UPS Freight Workers in Wisconsin Vote Unanimously to Ratify Contract

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International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Mar 05, 2010, 12:28 ET

Teamsters Now Represent Nearly All Eligible UPS Freight Workers

WASHINGTON, March 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- UPS Freight workers in LaCrosse, Wis., unanimously voted to ratify their first-ever contract as Teamsters. The Teamsters now represent nearly all of the 12,600 UPS Freight drivers and dockworkers eligible to join the union.

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The workers, who service hard-to-reach areas outside of UPS Freight's existing terminals, are represented by Teamsters Local 695 in Madison, Wis.

"These workers now have a strong voice in the workplace and the benefit of working under a good contract," said Teamsters Package Division Director Ken Hall. "We are proud to have these workers join our ranks and we look forward to representing them."

"These workers were very patient but very anxious to become part of the bargaining unit," said Wayne Schultz, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 695. "We're very happy they are Teamsters and can now enjoy the benefits of the contract."

Schultz credited Local 695 Business Agent Rob Moss for being the driving force to get these drivers into the bargaining unit.

"The drivers are thrilled to finally be Teamsters and we welcome them to our union," Moss said.

The Teamsters kicked off the organizing campaign in 2006 when the union organized UPS Freight (formerly Overnite Transportation) workers in Indianapolis and negotiated a contract with the company that was ratified by a 107-1 vote in October 2007. The Teamsters won a card-check agreement from UPS in December 2007, and in January 2008, launched its nationwide campaign. By November 2008, the Teamsters represented more than 12,400 UPS Freight workers in 42 states.

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

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters