Laredo Overnite Workers Seek Union

Workers at the Overnite terminal in Laredo, Texas, filed an election petition for Teamster representation, the union said Aug. 12.

The Teamsters union said it has won elections and bargaining orders at 36 terminals, representing about 45% of Overnite’s 8,200 dock workers and drivers. The company says the number is much smaller.

Twenty-three Overnite terminals have been certified, two are awaiting certification and 11 have bargaining orders that Overnite is appealing, said Teamsters spokesman Dave Cameron.

The union began a campaign to organize Overnite’s employees in September 1994. While a number of Overnite workers have agreed to join the Teamsters, the union has yet to negotiate a contract with the company.

Hoffa has made the Overnite contract one of the focal points of his tenure as Teamsters chief.