UPS Freight Workers in Mechanicsburg, Pa., Sign Cards to Become Teamsters

[Earth Bound Misfit]

In Latest Victories, About 660 Drivers, Dockworkers Will Join Teamsters

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- An overwhelming
majority of about 660 workers at the UPS Freight (formerly Overnite
Transportation) terminal in Mechanicsburg, Pa., have signed authorization
cards to become Teamsters, bringing the total number of drivers and
dockworkers who have signed cards to about 12,400 since January 16,
Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa announced. The workers will be
joining Local 776 in Harrisburg.

Currently, 11,800 UPS Freight workers are covered by a Teamster
contract. In April, a new UPS Freight contract covering 9,900 workers was
ratified by an 89 percent margin which improves wages, benefits and working
conditions. More than 1,700 workers voted last month to ratify the
contract--these workers were certified after the April ratification vote.

With the Mechanicsburg victory, about 200 UPS Freight workers at a
handful of terminals around the country have not signed cards to become
Teamsters.

"In less than one year, nearly all of the UPS Freight drivers and
dockworkers eligible to join the Teamsters have signed cards and most of
them are already enjoying the benefits and protections of a Teamster
contract," said Teamsters Package Division Director Ken Hall. "These
workers have overcome a long history of vicious anti-union campaigns by
previous employers, but they are finally getting the respect they deserve.
I am confident the few remaining terminals will not want to be left behind
and the workers there will turn their cards in soon."

"This is an historic event for our Local Union and the International
Brotherhood of Teamsters," said Daniel Virtue, President of Local 776. "We
have submitted a majority of cards for the 660 UPS Freight workers employed
at the company's largest terminal in the country. I invite all of our
membership, but especially workers in our Freight and Package divisions to
welcome their new brothers and sisters from UPS Freight. Together we are a
stronger voice in the transportation industry."