National Teamster Pipeline Strike Expands to California

News provided by

International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Jan 11, 2012, 04:01 ET

Pipeline Construction Contractors' Attack on Retirement Security Could Threaten Thousands of Jobs in California

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Teamster pipeline construction workers in California went on strike today to protest the continued attack on their retirement security by the Pipe Line Contractors Association (PLCA). The action threatens thousands of jobs in California, and is an expansion of a national strike that began on Jan. 1 in Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

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The union has negotiated in good faith with the PLCA, agreeing to past proposals by the association to participate in alternative pension funds. However, the PLCA continues to change positions. Ultimately the PLCA is trying to force Teamsters into a 401(k) savings plan and eliminate all traditional defined benefit pensions.

"It's extremely difficult to find common ground at the negotiating table when the other side won't stand by its own proposals," said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa. "No one profits from this dispute continuing except the PLCA's attorneys. Let's get this done so we can help put America back to work."

With the strike extending to locations in California, the launch of a massive pipeline construction project may be delayed. The Pacific Gas and Electric project will stretch from San Diego to San Francisco and provide thousands of much-needed jobs for the beleaguered state.

Actions have spread across the country over the past week, as Teamsters raised pickets in New Jersey, Ohio and California. The national strike to protect retirement security will expand to locations in Alabama, North Carolina, Minnesota and Wisconsin in the coming weeks, and has impacted an estimated 5,000 workers from other trade unions that are honoring the picket lines.

"We appreciate the overwhelming solidarity shown by our brothers and sisters at other pipeline construction unions who have individually chosen to honor Teamster picket lines," Hoffa said. "They understand that if the PLCA is allowed to destroy the Teamster pension, it opens the door to the association driving down standards for all of the unions that work pipeline construction."

The highly trained and skilled Teamsters perform the difficult driving tasks related to hauling and laying pipe at pipeline construction sites. The National Pipe Line Agreement between the Teamsters and the PLCA expired Jan. 31, 2011, but was extended twice, ultimately expiring on Dec. 31, 2011.

The PLCA is an association of more than 70 large and small, public and private, construction companies that build and maintain the pipeline infrastructure for the highly profitable oil and gas industries.

Founded in 1903, the Teamsters Union represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @TeamsterPower.

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters