Post by HardTimeTrucker on May 22, 2009 14:45:15 GMT -5
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House OKs Bill Easing FedEx Unionization
FedEx to take fight against labor change to Senate
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill yesterday, including a provision making it easier for the Teamsters union to organize FedEx.
FedEx said the provision amounts to a “legislative bailout” for competitor UPS and is vowing to fight the move in the Senate.
The provision, which was included in the 2007 FAA reauthorization but later removed, would shift FedEx’s labor status away from the Railway Labor Act and place them under the National Labor Relations Act. Express workers must be organized under a national union drive under the RLA, whereas the NLRA permits unions to organize one terminal at a time. If enacted, the change could significantly increase labor costs for the express carrier.
A FedEx spokesman said the amendment is targeted at hurting FedEx Express and its airline-based delivery network, but that customers relying on next-day delivery of medicines, replacement parts, and other critical shipments would pay the price.
“(UPS) lobbyists inserted the bailout language to threaten FedEx Express’ ability to provide competitively priced shipping options and ready access to global markets,” said FedEx spokesman Maury Lane. If it becomes law, it “would diminish competition for profit-laden UPS.”
The Teamsters maintain the legislation closes an unfair loophole.
“Because of this unfair advantage, FedEx Express workers have been deprived their right to form unions like workers at other package delivery companies,” said Teamsters President James P. Hoffa.
Contact John Gallagher at jgallagher@joc.com.
House OKs Bill Easing FedEx Unionization
FedEx to take fight against labor change to Senate
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill yesterday, including a provision making it easier for the Teamsters union to organize FedEx.
FedEx said the provision amounts to a “legislative bailout” for competitor UPS and is vowing to fight the move in the Senate.
The provision, which was included in the 2007 FAA reauthorization but later removed, would shift FedEx’s labor status away from the Railway Labor Act and place them under the National Labor Relations Act. Express workers must be organized under a national union drive under the RLA, whereas the NLRA permits unions to organize one terminal at a time. If enacted, the change could significantly increase labor costs for the express carrier.
A FedEx spokesman said the amendment is targeted at hurting FedEx Express and its airline-based delivery network, but that customers relying on next-day delivery of medicines, replacement parts, and other critical shipments would pay the price.
“(UPS) lobbyists inserted the bailout language to threaten FedEx Express’ ability to provide competitively priced shipping options and ready access to global markets,” said FedEx spokesman Maury Lane. If it becomes law, it “would diminish competition for profit-laden UPS.”
The Teamsters maintain the legislation closes an unfair loophole.
“Because of this unfair advantage, FedEx Express workers have been deprived their right to form unions like workers at other package delivery companies,” said Teamsters President James P. Hoffa.
Contact John Gallagher at jgallagher@joc.com.