Teamsters Protest Fiat/Chrysler at Red Wings Game, Auto Show

Outside Joe Louis Arena and Cobo Center, ask Fiat/Chrysler to Stop the Job Loss

News provided by

International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Jan 17, 2010, 01:07 ET

DETROIT, Jan. 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --Today, dozens of Teamsters who deliver new cars for a living handbilled outside the Chicago Blackhawks-Detroit Red Wings hockey game and outside the North American International Auto Show to ask Fiat/Chrysler not to destroy the jobs that support them and their families.

Fiat/Chrysler received $14 billion in the taxpayer-funded auto bailout that was meant to help the economy and save jobs. However, they are now moving work away from the professional carhaul companies that have delivered their vehicles to dealerships for many years. These companies and their workers have already accepted major economic concessions. Some carhaul drivers have seen wage cuts up to 17.5 percent. The loss of this work could put these carriers out of business, leaving thousands in Michigan and elsewhere without jobs and health care.

Outside Joe Louis Arena and the Cobo Center, Teamster members handed out leaflets to attendees that read, "Fiat/Chrysler Wants Detroit to Lose Good Jobs." In the sky overhead an airplane circled, trailing a banner that read, "Fiat/Chrysler Wants Detroit to Lose."

"After Fiat/Chrysler received so much taxpayer money, it is disappointing that they would outsource good Michigan carhaul jobs to low-wage contractors," said Teamster Carhaul Division Director Fred Zuckerman. "In this economy, America cannot afford to lose even more good jobs with good benefits. American taxpayers, who thought Fiat/Chrysler would repay them with gratitude and loyalty instead of greed, are being betrayed."

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters was founded in 1903 and represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters