Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Latest Victories Include Nearly 350 Drivers, Dockworkers

An overwhelming majority of nearly 350 workers at the UPS Freight terminals in California, Colorado, Kentucky and Tennessee have signed authorization cards to become Teamsters, bringing the total number of drivers and dockworkers seeking to join the union to about 8,750 since January 16, Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa announced.

The workers are seeking to join Local 287 in San Jose, California,
Local 17 and Local 961 in the Denver, Grand Junction and Colorado Springs
area, Local 519 in the Knoxville and Chattanooga, Tennessee area, and Local
505 which includes Prestonburg, Kentucky.

"The number of workers that have signed cards in recent weeks has been
overwhelming," said Ken Hall, Director of the Teamsters Package Division.
"Their determination to become Teamsters will be rewarded with the union's
dedication to them to get them as strong a contract as we can."

"Now these workers have union protection that they never had before,"
said Midget Morgan, President of Local 505. "The workers are so excited to
join the Teamsters."

"These victories have been tremendously uplifting to all the workers
across the country," said Bob Blanchet, President of Local 287. "They see
hope for a better future around the corner."

"Workers here have been concerned about their benefits slowly going
away and were eager to join the Teamsters in order to get a contract," said
Chris Rodriguez, Vice-President and Business Agent of Local 17.

"This has been a long time coming and we look forward to a great
relationship with the workers and with the company," said Matt Fazakas,
President of Local 961. "I also thank Mr. Hoffa and Ken Hall for leading
our efforts."

"The workers here were very united and committed and we got this done,"
said Wes Trotterchaud, President of Local 519. "We're sending the message
that we are unified."

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