Teamsters Withdraw from FedEx Election in Mass., Company Says

The Teamsters union has voluntarily canceled an organizing election scheduled for Friday at the FedEx Home Delivery facility in Worcester, Mass., the company said.

The withdrawal “signals a defeat for the union, which was seeking to organize FedEx owner operators in Worcester,” FedEx Corp. said in a statement.

“These 18 independent contractors sent a clear message to the union that they want to remain just that — independent,” said Paul Callahan, FedEx Ground’s senior vice president of contractor relations.

“As small business owners, they want to make business decisions for themselves, without third-party interference. At FedEx Home Delivery, we believe contractors have the right to make their own decisions and we will continue to defend their right to do so.”

February’s election was originally scheduled to take place in 2006, but the Teamsters delayed previously, the company said. This is the Teamsters’ fourth failed attempt to organize contractors in Worcester, FedEx said.

FedEx Corp. is ranked No. 2 on the Transport Topics 100 listing of U.S. and Canadian for-hire carriers.