Push by Drivers to Unionize at XPO Spreads to New Jersey
The efforts of XPO Logistics less-than-truckload drivers to organize into unions have spread to Trenton, New Jersey, with 33 employees filing a petition with the National Labor Relations Board.
Workers have been attempting to unionize since XPO Logistics acquired Con-way Freight in 2015. The Teamsters have won six elections but lost others across the United States. XPO only recognizes the union at Miami, Philadelphia and North Haven, Connecticut. It has challenged the victories in Los Angeles, Laredo, Texas, and Aurora, Illinois. XPO has more than 400 LTL operating locations in North America, according to the company.
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“The freight workers in Trenton are united, strong and focused on forming their union with the Teamsters so that they can address the issues that are important to them — better and affordable health insurance, retirement security and a voice on the job,” said Ernie Soehl, director of the Teamsters National Freight Division and president of Teamsters Local 701.
“The XPO drivers in Trenton have worked hard to get to this point, and they are excited to be part of the workers’ nationwide campaign that is gaining momentum,” said Ron Lake, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 701.
UPS Inc., YRC Worldwide and ArcBest Corp. also have union labor in their LTL freight divisions.
In February more than 100 Teamsters and allies rallied outside a shipping conference in Long Beach, California, where Bradley Jacobs spoke, claiming that XPO engaged in an “abhorrent mistreatment of workers” in the United States and abroad.
The union believes XPO misclassifies drayage drivers as independent contractors, rather than employees, in order to keep them from unionizing.
XPO recently settled a dispute with the Teamsters before NLRB concerning drivers serving the Port of Savannah, Georgia, by posting a sign describing employee rights to unionize on the premises.
XPO ranks No. 3, UPS ranks No. 1, YRC No. 5 and ArcBest No. 12 on the Transport Topics Top 100 list of the largest U.S. and Canadian for-hire carriers.
XPO Logistics Drivers in Trenton Seek Teamster Representation https://t.co/e7qtwh37wl pic.twitter.com/GpKcGsjoZB — NYC Teamsters (@TeamstersJC16) March 16, 2017
