In what is shaping up to be a public relations battle royal, FedEx today unveils a multimillion-dollar campaign aimed at rival UPS and at derailing Senate consideration of a law that would make it easier for the Teamsters to organize its drivers.

FedEx CEO Fred Smith’s arrogant campaign of threats and intimidation continued this week when his top spokesman threatened to take down members of Congress who oppose FedEx’s position on a key piece of legislation.

Teamsters Local 455 praised state lawmakers and Gov. Bill Ritter for supporting a bill to stop employers from improperly misclassifying workers as independent contractors, but urged Ritter to show support for other pro-worker legislation.

The FAA Reauthorization bill, and the Express Carrier legislation, has yet to be introduced in the U.S. Senate. This is where the Teamsters have focused their fight, and we must as well! Continue writing letters to your U.S. Senators, and encourage co-workers, family members and friends to do the same.

The House of Representatives passed a bill 277-136 that would make it easier for unions to organize FedEx workers, prompting FedEx to renew its threat to hold off buying billions of dollars of new planes if the bill becomes law.

The first issue of the TAMC (Teamsters Aviation Mechanics Coalition) Newsletter, Nuts and Bolts, is out and ready to read.

FedEx Corp. truck drivers, package handlers and other employees would be able to join unions more easily under legislation the U.S. House approved today.

The House of Representatives today passed the FAA Reauthorization bill, which includes the Express Carrier Employee Protection Act, by a vote of 277-136. The bill now goes to the U.S. Senate for consideration. This is the first of our hurdles in getting this important legislation passed. We must continue our hard work on this issue by focusing our attention on our U.S. Senators. Click here to read the Teamsters news release.

 

Teamsters International Vice President and Package Division Director Ken Hall met with Sen. Barbara Boxer of California on Wednesday, May 20th, to discuss the importance of the Express Carrier legislation, currently part of the FAA Reauthorization bill.
 

This Wednesday, May 20th, the House will vote on the passage of the FAA Reauthorization Bill. Included in this bill is the Express Carrier Employee Protection Amendment as well as legislation on outsourcing of aircraft maintenance. Please send an e-mail to your Representative today urging him/her to pass the FAA Reauthorization Bill and not allow the Express Carrier Employee Protection Amendment or the outsourcing legislation to be removed or weakened.