Tuesday, February 16, 2010

FedEx workers join the Teamsters Union!

This is for all my managers who said " FedEx will never let it's employees organize.."
You see Russ,Farrin,John,Milford,Andy,Greg,Johnny L.,Chris and the list goes on forever! It never was up to FedEx. It has always been up to the "Employee's" of this company.

Rudy,
and all of the FedEx Watch Dogs


FedEx workers join the Teamsters Union!

For the first time in the history of organized labour in North America, FedEx workers have decided to unionize and have chosen the Teamsters Union to represent them…Toronto, February 15, 2010 – Thanks to the relentless efforts of its organizers, the Teamsters Union announces that it now represents FedEx’s administrative workers in Mississauga, Ontario.


“This is a historical event for FedEx workers and the entire labour movement,” claims Robert Bouvier, president of Teamsters Canada. “This company is well known for its anti-union attitude, but this development demonstrates beyond all doubt that these workers had had enough of their employer’s arbitrary decisions.”

This large-scale campaign began in 2009 and mobilizes dozens of organizers, members of several Local Unions throughout the country as well as Teamsters Canada representatives.

The application for certification was filed on Friday February 12 with the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB). An application for certification is a formal document that confirms that a union represents a group of workers.

The employer may attempt to object to its workers’ decision. The president of Teamsters Canada has therefore warned them that their employer could try to stall the procedure.

“We will continue to stand with these men and women for as long as it takes,” adds Mr. Bouvier. “Furthermore, we have learned that they earn to up $16,000 less than their brothers and sisters employed by Purolator. That is one of the many reasons that convinced them to contact us for help.”

The Teamsters intends to continue to help all FedEx workers legal right to form a union.


The Teamsters Union represents 125,000 members in Canada in all trades. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, with which Teamsters Canada is affiliated, has 1.4 million members in North America.

-30-


Information:
Stéphane Lacroix, Director of Communications, Teamsters Canada
514-609-5101

www.teamsters.ca
www.fedexworkers.org

26 comments:

circus_watchdog said...

I guarantee that anything good those workers are able to negotiate will come out of the pay of those of us in the state.

The company will spin it as though this is the fault of the Teamsters or the workers themselves. The sad fact is that this is a good tactic. There are many employees who will fall for it, and rather than get with the program and become one large organized workforce, they will blame it on the workers and whine that, "they're getting more than me!" Or "They're pay is coming out of my pocket!"

The lesson her is that simple people have simple thoughts and can, therefore, be simply manipulated. It's like our own
in-house teabagger movement!

The FedEx Watch Dogs said...

This is what Tito and Jesse were fighting for at our division of FedEx. Just to have a voice in the company and some input for their personnel stake at FedEx.
Canada shows us that there is power in numbers. At Ocy and Wht terminals, Tito and Jesse were not only ousted by management. But also by fellow employees who would believe the lies and propaganda that Andy and Mike H. would tell these individuals.
Tito and Jesse your efforts and dedication to organizing FedEx will not be forgotten.

Joe Nuno said...

When I first started to organize FedEx frt. and was being introduced into Change to Win, I do remember when Russ and Farrin cornered me in farrin’s office, telling me that the Teamsters will never ever enter at FedEx, that Fred Smith wouldn't allow this. Russ also told me that I would have to organize all of FedEx and that it would be impossible for me to do this by myself. I told Russ and Farrin that it could be done, if man can move mountains across the lands and build islands in the ocean, then nothing is impossible to do and I accepted that challenge. So Rudy and I started networking with terminals in the western region and manage to succeed. Then Rudy and I started to connect with Memphis Tennessee FedEx Express, the mother company and that blow across the entire nation, and now our Brothers and Sisters from Canada, now that is a major labor movement. Wow, like I told you Russ and Farrin nothing is impossible, having faith in God will lead me to the right path.

Anonymous said...

right now Andy is thinking of ways to harass pro Union workers at WHT

Anonymous said...

Tito was fired because he is to stupid to read a simple trailer number on more than one occasion thats all there are other union supporters who dont get harrased because they can get their job done the right way

FEDEX WATCHDOGS said...

FedEx's Anti-Union Drive


Concerned
Jun 15, 2009 3:48 PM GMT
HERE IS A LIST OF COMPANIES COVERED BY THE NLRA. ITS NOT JUST ABOUT UPS OR FEDEX EXPRESS. THIS IS ABOUT PARITY IN THE TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY! UPS/YRC Worldwide/JB Hunt Transport Services/Schneider National/Con-way/Swift Transportation/Landstar System/Werner Enterprises/U.S. Xpress Enterprises/Arkansas Best Corp/Old Dominion Freight Line/Estes Express Lines/Crete Carrier Corp/FFE Transportation Services/FedEx Freight/FedEx National LTL/FedEx Custom Critical/FedEx Ground/Greatwide Logistics/C.R. England/Saia/AverittExpress/Prime/CRST International/R+L Carriers/NFIIndustries/Kenan Advantage Group/Covenant TransportationGroup/Knight Transportation/Universal Truckload Services/Ruan Transportation Management Services /Southeastern Freight Lines/Allied Holdings/DHL Ground/Quality Distribution/Anderson Trucking Service/Vitran/Heartland Express/Interstate Distributor/Celadon/Dart Transit/Western Express/ Smithway Motor Xpress/Ryder System/Roadrunner Transportation Services/Comcar Industries/AAA Cooper Transportation/USA Truck/Marten Transport/Shevell Group/Central Transportation International/Dynamex.

WOW AND MOST OF THESE TRUCKING COMPANIES ARE BEING USE ACROSS THE NATION OF FEDEX FREIGHT YARDS. JUST TO BREAK-UP OUR UNION DRIVE.

brian said...

To those who call out unions bringing down corporations and causing chaos: UPS would not be nearly as productive and profitable if it were not for the Teamsters. And yes it goes the other way around as well, the Teamsters definitely depend on UPSs success. Fed-Ex has has a good run since the 70's basically, but time has come to pay the piper it seems. I am a 8 year and F/T UPS'er and Teamster, and although do not want Fed-Ex to go under or "suffer" in any way, I do agree that their package handling, moving and delivery operation should all be classified under the NLRB act; especially as it is clear that given the opportunity, many Fed-Ex locations would organize at a local level in a heartbeat. good job guys from FedEx,now is time to snowball it.

FEDEX ONTARIO CA said...

No one forces fedex to unionize, and you guys are right, it's up to us employees at FedEx to choose. This change would simply give others employees a chance to vote. It seems that even the most anti-union person would like to have the right to vote for or against it. That is truly how you voice your opinion. I am personally for it but some others aren't and I don't hold any hatred for them. When you compare the wages and benefits that a UPS driver has compared to an Fedex express driver there isn't a comparison. The contract UPS has blows fedex away. Plus there is absolutely no job protection at fedex. Everything is put to the discretion of immediate management.If a new manager comes in that doens't like you it doesn't matter how long you've been with the company you can be targeted and fired.

betty boop said...

I hope all the fedex drivers out here in L.A thank the Canadians for what they are trying to do for us. Many workers wouldnt have the wage or the benifits they do with out the unions!! So next time you see big brown rolling by us thank him for trying to keep you and our familys safe!! Lets join now!!!

Anonymous said...

Hey guys 11 year fedex employee. 1st id like to say that fedex is an awesome company but we do have a payroll issue they need to address. I think we are going to see them fix that in the coming months. But as far us us having to go into a Union? Let me 1st say that is the most ridiculous thing ever. You guys are looking at like Fedex is fighting a simple rule. Its UPS who is fighting to get this rule in place for Fedex employees. Why would any company in the world be doing research and spending millions of dollars to help your rival companies employees? I would think you should be watching what we do to see why are company is doing so well in comparison. Secondly I would like to ask if you have heard of Chrysler or GM? Why do you think they are going under? The UNIONS. So why force someone in to getting "HELP" when its not needed. If the Democrats vote in favor of this I just may reconsider that thought about moving to Canada. 1 more thing if this goes every single employee would have to do a vote. I cant tell you for a fact that every station has about 10% for a union. So stop worrying.

wilson said...

Fred Smith has always seemed to be anti-union. He told the Wall Street journal in 1989 �??I don't intend to recognize any unions at Federal Express.�?? That can be found here: http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/fedex/fed-up-with-fedex/the-anti-union-campaign-at-fedex-ground.html In October of 2008 he said "FedEx is not anti-union in any way. The Teamsters are in the business of trying to represent people and collecting dues from them. They've been trying to represent FedEx employees for 35 years. The Teamsters have not had success here not because we're doing anything that's anti-Teamster but because we're doing things that are very pro-employee. " That can be found here: http://money.cnn.com/2008/10/03/magazines/fortune/fedex_okeefe.fortune/index.htm My question is if the latter is true then why would he be worried about the classification of Express being changed to where it's employees can vote for a Union on a local level. If that statement is true it seems like he wouldn't care if it were changed or not because he believes his employees wouldn't vote for it. All this is about is the right to vote for a Union, not whether Unions are good or bad.

driver said...

The Teamster UPS pension is very well funded and better than most in any industry. It shows management and labor unions can and do work together well. UPS management gets alot out of their employees because they compensate them well and give them a carrer path to follow. And they do. The FedEx employees are also good, and deserve the same respect and opportunity as the UPSers. If they don't want a union, let them say so, but give them the choice. I bet the Fed Ex pilots hare glad they have that choice. Those of you who hate unions reflexively should just consider the benefits the unions have benefitted working prople- decent wages, paid holidays, pensions, weekends, healthcare, legal aid, on the job respect. UPS invited the Union in long ago. They have honored their employees, and their employees have responded by making them the best company in the industry. Many kudos to UPS MGT and Teamsters. I hope they are successful in their honorable request to end Fed Ex management's slimy way of cheating their emplpyees out of the wages and respect they for which they work very hard.

MR.ASSHOLE MARIO said...

Fred Smith has succeeded in uniting both the Teamsters and UPS Management, long time adversaries, against him. What a bonehead move. UPS is the most powerful company in the industry, the Teamsters are the most productive, well paid and politically actve force in labor. Great job Fred, you deserve a unionized workforce, and I hope you enjoy it!!

UNPROTECTED FEDEX DRIVER said...

Amazing to read how many people flat don't understand the facts. This isn't about Unionizing. This isn't about lay-offs or the econmic times. It is about companies that have employees doing the same exact job being under the same exact government regulations. They are both package delivery companies. They both offer numerous door to door delivery options. Congress needs to get it right for once and place both companies under the same regulations

Anonymous said...

Teamsters should go look for business elsewhere. You don't have to dig deep to get a feel for their record. All I am going to say is D-E-T-R-O-I-T. WE DON'T NEED A UNION HERE AT FEDEX FRT,WE ARE VERY HAPPY HERE.

cave man said...

FedEx Express in the states of the union won't have to unionize. The will be able to lay off all the FedEx Express couriors and give those packages under contract to their sister company Ground, which is service by an independent contractors (Hard Workers). FedEx Express and FedEx Ground run on top of eachother. The only reason Ground trucks do not deliver Express packages is because Express in, in fact, an airline. This will back-fire ten-fold on UPS and the Teamsters. Express couriers have it pretty good. They deliver time-sensitive materials that are not all that cumbersome compared to FedEx Ground and UPS' cargo. Mark my words, FedEx Corp is full of innovators (it means find better ways of doing things). The NLRA is not catching anyone by suprise over there. They will get to cut costs even more, if they loose their classification because they will be able to contract all of it with a standing and able work force of business owners.

bill said...

FedEx employees have always had the right to unionize. The fact that so very few of them have opted to do so has less to do with the RLA than the fact that, on balance, they are well treated by a management that gets it when it comes to treating people right.

Anonymous said...

Its all about a fair market . . . thats what everyone wants now, right? FedEX should be held under the same regulations!as UPS
right circus_watchdog..

Anonymous said...

NO ONE EVER SAID YOU GUYS COULDN'T HAVE A CHOICE,YOU JUST DON'T HAVE OTHERS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE, I DON'T SEE ANY ONE COMPLAINING ABOUT THEIR JOB STATUS,WHY FIX IT

Anaheim Driver said...

Oh Canada, oh Canada, our neighbor to the north is showing us the North American fighting sprite! The next battleground for FedEx unionization is Southern California and in particular FedEx Freight. It is time for the Southern California FedEx workers to stand-up and account for themselves. Many of my fellow FedEx workers have been riding the fence on union issues.
I will admit, while we operated under Viking management, it would have been hard to organize a union. But today, the anger is so effusive all we need at this point is to set a date for the vote.
The issues are payroll problems, job assignments, job classifications, purchased transportation and the backwoods attitudes of Harrison, Ar. Dispatch. For example, when CLC was in Tucson and a Dispatcher made a mistake, they would own-up to it. They would correct the problem whether it was compensation or scheduling. The Harrison Dispatchers will lie to the very end, never admitting their error.
With the history of Harrison, Ar. and Boone County, who would have ever considered establishing a headquarters there? There is no diversity in part of Arkansas! Your strategic plan should have included crossing cultural and ethnic boundaries.
The question we FedEx employees must ask ourselves is? Is it time to fight for our middle-class existence or do you want to settle for whatever the Boss gives you? And put the welfare of our families in the hands of corporate flunky.

P.S. Tito Ayalya was a union supporter the first day I met him

Anonymous said...

Tito was organizing and was fired because he was a Union organizer. WHT management knew he was organizing.

Anonymous said...

Even with Tito being fired Fedex managers still log on to the website and blg in harassing him. What a joke...........

Anonymous said...

Why do Fedex Managers keep blogging in about Tito?

Anonymous said...

Sorry but I'v been through the changes and we need a change for us. 24 year driver at fedex frt

fedup said...

sfv driver, i speak for the majority of people here. if we could we would go union here. fedxfrt already closed all the terminals it doesnt need, when they shut national down. and kept the ones they need. also if fred smith did not want the union in here, he would take good care of his employes. we should be making the same top of scale as the federal express drivers do. and those guys hold a class c drivers license.

Anonymous said...

I worked for these guys 34 years. The management teams in many areas have completely lost sight of who makes them successful. The guys and gals delivering that's who! I don't really see any chance of FedEx getting a union as long as they are under the Railroad Act. Fedex is going to fight this rule hard so it's almost impossible for them to be organized. They need 2nd party rep. as the company has pushed people way to far...mgt. doesn't really care as profit is the basis for decisions any more. Bottom line I got a chance to leave take my retirement and go work somewhere that appreciates my talents and work ethics. If you're complaining about getting a union, you're waisting your breath as FedEx will keep that Railway Labor Act as currently written and there's simply no way a union can or will get in. If ya don't like it at FedEx go somewhere else. There are better paying jobs and better benifets out there. I found it you can to.