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Is Chrysler planning an end run around Teamsters?

UAW president Bob King will be among those meeting with Chrysler Group LLC in labor negotiations soon and he believes the automaker intends to “buy $5 million in trucks to give to a non-union company to do work,” presumably transporting their vehicles with non-Teamsters.
Posted: July 15, 2011 - 6:23PM
Author: Don Bain

“You’ve got a war with the UAW if you try to outsource Teamster jobs to non-union carriers,” King said in a speech to the International Brotherhood of Teamsters convention in La Vegas, now posted on their website.

King will indeed lead the UAW’s contract negotiations with Chrysler, which is controlled by Fiat SpA , General Motors Co. and Ford Motor Co. officially beginning later this month. The UAW will push back against efforts to outsource Teamster jobs, according to a post by Tim Higgins on Bloomberg.com this morning.

We’re going to stand with the Teamsters,” he said. “We’re going to fight not only to keep the jobs you have, but where they are using non-union carriers, we’re going to fight together to make that 100 percent union, 100 percent Teamster,” he said, invoking the revered yet tarnished name of former Teamster president Jimmy Hoffa.

Hoffa disappeared in late July 1975, outside the Machus Red Fox restaurant in suburban Detroit. No further trace of the labor leader has ever been found.

Automotive News
Chrysler

Comments

Anonymous (not verified)    July 16, 2011 - 7:48AM

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Get rid of the Teamsters! We, as consumers, must pay the bullshit delivery fee/destination charge. This is a result of overtly high union pay for a truck driver! I've dealt with the Teamsters and they, like tine UAW, are worthless. If Chrysler can drop the Teamsters in favor of a cheaper, non union but still American transport company, then I say go for it.

IHYPH (not verified)    July 17, 2011 - 10:59AM

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Hey Assonymous,

The Teamster Truck- Driver is the only way to go! I have delt with Teamster drivers on a daily basis and found out that the Teamster driver is clean, respectable and very profesional. On the other hand, I have delt with non-union drivers who are dirty and very bitter. I say organize the non-union drivers so the too can have some dignity and respect. Go Teamsters........Go Union!