Court Again Dismisses ABF’s Suit Against YRC, Teamsters

An Arkansas district court judge has dismissed, for the second time, a suit filed by Arkansas Best Corp. against fellow less-than-truckload carrier YRC Worldwide and the Teamsters union.

Arkansas Best, whose primary trucking unit is LTL carrier ABF Freight System, filed suit in November 2010, charging that YRC’s agreement with the Teamsters for a 15% wage cut violated the National Master Freight Agreement covering both LTL companies and the union.

Wednesday’s ruling was made by Judge Susan Webber Wright of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas, who had similarly dismissed ABF’s suit in December 2010.

Arkansas Best then appealed Wright’s ruling, and a federal appeals court last year ruled that ABF had legal standing to sue, before sending the case back to the district court.

Arkansas Best said in a statement that it “disagrees with, and is disappointed by, [the] ruling” and that it is evaluating its options, including a second appeal to the Eighth Circuit or refiling the case in district court.

YRC said in a statement it was “satisfied with the decision and believes the court ruled correctly and in accordance with the language of the collective bargaining agreement.”

Teamsters spokesman Galen Munroe told Transport Topics Thursday that the union was “reviewing the decision,” while declining further comment.

YRC is ranked No. 4 and Arkansas Best No. 13 on the Transport Topics 100 listing of U.S. and Canadian for-hire carriers.