Taking On Taking On - Teamsters Local 25

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1279_Local25_Spring07.qxp 4/6/07 11:21 AM Page 12 NLRB Shoots Down FedEx’s Latest Ploy Board Rules That Local 25 Literature Was Not Misleading A National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) administrative law judge has shot down FedEx’s objections to the worker victories in Wilmington, Massachusetts, slamming the door on the company’s latest ploy to deny workers a strong voice on the job. In the wake of the October 20, 2006 election, in which FedEx Home Delivery workers voted 24-8 to join Local 25, FedEx filed charges with the NLRB. The company asserted that Local 25 sent two misleading pieces of campaign literature—a sample ballot and information about initiation dues—to workers prior to the vote. The NLRB judge ruled against the company on both objections. The company even had the audacity to assert that particular workers read English poorly, which the company argued increased the chances that they were mislead by the union’s literature. The administrative law judge dismissed that argument. “It seems to me, almost impossible to determine— objectively—short of extensive testing, whether someone’s reading skills are limited enough so that it increases the tendency of a document to mislead in any particular way,” the judge wrote. “Once again, FedEx will stop at nothing to try to deny these workers their federally protected right to form a union,” said Sean M. O’Brien, President of Local 25. “They even tried to insult our members’ intelligence and aptitude of English. Thankfully, the administrative law judge agreed that the company’s argument is a last-ditch effort to deny our members their rights.” On February 16, 2007, the judge issued the following recommendation: “The employer’s objections to conduct affecting the results of the elections in Local 25 President Sean M. O’Brien attended a FedEx strategy meeting in mid-March at the Teamsters Headquarters in Washington, D.C. O’Brien was a main speaker at the event, attended by union leaders and organizers from throughout the Northeast. O’Brien shared insights into the recent organizing victory at FedEx Home Delivery at two locations in Wilmington, Massachusetts. Local 25 Director of Organizing and Government Affairs Steven R. Sullivan and Organizer Steve South also attended. the above matters should be overruled. As the tally of ballots shows that the majority of valid votes counted have been cast for [Local 25] in each election, it is recommended that the Board certify [Local 25] as the collective-bargaining representative of employees in the appropriate units.” Workers at two FedEx Home Delivery locations in Wilmington voted for the Teamsters. Genaro Vargas, a driver in Wilmington, said he was pleased with the judge’s ruling. “I felt insulted that the company tried to say my English is not good enough to understand what Local 25 sent me,” Vargas said. “I am a proud Teamster, and I will not let FedEx try to take that away from me.” 10 | The SPOKESMAN | SPRING 2007 | www.teamsterslocal25.com
1279_Local25_Spring07.qxp 4/6/07 11:21 AM Page 13 UPS Freight Talks ‘Going Well’ Both Sides Agree On Numerous Non-Economic Items The Teamsters’ UPS Freight Negotiating Committee made steady progress during negotiations March 12-14, reaching agreement on 12 articles related to working conditions. More talks have been scheduled. The committee, meeting with UPS Freight outside of Washington, D.C., made progress on noneconomic items—language related to working conditions. Both sides are close to agreeing on a number of other non-economic articles. “The talks are going well and, based upon the pace of the latest talks, we are confident a strong agreement for the UPS Freight members in Indianapolis can be reached,” said Ken Hall, Director of the Teamsters Parcel and Small Package Division, who is co-chairman of the negotiating committee. “The negotiations in Indianapolis for our members at Local 135 will result in providing them with the same kind of strong contract language freight and UPS Teamsters currently enjoy,” said Gordon Sweeton, Assistant Director of the Teamsters National Freight Division, also co-chairman of the committee. “All of our members here at Local 135 are excited about the progress that is being made,” said Jeff Combs, Local 135’s organizer. “They know they will have a strong voice soon in the form of a Teamster contract. The negotiations will cover 125 drivers and dockworkers in Indianapolis. However, the Indianapolis contract will be a model national contract to organize the 300 other UPS Freight terminals nationwide, including the terminal in Billerica, Massachusetts. “I continue to closely monitor the UPS Freight talks,” said Sean M. O’Brien, Local 25 President. “We continue to keep in touch with the Billerica drivers, and we will keep them informed of any new developments. I look forward to providing the UPS Freight drivers here in Eastern Massachusetts with the strong voice they deserve.” Talks are scheduled to resume April 16 to April 19. www.teamsterslocal25.com | SPRING 2007 | The SPOKESMAN | 11
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Taking On Taking On - Teamsters Local 25

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