Division Director Ken Hall announced today.

The majorities in these terminals were certified by an independent arbitrator less than two months after Hall’s announcement at the 28th International Convention that the Teamsters were victorious in winning a card-check agreement at UPS Freight covering nearly 1,000 operations clerks.

“The UPS Freight clerks are eager for a strong contract that only Teamster representation can provide, and I’m pleased to welcome our newest Teamsters,” Hall said.

Majorities of clerks at Stoneham, Mass., signed cards to join Teamsters Local 25; Farmingdale, N.Y. clerks have joined Local 707; Rialto and Fontana, Calif., clerks have become members of Local 63 and Indianapolis clerks have joined Local 135. Also, clerks are being signed up at more than 80 other terminals.

The clerks are both full-time and part-time workers whose jobs it is to see to it that freight dispatch, billings and operations run smoothly at UPS Freight terminals. They work side by side with Teamster drivers and dockworkers, and saw firsthand the strength that comes with joining the Teamsters Union as former Overnite workers.

The Teamsters Union organized more than 12,000 drivers and dockworkers at UPS Freight, also under a card-check agreement.

“There are some very excited clerks in Indianapolis who have been interested in joining the union since 2006, when the UPS Freight organizing drive began here,” said Brian Buhle, International Vice President and Secretary-Treasurer of Local 135.

The clerical workers in Long Island who signed cards and are now represented by the Teamsters are eager for more workers to sign cards, so we can get down to the business of negotiating a contract for them,” said. Kevin McCaffrey, President of Teamsters Local 707 in New York.

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