Drivers at Logistics Company Blast Company’s Mistreatment

Drivers at XPO Logistics in suburban Chicago who formed their union with Teamsters Local 179 “marched on the boss” yesterday, Nov. 30 to demand that the company start negotiating a contract.

“XPO is mistreating us by refusing to come to the table more than a year after we voted to organize as Teamsters, which is completely unacceptable,” said Jose Ramirez, a driver at XPO in Aurora. “First we had to deal with high-priced union busters during the campaign who repeatedly lied to us, now the company has delayed and delayed the start of negotiations.”

This past July, the National Labor Relations Board ordered XPO to stop refusing to recognize Teamsters Local 179 as the exclusive bargaining representative and to start bargaining with Local 179.

“XPO is mistreating us by refusing to come to the table more than a year after we voted to organize as Teamsters, which is completely unacceptable.”  -Jose Ramirez, XPO Aurora driver

The drivers presented management with a letter and signatures demanding that the company start bargaining right away.

“The drivers at XPO in Aurora stood strong and united during the campaign and they continue to remain strong, despite the company’s vicious anti-worker behavior toward them,” said Tom Flynn, President of Local 179 in Joliet. “We will continue to fight on behalf of the drivers to negotiate a strong contract that protects them and their families. The abuse of the workers must stop.”

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.