Teamsters Authorize Strike Against Vehicle Haulers

The Teamsters union said late Wednesday members who work for trucking companies that haul vehicles voted to authorize a strike by a 97% margin.

Teamsters spokesman Rob Black told Bloomberg News the strike could begin as early as May 31 if a new deal cannot be reached. Talks to replace the four-year contract that expires at the end of the month started in March, he said.

The strike would include about 9,000 workers who drive for Allied Holdings Inc., as well as drivers at 14 other companies. Black said these companies deliver about 80% of the new cars sold by dealers.

In a statement on its Web site, the Teamsters accused these companies of demanding “givebacks in health care and rates while ignoring union proposals aimed at improving operating efficiencies, attracting new work and enhancing job security.”

Black also said companies are paying lower wages to new hires, according to Bloomberg.

Union members delivered an estimated 14 million vehicles to dealers in 2002, Bloomberg said.

In March, Allied Holdings Inc. said its Canadian subsidiary, Allied Systems Co., successfully reached an agreement with its employees represented by the Teamsters union in eastern Canada. (Click here for the full story.)

Allied Holdings is ranked No. 23 on the 2002 Transport Topics 100 list of the largest U.S. and Canadian trucking companies.