WASHINGTON, May 3, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Teamster employees at YRC Freight, Holland and New Penn have voted to approve the national master`s part of YRCW`s new national social security agreement, which increases wages, reinstates a week off and protects benefits. Voting is done through the electoral system of BallotPoint`s electoral services. In the mailed package, members will find the agreement and a summary of the highlights, including questions and answers. But instead of a postal vote, members will find an individual passcode and simple instructions on how to use the passcode to vote over the phone or over the internet. The preliminary agreement contains significant economic and language improvements for membership, as well as creative tools for companies to increase their market share, expand into new areas and improve service, while protecting and improving jobs, seniority, working conditions and pay opportunities for membership (for more information, see the interior). The commission also rejected many efforts by companies to impose co-country health premiums and other givebacks. The interim agreement contains many improvements, including: „Negotiations have been very difficult and complex, but we firmly believe that we have negotiated an agreement that will protect the livelihoods of our members over the next five years,“ said Ernie Soehl, Director of the Teamsters National Frequentness Division. Every member of our negotiating committee believes that YRCW companies cannot afford more money than is included in this interim agreement and that there is not a single penny to be received. We have put the company at the absolute limit. Over the past decade, YRCW`s operating companies have made a series of declarations of intent (MOUs) that contained significant economic concessions necessary to enable the company to survive. At the beginning of the negotiations, the trade union committee noted not only the tendency to grant concessions, but also the need to move away from the structure of the agreement and return to a traditional NMFA contractual structure.

The members have not had a new contract for almost a decade. The interim agreement succeeds, restores the traditional contract structure and provides for significant economic and non-economic improvements for The Teamsters. This situation has not been easy, as YRCW companies are still facing financial difficulties, need to improve equipment and must try to regain market share. Soehl said the union committee had worked very hard and had dug into the smaller ones to maximize business, finances and maximizing protection and benefits for members. At the end of the day, each member of the negotiating committee supports and recommends this interim agreement. The national master part of the agreement, which has about 25,000 workers, has been ratified by a margin of 60 to 40 per cent. All contracts were also adopted, with the exception of one of the 27 regional complementary contracts (Joint Council 40). The national treaty will not enter into force until Joint Council 40 has been completed. The parties currently have an extension agreement. Employees should come forward to work as usual. Voting information is mailed to members on Or about April 19.

As always, the vote will take place by secret ballot, but this time MPs will vote on the Internet or over the phone. Contact:Galen Munroe, (202) 624-6904[email protected] „This contract should improve the livelihoods of our YRCW teamsters for the next five years,“ said Jim Hoffa, Teamters General President.