Teamsters Local 492

"Right-to-Work" For Less

Article writen by the AFl-CIO:

Right-to-work for less doesn’t guarantee any rights. In fact, by weakening unions and collective bargaining, it destroys the best job security protection that exists: the union contract. Meanwhile, it allows workers to pay nothing and get all the benefits of union membership. Right to work laws say unions must represent all eligible employees, whether they pay dues or not. This forces unions to use their time and members’ dues money to provide union benefits to free riders who are not willing to pay their fair share.

Right to work laws lower wages for everyone. The average worker in a right to work state makes about $5,333 a year less than workers in other states ($35,500 compared with $30,167).[1] Weekly wages are $72 greater in free-bargaining states than in right to work states ($621 versus $549).[2] Working families in states without right to work laws have higher wages and benefit from healthier tax bases that improve their quality of life.

Federal law already protects workers who don’t want to join a union to get or keep their jobs. Supporters claim right to work laws protect employees from being forced to join unions. Don’t be fooled—federal law already does this, as well as protecting nonmembers from paying for union activities that violate their religious or political beliefs. This individual freedom argument is a sham.

Right to work endangers safety and health standards that protect workers on the job by weakening unions that help to ensure worker safety by fighting for tougher safety rules. According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, the rate of workplace deaths is 51 percent higher in states with right to work, where unions can’t speak up on behalf of workers.[3]

Right to work laws just aren’t fair to dues-paying members. If a nonunion worker is fired illegally, the union must use its time and money to defend him or her, even if that requires going through a costly legal process. Everyone benefits, so all should share in the process. Nonmembers can even sue the union if they think it has not represented them well enough.

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Teamster Freight Members Ratify YRCW Restructuring Plan

October 30, 2010

Agreement Is Aimed at Saving More Than 25,000 Jobs

(Washington, D.C.) – Teamster members who work at YRC Worldwide Inc.’s (YRCW) operating companies YRC, Holland and New Penn have ratified the “Restructuring Plan” that is aimed at saving more than 25,000 union jobs. YRC and Holland members ratified the agreement by a 62 percent to 38 percent margin, while members at New Penn ratified the agreement by a 69 to 31 percent margin. About 67 percent of YRCW Teamsters cast ballots.

Click Here to View the preliminary vote results.

The ratified Restructuring Plan is the product of months of discussions and difficult negotiations by the Teamsters National Freight Industry Negotiating Committee (TNFINC) in consultation with Teamster local unions. On September 29, leaders from Teamster freight local unions unanimously recommended to send the plan to a membership vote. Union members voted by mail over the past three weeks and ballots were counted this weekend.

“We realize that in ratifying this Restructuring Plan our members will continue to make huge sacrifices, which have been very difficult for our members and their families during the worst economic recession in decades,” said Tyson Johnson, Director of the Teamsters National Freight Division. “However, we firmly believe this plan is the only hope for saving our members’ jobs as this recession continues to cause so much hardship.”

“As painful as the sacrifices are on an individual level, our members understood that by approving this Restructuring Plan they would be setting the stage for the company’s existing lenders to do their part and make this company an attractive investment for new investors and preserve their jobs,” Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa said. “As this restructuring moves forward over the next three to six months, the union will be involved every step of the way.”

During negotiations with the company, the union received input from a team of experienced, respected and independent financial and restructuring experts it assembled over the past year to verify the company’s financial situation and to assist in developing this restructuring plan. Through this lengthy and ongoing process, the union has reviewed numerous financial and operational reports on YRCW and determined that this Restructuring Plan is the only avenue to save and hopefully grow the respective companies it operates.

The Restructuring Plan modifies and extends the current National Master Freight Agreement (NMFA) and Supplemental Agreements for a two-year period until March 31, 2015 and provides for annual wage and benefit increases including a resumption of partial pension contributions beginning in June 2011.

In addition to participating in the debt reduction and equity investment discussions to create a sustainable company, the union will require equity ownership of the company and, at a minimum, one additional board seat. The plan also calls for continued equal sacrifice—management and non-union employees are required to participate in cost sharing in an equal manner. The plan has additional compensation improvements for Teamster members based on the company’s future operating performance.

James P. Hoffa General President, International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Jobs Day Rally 2011

Location:

Fraternal Order of Eagles

833 Early St., Santa Fe, NM

North on St. Francis Drive to Cerrillos Rd. Turn Right on Cerrillos to 1st Street on the right is Early Street. Click Here for a Map of the area.

"Right-to-Work" For Less

"Right-to-Work" For Less

Teamster Freight Members Ratify YRCW Restructuring Plan