Challenger

skinnytrucker · Nov 27, 2009

The Teamsters are launching their campaign to organize Challenger's workers

"These workers are the basis for the success of these companies and they
deserve respect. The success of a trucking company is not built in the
offices of top management, but rather on board its trucks."

TORONTO, Nov. 27 /CNW Telbec/ - Today, the Teamsters Union launches its campaign to organize Challenger group workers, which includes Challenger Motor Freight, Elgin Motor Freight, and Lodwick Transport.
After receiving numerous phone calls from Challenger workers, the Teamsters Union decided to set up a team that will enter into contact with them.
"The truckers have had enough of their employer's arbitrary decisions and contacted us since we are the leading union in the road transport industry in Canada," explained Robert Bouvier, president of Teamsters Canada. "Some of these individuals allegedly suffer undue pressure from their bosses; we consider this to be unacceptable behavior that will be corrected in the very near future."
It also seems that the workers of the three trucking companies have not received a pay increase since 2003 and also have no retirement plan.
"The strength of our union enables us to bargain working conditions that are the envy of workers in all industries," added the Teamsters Canada's president. "More than 20,000 workers have understood this and have joined us over the past few years. There are surely reasons for this."
Several elements of the non-monetary and work organization clauses are said to be at the heart of the dispute between Challenger, Elgin, and Lodwick and their workers, in particular forced dispatch, seniority, and switches.
"These workers are the basis for the success of these companies and they deserve respect," advised Robert Bouvier. "The success of a trucking company is not built in the offices of top management, but rather on board its trucks."
The campaign, which begins this morning, affects nearly 1,500 workers in all areas of Canada.
The Teamsters union represents tens of thousands of truckers in North America and has hundreds of local unions in the United States and Canada.
Teamsters Canada has launched a bilingual informational website for workers at Challenger, Elgin, and Lodwick. The site can be accessed at www.teamsters-challenger.ca.

The Teamsters Union represents 125,000 members in Canada in all trades. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, with which Teamsters Canada is affiliated, has 1.4 million members in North America.
For further information: Stéphane Lacroix, Director of Communications, Teamsters Canada, (514) 609-5101
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elmo01 · Nov 27, 2009

good deal.. about time...

miakica · Nov 27, 2009

elmo01 said: ↑

good deal.. about time...
Click to expand...

Yep...teamsters are coming....

Its gonna be great...

RickG · Nov 27, 2009

You'd better look at what happened to DHL in the U.S. when they ratified a contract . The company closed down U.S. operations before the Teamster workers saw their first raise .
Haven't you heard about all the pay cuts and benefit losses of YRC Teamsters ? http://www.tdu.org/node/2569

YRCW has already laid off or furloughed thousands of workers, while slashing pay and benefits for its union and nonunion employees. The Teamsters union agreed to pay cuts totaling 15 percent and an 18-month suspension of pension contributions. The company has about 50,000 employees.
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http://www.joc.com/node/413646
If you want to pay dues to get your throats cut go for it .
The nonunion Canadian carriers will appreciate the freight they get when Challenger closes its doors and they won't have to worry about their drivers being foolish enough to consider trying to bring a union in .
And why are Canadian auto haulers leaving the Teamsters and joining Canadian Auto Workers ?

300 Carhaulers Leave IBT, Join Autoworkers September 1, 2009: It's a sad day when Teamsters in a core industry desert our union for another., That is what happened today when nearly 300 Teamster carhaulers employed by Gen Auto in Ontario voted to join the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW).
The 145-47 vote came from carhaulers at three locations, most of them at the Oshawa General Motors plants.
Even worse, 700 Teamsters employed at Allied in Ontario are now petitioning for a similar vote to switch to the CAW.
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http://www.tdu.org/node/3311

liner · Nov 27, 2009

About 3 months ago one of the "higher ups" at Challenger asked me if I had heard anything about some drivers trying to organize, and at that time I had not.I was told that there were a few employees making noise about joining the Teamsters .We have a few "wing-nuts" around there and these were the ones talking union.

I never have and never will have any use for any union,Teamsters or otherwise,so they will never get dime one out of my pockets. I guess they are hard up to get anyone to sign a union card since there membership has been falling for years,but to try and organize an over the road longhaul company is just plain stupid and will never work.

How many union trucking companies are left in Canada today compared to back in the 70's and 80's.If the teamsters are so great why did all these union jobs disappear.Join a union and price yourself right out of a job.Look no further than all the unemployed auto workers..need I say more.

In my opinion the teamsters will never organize Challenger as long as Dan owns the place.

skinnytrucker · Nov 28, 2009

RickG said: ↑

You'd better look at what happened to DHL in the U.S. when they ratified a contract . The company closed down U.S. operations before the Teamster workers saw their first raise .
Haven't you heard about all the pay cuts and benefit losses of YRC Teamsters ? http://www.tdu.org/node/2569
http://www.joc.com/node/413646
If you want to pay dues to get your throats cut go for it .
The nonunion Canadian carriers will appreciate the freight they get when Challenger closes its doors and they won't have to worry about their drivers being foolish enough to consider trying to bring a union in .
And why are Canadian auto haulers leaving the Teamsters and joining Canadian Auto Workers ?
http://www.tdu.org/node/3311
Click to expand...

C'mon RickG is the best you can do is go to TDU's website to find anti-union speel that you always do. Just go here http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/report-a-bad-trucking-company-here/ and you will see why not only American truck drivers but also our neighbors to the north need a union also. I see you have been trkg. for 30 years. In that 30 yrs. have you ever been a Teamster? I truly doubt it because you don't have the testical fortitude to not only be a member but to stand up to your boss and tell him "No sir I will not drive illegally nor will I work for a cut-throat rate while I do this skilled proffesion. Please find out more about TDU before you post anymore of there garbage on here.

Canada Dry · Nov 30, 2009

How many union company's are left in Canada? Most have gone out of business, they could'nt afford to pay union wage's!

luvtheroad · Nov 30, 2009

What is the affiliation between Challenger and R&L Carriers? Is there one? R&L has kept the Teamsters at bay for many years.

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