May 1, 2008: IBT carhaul director Fred Zuckerman is holding meetings at several carhaul local unions in April and May to ask members what they want in the contract.

In Detroit, Dayton, and Ft. Wayne, Zuckerman was trying to find out what concessions members may be willing to give.

Carhaul bargaining is scheduled to resume on May 18 near Washington, D.C. Zuckerman is telling Teamsters that little has happened so far.

However, as one carhaul steward told us, the proposed deal may already be in the works, and Zuckerman is in the field trying to figure out how to sell it.

At the Detroit Local 299 meeting there was a lot of talk about Article 48, equalization of traffic. Zuckerman said there that he is “willing to be an SOB” and give the companies operational concessions.

Many drivers may be willing to give some too, but not concessions that will undermine the agreement or turn drivers and locals against one another. Concessions that help the carriers make money are one thing, but concessions that undermine our union are another.

Zuckerman promises that the other carriers will not get Allied’s wage cut. He also said he was open to considering a two-year contract; that would bring all carriers back together after the Allied wage concession deal expires, and not lock us into a long-term problem.

When asked about the future of PTS, Zuckerman appeared to have no answer or plan. The IBT’s plan was for Ron Burkle to acquire PTS, merge it with Allied, and impose the 17.5 percent wage cut. That outcome appears unlikely now, and the IBT appears to have no plan to save the jobs and contract at PTS.

At the Detroit meeting, Zuckerman stated that PTS may be out of money by the end of the month. PTS drivers have been hearing that same thing from the union every month for some time now, so they don’t know if it is truth or fiction.

Carhaul Teamsters need to go to the meetings and make your voice heard. Get the facts.
Be prepared to support our union in the battle for a good contract, and be prepared to vote No to send them back to the table if necessary.