Teamsters Call on PTS to Return to Multiemployer Talks

www.teamster.org

May 31, 2008

Teamster carhaul local unions will be holding strike votes this weekend after Performance Transportation Services, Inc. (PTS) filed 1113-E relief in bankruptcy court and requested 15 percent wage concessions.

PTS’ filing followed the company’s decision May 29 to withdraw from multiemployer contract talks that have been under way.

“PTS management’s actions during the late stages of talks are completely unacceptable and we are pursuing options in federal court to compel PTS to return to the multiemployer negotiations immediately,” said Fred Zuckerman, Teamsters Carhaul Division Director and lead negotiator. “We simply cannot allow PTS to walk away from negotiations at the 11th Hour — PTS is acting in bad faith by walking away now after several months of negotiations.”

Because of PTS’ abrupt 1113-E filing, the Teamsters National Automobile Transporters Industry Negotiating Committee (TNATINC) is asking carhaul local unions to hold strike-authorization votes this weekend. Local union leaders agreed to hold the votes during a conference call today.

“We do not wish to strike PTS,” Zuckerman said. “Given the state of the auto industry, PTS’ irresponsible actions could jeopardize an already weakened industry. However, we must do whatever it takes to protect our members’ interests and that includes a strike, if necessary.”

The union has assembled a team of experts — legal, financial and others — to protect the interests of PTS members while continuing national contract talks.

The current national agreement is set to expire at 12:01 a.m. Sunday, June 1.

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This entry was posted on Saturday, May 31st, 2008 at 1:51 pm and is filed under Carhaul News, Contract. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.