The harbor trucking industry is clashing with the Teamsters union over a bill before the Washington state legislature that would classify owner-operators as employees rather than as independent contractors.
The bill is similar to legislation introduced last year in California. That bill was placed in the “inactive file” last summer when it failed to progress, but since California legislation can continue on for two years, it could be resurrected at any time this year.
Generally, the drayage truck driver classification issue is part of the Teamsters’ strategy to organize drivers at ports across the country. Unions can not organize independent contractors, but if truck drivers are classified as employees of harbor trucking companies, the Teamsters could legally organize the drivers.
The Washington Trucking Association, which opposes classifying drayage truck drivers as employees, told a legislative committee Tuesday in Olympia, Wash., that the bill would violate federal preemption law.Read more here.
Posted: January 24, 2012
Source: Teamster Nation
Teamsters and other unions in Indiana are putting the call out to occupy protestors everywhere to occupy the Indiana Statehouse. Those who can make it are encouraged to be in Indianapolis by 2:30 p.m. central time.
Sign the Petition
Stand with working families in Indiana and let your voice be heard! Sign this petition to let Indiana’s Democrats know you support them and their efforts to stop right-to-work legislation in the Hoosier state.
Sign the petition here.
Send an e-mail or make a phone call
Reach out to political leaders in Indiana who are standing up for the rights of working families! Click here for more information.
Report Violations Here
Ready-Mix and Construction Industry members—report any violations of Prevailing Wage and Area Standards issues. Upload photos, small videos, or other documents supporting your report. We will contact the variousEmployers and explain the repercussions of using these non-signatory (Rat) trucks. Banners, leaflets or possibly Picket Action may ensue to protect
Prevailing Wage or our Area Standards.
Information supplied to us will be kept in the strictest confidence and your
identity will not be released to anyone.
Secretary-Treasurer
Rick Hicks
What has happened to the American Dream? Poll after poll shows Americans not just pessimistic that things will get better, but skeptical that things won't get worse. The cost of healthcare has sky-rocketed, while paychecks have shrunk. The price of food, utilities, and other essential needs has risen, while the value of our homes, IRAs, 401ks, and bank accounts have plummeted. Young people don't believe their living standards will meet, let alone exceed, those of their parents.
Even more tragically, the social covenant that made the American Dream such a shining beacon to the rest of the world is being undone by corporate-owned politicians hell-bent on dismantling FDR's 'New Deal.' The New Deal brought hope and strength to a depressed country by establishing a shared principle that no one inside our borders has to go it alone; we go forward as a common people, we strive for greatness as a UNITED states. We became a nation that not only rewarded individual excellence, but protected the right of workers to form unions and collectively bargain.
Republicans bitterly opposed the New Deal as an enemy of business back then and not much has changed; today's corporate pawns still want to destroy the New Deal and gut unions.
Read more here
We are the second largest of the 11 Local Unions in Teamsters Joint Council 28. We have five Master Agreements -- involving our members at United Parcel Service, UPS Freight, National Master Carhaul, DHL and those working for companies under the National Master Freight Agreement. Most products bought or sold anywhere in the Seattle area are transported via a truck driven by a Local 174 member.
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