UPS Freight Workers in Kentucky Sign Cards to Become Teamsters

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An Overwhelming Majority of Workers Seek To Join Locals 89, 651

January 25, 2008 -- (Washington, D.C.) – An overwhelming majority of about 300 workers at the UPS Freight (formerly Overnite Transportation) terminals in Louisville and Lexington, in Kentucky, have signed authorization cards to become Teamsters, bringing the total number of drivers and dockworkers seeking to join the union to about 2,500 since last week, Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa announced.

“As more and more cards are submitted to the arbitrator for certification, more and more workers are on their way to a more secure future at UPS Freight,” Hoffa said.

“Our goal is to organize 12,600 drivers and dockworkers at UPS Freight, and just two weeks into the campaign the majority of 20 percent of the workers have taken the step forward to win a strong voice at work,” said Ken Hall, Director of the Teamsters Package Division.

The Louisville workers are seeking to join Local 89, while the Lexington workers are seeking to join Local 651.

“Once the workers are certified as Teamsters, I look forward to negotiating a strong contract that protects their interests,” said Fred Zuckerman, President of Louisville-based Local 89.

“I want to thank all the UPS Freight workers, our organizers and Vice President Ken Hall for all their help in this campaign,” said John Roush, President of Lexington-based Local 651.

In addition to the workers in Louisville and Lexington, a majority of UPS Freight workers in Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Southern California, Oakland, Seattle, New England, Memphis and Detroit have submitted cards to become Teamsters.

Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters