Thursday, March 18, 2010

The Teamsters Union Applies for certification to represent FedEx Workers in Barrie, Ontario

The Teamsters Union applies for certification to represent FedEx workers in Barrie, Ontario.

The Teamsters Union today applied for certification to represent the workers based at FedEx’s terminal in Barrie, Ontario.

The application was filed on behalf of the workers based at FedEx Express’ terminal in Barrie, Ontario.

These workers decided to join the Teamsters Union during the large-scale campaign launched in 2009 to organize FedEx workers.

“It seems that the decision made by FedEx’s administrative workers in Mississauga inspired others,” points out Robert Bouvier, president of Teamsters Canada. “The workers in Barrie have indicated that they wish to benefit from fair treatment from their employer.”

Dozens of organizers are taking part in this large-scale campaign. The Teamster Union will regularly update its FedEx campaign websites.

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.

Information:

Stéphane Lacroix, Director of Communications, Teamsters Canada

514-609-5101

 

In Solidarity,

 

Stéphane Lacroix

Director / Directeur

2 comments:

Joe Nuno said...

"HEY BIG SPENDER"

FedEx Spends Millions on Lobbyists,
NotWorkers
USA Today recently published this chart depicting the “Top 20
Spenders on Lobbying.” FedEx made the list, at No. 13. Our company
spent $9,335,000 in 2008 to lobby Congress and increased
that expense to $17,050,000 in 2009.
What could have fueled almost doubling FedEx’s expense on lobbying
in 2009? Does our legislation, “Express Carrier Employee
Protection Act” ring a bell? The legislation that helps us regain our
rights under Federal Law. The rights to freedom of association that
were swept away from all of us by FedEx lobbying efforts back in
1996.
FedEx is spending the money we help to generate for them on lobbying
Congress against its employees best interests. This doesn’t
seem right and certainly not fair.
All of this while our 401(k) matching funds are suspended, our insurance
costs go up while our coverage goes down, our defined
benefit pension plan is frozen and eliminated.
The money that is being used against us, could have been used to
help pay the cost for insurance, pay the high out of pocket expenses
we incur or even to save for retirement.
To keep FedEx from doing this again we need a written contract
with our employer to lock in our wages and benefits. So we don’t
have to pay for our company’s next whim.
__________________

Anaheim Driver said...

Dear Mr. Smith
In response to your letter dated March 18, 2010. I agree with you, FedEx is a strong, successful and vibrant organization. However, I have to disagree with the efficiency of your business model as it pertains to FedEx employees. Yes, we have built a world-class organization and we are an integral part of the world economy. But the employees of FedEx are demanding a more equitable share of the tremendous profits incurred by our dedication to hard work and our participation in the success of this organization.
Simply asking for better working conditions, for a better pension plan, and standardized job classifications will not place FedEx at risk. If we look at the history of organized labor they have and continue to experience tremendous success.
Organizations such as Police and Fire departments, many public and private transportation companies, entertainment organizations such as the Screen Actors’ Guild, Major League Sports player organizations, Teachers unions, public works utilities and Rail industries, including UPS and YRC. All these organizations are highly successful. All of these union organizations provide an adequate living for their members and give them a voice in their economic growth and they provide adequate benefits. The essence of labor unions is to give workers a stronger voice so they can get a fair share of the economic growth they help create, this has always been important to making the economy work for all Americans.
We know bad decisions have been made in the past. Purchasing Viking Freight, a company that prided itself in dedicated long-term employees. Employees who average 20-30 years of faithful service, and to turn that over to American Freightways Management under which employee’s average less six years of service, that means higher turnover. That is an executive decision.
The failure of the US Auto industry which turned-out an inferior product for two decades, was an executive decision designed to bring customers back into the show-room every five years.
With all due respect Mr. Smith, unionization of FedEx is inevitable, the damage done to the morale, mental and economical welfare of FedEx Employees is immeasurable.