April 25, 2008  

(Washington, D.C.) —An overwhelming majority of about 150 workers at UPS Freight (formerly Overnite Transportation) terminals in Oregon have signed authorization cards to become Teamsters, bringing the total number of drivers and dockworkers who have signed cards to 10,550 since January 16, Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa announced.

The workers will be joining Local 81 in Portland which covers terminals in Portland and South Portland; Local 962 in Central Point which covers the terminal in Medford, and; Local 206 in Portland which covers the terminal in Eugene.

“This has been the largest organizing victory in the freight industry in 25 years, and it keeps gaining momentum,” said Teamsters Package Division Director Ken Hall. “UPS Freight workers in 37 states have signed cards to become Teamsters.”

“We all look forward to representing these UPS Freight workers and giving them strong futures,” said Tom Strickland, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 81. “These workers really remained strong in their commitment to join the Teamsters and it has opened the door to a promising future.”

“The workers are excited to join the Teamsters Union to get the recognition they deserve for the hard work they do,” said Dan W. Ratty, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 962. “They deserve better wages and better working conditions and a secure future.”

Earlier this month, more than 89 percent of UPS Freight workers who are already Teamster members ratified a new contract, which improves wages, benefits and working conditions.

A majority of UPS Freight workers in 37 states have submitted cards: Alabama, Arizona,

Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky,

Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Victories have come in numerous large cities, including Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Memphis, Minneapolis, Nashville, Oakland, Orlando, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Raleigh, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Jose, St. Louis and Washington, D.C.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.