ABF, Teamsters agree to tentative five-year contract

ABF Freight System and the Teamsters announced late Friday (May 3) they had reached a tentative agreement on a five-year labor contract.

The next step will include the Teamsters and company officials educating union members about the terms of the contract. The contract will eventually face a vote of qualified union members.

Neither side would release details on the agreement.

Coming to terms on a new labor contract with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters has been tough. The existing labor contract between ABF and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters was initially set to expire March 31 for the about 7,500 Arkansas Best employees represented by the Teamsters.

Negotiations and the contract have twice been extended, with the recent extension set to expire May 31. The Teamsters issued a statement on April 19 suggesting that new proposals from Arkansas Best have put the negotiations “at risk.” But the company has argued that wage concessions are necessary to ensure future profitability.  Full Story.....