The Teamsters are in the UAW's corner in its national strike against General Motors.
Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa, in a news release Monday, said his members will not cross or work behind picket lines. That includes some of the 10,000 Teamsters who deliver cars and trucks for the auto industry, including hundreds who haul trucks from the Flint Truck Assembly Plant.
"Workers should not solely bear the brunt of decades of bad business decisions by GM management. By outsourcing good jobs and creating a growing environment of economic and job insecurity, GM has failed its workers and its customers," Hoffa said in the release.
"This struggle highlights the ever-growing crisis in our nation's health care system and corporate America's continued pursuit of unfair trade deals. This approach has failed the American worker and is destroying the middle class."
Rod Eaton, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 332, said the move impacts about 500-600 members in the Flint area.
That includes vehicle haulers working in and out of GM's Flint Truck Assembly Plant and switchers working at GM's Flint Service and Parts Operations plant in Swartz Creek.
"It's going to knock out all of our car hauling at (Flint Truck)," Eaton said. "Our guys came out as soon as they were notified of the strike."
Eaton, an experienced negotiator, said some companies simply don't believe a union will strike.
He said it appears that is the situation at GM. Sometimes it takes the shock of a strike to show a company the union is serious, he noted.
Eaton said there is one positive sign in the strike so far: Both sides still are talking.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Change to Win reflects, 2 years after split
Boosting membership remains job No. 1
Two years after its controversial birth, Change to Win labor federation is making good on its pledge to reinvigorate the labor movement with more expansive and comprehensive organizing targeting tens of thousands of workers, its leaders contend.
But as the group prepares to kick off its second convention here Tuesday, those efforts haven't yet produced a payoff in increased union membership or deeper penetration in existing business sectors.
But as the group prepares to kick off its second convention here Tuesday, those efforts haven't yet produced a payoff in increased union membership or deeper penetration in existing business sectors. Continued....
Friday, September 21, 2007
New Hours-of-Service Ruling Delayed
Due to legal actions taken by the American Trucking Association (ATA) and the Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), the mandate to reduce the number of driving hours per day from 11 hours to 10 hours and to eliminate the 34-hour restart provision has been delayed.
On July 24, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit threw out the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) rules, which were put in place in 2003, allowing truck drivers to spend 11 hours behind the wheel and to restart their weekly clock after 34 hours rest.
The Teamsters, along with highway safety groups, challenged the rules in court.
It is the union's understanding that there will be no changes to the hours-of-service regulation until the court issues a final decision on the ATA and OOIDA actions.
The Teamsters will continue to fight any attempt by FMCSA to restore the 11-hour rule and the 34-hour restart provision and will keep you apprised of this matter as it further develops.
On July 24, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit threw out the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) rules, which were put in place in 2003, allowing truck drivers to spend 11 hours behind the wheel and to restart their weekly clock after 34 hours rest.
The Teamsters, along with highway safety groups, challenged the rules in court.
It is the union's understanding that there will be no changes to the hours-of-service regulation until the court issues a final decision on the ATA and OOIDA actions.
The Teamsters will continue to fight any attempt by FMCSA to restore the 11-hour rule and the 34-hour restart provision and will keep you apprised of this matter as it further develops.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
YRC Regional Transportation Appoints COO
YRC Regional Transportation, a subsidiary of trucking company YRC Worldwide Inc., said Wednesday that Keith Lovetro has been named senior vice president and chief operating officer.
Previously, Lovetro was executive vice president of marketing for DHL Express' U.S. operations. He has also served as the president and chief executive of FedEx Freight West in San Jose, Calif.
YRC Worldwide shares gained 19 cents to $29.31 in morning trading.
Previously, Lovetro was executive vice president of marketing for DHL Express' U.S. operations. He has also served as the president and chief executive of FedEx Freight West in San Jose, Calif.
YRC Worldwide shares gained 19 cents to $29.31 in morning trading.
Freight Local Union Leaders Endorse Contract Proposals
National Master Freight Agreement Negotiations Move Forward
On September 13, leaders from freight local unions from across the United States unanimously endorsed the contract proposals that will be submitted as part of the 2008 National Master Freight Agreement (NMFA) negotiations.
The leaders met in Chicago, where National Freight Division Director Tyson Johnson and Assistant Director Gordon Sweeton presented the proposals to local leaders.
The contract proposals will be presented to company representatives when the two sides meet in November.
On September 13, leaders from freight local unions from across the United States unanimously endorsed the contract proposals that will be submitted as part of the 2008 National Master Freight Agreement (NMFA) negotiations.
The leaders met in Chicago, where National Freight Division Director Tyson Johnson and Assistant Director Gordon Sweeton presented the proposals to local leaders.
The contract proposals will be presented to company representatives when the two sides meet in November.
Corporate chiefs welcome Fed rate cut
The leaders of U.S. companies welcomed the Federal Reserve's move to slash interest rates Tuesday, but one questioned whether it would be enough to revive a faltering economy.
"It will probably stop the bleeding, but the question is whether it will provide the impetus the economy needs," said Bill Zollars, chief executive of YRC Worldwide Inc., North America's largest trucking company.
"Unless we see a dramatic change, I believe we're going to need more (interest rate) cuts."
The Fed's half-percentage-point cut of benchmark rates met the most aggressive expectations on Wall Street as U.S. business struggles with a housing slump, ebbing consumer confidence and turmoil in the debt and equity markets.
CEOs from a range of sectors applauded.
"The more confidence that's coming from them (the Fed), the better. Any of that is good news right now," said James Hyatt, CEO of sandwich shop chain Cosi. "Any time they are getting involved, that's favorable to all of us who are running businesses and trying to chase consumers."
Recreational vehicle company Winnebago Industries also backed the Fed cut.
"Glad to see they dropped it half a percent," said Bruce Hertzke, CEO of the No. 1 U.S. motor home maker. "Think that'll help our business and the economy a little bit more. Should hopefully get things rolling again."
The National Association of Manufacturers, a lobby group for U.S. producers, unequivocally welcomed the cut.
"By lowering interest rates and reducing the cost of capital, today's decision will help boost business investment and keep the expansion on track," said the association's chief economist David Huether. "This is especially good news for durable goods manufacturers who produce capital goods."
"It will probably stop the bleeding, but the question is whether it will provide the impetus the economy needs," said Bill Zollars, chief executive of YRC Worldwide Inc., North America's largest trucking company.
"Unless we see a dramatic change, I believe we're going to need more (interest rate) cuts."
The Fed's half-percentage-point cut of benchmark rates met the most aggressive expectations on Wall Street as U.S. business struggles with a housing slump, ebbing consumer confidence and turmoil in the debt and equity markets.
CEOs from a range of sectors applauded.
"The more confidence that's coming from them (the Fed), the better. Any of that is good news right now," said James Hyatt, CEO of sandwich shop chain Cosi. "Any time they are getting involved, that's favorable to all of us who are running businesses and trying to chase consumers."
Recreational vehicle company Winnebago Industries also backed the Fed cut.
"Glad to see they dropped it half a percent," said Bruce Hertzke, CEO of the No. 1 U.S. motor home maker. "Think that'll help our business and the economy a little bit more. Should hopefully get things rolling again."
The National Association of Manufacturers, a lobby group for U.S. producers, unequivocally welcomed the cut.
"By lowering interest rates and reducing the cost of capital, today's decision will help boost business investment and keep the expansion on track," said the association's chief economist David Huether. "This is especially good news for durable goods manufacturers who produce capital goods."
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
ABF Earns Listing on the InformationWeek 500
ABF Freight System, Inc., has been cited as an innovator in information technology (IT) by InformationWeek magazine, which lists ABF on the 2007 InformationWeek 500. This marks the second consecutive year ABF has earned a place on the annual listing.
"By collaborating with our customers, ABF has developed the best shipping tools in the transportation industry. We are proud to see our efforts again validated by this recognition for IT innovation," says ABF President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Davidson. "ABF customers expect time-saving and money-saving applications and we have consistently met their needs by developing innovative, user-centric logistics management tools."
For nearly 20 years InformationWeek has identified and honored the nation's most innovative users of information technology with its annual listing. The list is unique among corporate rankings because it spotlights the power of innovation in information technology, rather than simply identifying the biggest IT spenders.
"The InformationWeek 500 honors today's leading companies who set the benchmark for business technology strategies and projects," said John Siefert, InformationWeek vice president and publisher. "The companies on our list are some of the most innovative users of technology."
"By collaborating with our customers, ABF has developed the best shipping tools in the transportation industry. We are proud to see our efforts again validated by this recognition for IT innovation," says ABF President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Davidson. "ABF customers expect time-saving and money-saving applications and we have consistently met their needs by developing innovative, user-centric logistics management tools."
For nearly 20 years InformationWeek has identified and honored the nation's most innovative users of information technology with its annual listing. The list is unique among corporate rankings because it spotlights the power of innovation in information technology, rather than simply identifying the biggest IT spenders.
"The InformationWeek 500 honors today's leading companies who set the benchmark for business technology strategies and projects," said John Siefert, InformationWeek vice president and publisher. "The companies on our list are some of the most innovative users of technology."
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