Moving Forward: IBT Wins Card-Check Neutrality at UPS Freight, Passes Resolution to Build Teamster Organizing Network

In an event where more than 7,000 members, retirees and guests gathered under the banner of "Moving Forward Together," the IBT’s 2006 Convention brought a piece of that theme home to members in a significant announcement: a card-check recognition agreement with UPS Freight. IBT General President James P. Hoffa, Parcel and Small Package Division Director Ken Hall and Freight Division Director Tyson Johnson announced the agreement at the Convention in Las Vegas on June 27.

UPS Freight is the former Overnite Transportation, purchased by UPS for $1.2 billion last year. The division of UPS has 17,000 employees who handle 41,000 shipments each day, producing revenue of $1.65 billion in 2004. Teamsters battled to organize workers under the Overnite name for two decades. Efforts included a three-year unfair labor practice strike against the company that ended October 2002.

Local 688 Secretary-Treasurer Michael Goebel said card-check recognition is a significant accomplishment for members and UPS Freight workers.

"This is a great opportunity to improve Teamster strength and bargaining power through organizing," Goebel said. "We can gain a stronger presence in the supply chain and the overall transportation industry."

Local 688 Organizer Steve Johnson said card check recognition can be an important step for workers attempting to gain a voice through unionization. He said workers going through the traditional National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) unionizing process often face a campaign of relentless attacks from employers and anti-union consultants. Twenty-five percent of employers illegally fired at least one worker for union activity during organizing campaigns and 75 percent hire consultants to help them combat unionizing. Some researchers estimate 50 percent of U.S. workers would belong to a union if they had stronger legal protections to organize. Currently, only 12.5 percent of the workforce is unionized. Card check recognition is an agreement where an employer will remain neutral and recognize the union once a majority of employees have signed membership cards. Compared to an NLRB election, it is an efficient, responsive process. NLRB elections can take eight to 10 weeks and even longer, giving outside consultants time to instill fear in the hearts and minds of those trying to organize.

"When we have the leverage to make it happen, card check recognition is a great tool," Johnson said. "It takes the politics and fear out of organizing and asks workers one simple question: do you want to unionize to make a difference in your workplace? For most people, the answer is yes."

Members also passed a key resolution titled "A Mighty Army of Teamster Organizers" the first day of the Convention—Monday, June 26—that focuses on creating an organizing infrastructure throughout the IBT. The network will share information among organizers, train members and staff in organizing and communicate how Teamsters can make a difference in the workplace to non-union workers.

Johnson said the resolution is important because it provides specific steps to increase organizing activity. Provisions include an organizer directory listing all local, joint council and IBT organizers, regularly scheduled conference calls among organizers to exchange information, a website communication forum for Teamster organizers and a commitment to develop rank-and-file member education and involvement in organizing.

Johnson said those steps help locals and joint councils set the foundation for good organizing programs. While Local 688 has had a full-time organizer for four years, the structure will help Local 688 build upon its existing program.

"We work hard to organize in a strategic way," Johnson said. "Having a stronger network throughout the U.S. will support our good work."

Call Steve Johnson at 314.513.5812 to learn how to get involved or make a difference in your workplace. You can also e-mail Teamsters Local 688 at czweifel@teamsterslocal688.com.