A month after being reclassified as employees and electing to join Teamsters pursuant to neutral unionization process… Port truck drivers from major drayage firm serving twin ports of LA/ Long Beach reach collective bargaining agreement with employer, vote YES on first union contract Ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach, CA – After only three (3) days of bargaining, port truck drivers employed by Shippers Transport Express (STE) – who were reclassified as “employees” on January 1, 2015, and subsequently voted to designate Teamsters Local 848 as their exclusive bargaining representative pursuant to a neutral unionization process – reached an agreement with STE management on a new collective bargaining agreement. On Sunday, February 8, 2015, STE drivers overwhelmingly voted to ratify their first union contract. The landmark one-year contract covers all full and part time drivers employed by STE. The union contract includes the following key gains:
  • Hourly wage rates of $21, increased from $18 per hour (+17 percent raise), and made retroactive to January 9, 2015 (the date the drivers voted to become Teamsters).
  • Overtime after 40 hours per week, at the hourly rate of $30.50 per hour.
  • Full medical insurance, including vision and dental, covering individuals and their families – 100% of premiums paid by the employer.
  • Retirement security – defined benefit pension plan.
  • Paid leave: 8 paid holidays and 4 paid sick days.
  • Through a grievance procedure or conflict resolution process, drivers have a voice at work.
  • Employer needs “just cause” to discipline or terminate drivers; drivers are no longer employed “at will.”
  “Shippers drivers have a solid new Teamster contract because we stuck together,” said Alfonso Quezada, who was one of three Shippers drivers elected to serve on the contract bargaining committee.  “Now I can take my kids to the doctor without worrying how I’m going to pay for it.” “All port drivers deserve what we have earned – respect and a fair day’s pay for a hard day’s work,” said Shippers driver Mike Acosta. “We are going to keep fighting to make sure that happens.” “With this union contract, we can move forward and make Shippers the most productive trucking company hauling out of the harbor,” said Shippers driver Leonardo Mejia. “Teamsters Local 848 is proud to represent Shippers drivers and looks forward to a productive relationship with the company in the years to come,” said Eric Tate, Secretary-Treasurer of Long Beach-based Teamsters Local 848, which also represents drayage drivers employed by the Toll Group (the Toll drivers’ union contract also expires on Dec. 31, 2015). “The drivers’ strong voice at the bargaining table through their elected driver-leaders, and their solidarity as a unit, allowed for a rapid conclusion to contract negotiations – and a precedent-setting union contract.”    “With so much uncertainty at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, we are grateful to have a solid contract – and certain labor peace – in place,” said Kevin Baddeley, General Manager, Shippers Transport Express. “We believe this contract helps pave the way for the future direction of the drayage industry.  And Shippers is hiring, so spread the word.  Prior to January 1, 2015, Shippers drivers were classified as “independent contractors.” In November 2015, all drivers were notified that the company was transitioning to an employee-based business model as of January 1, 2015, and were invited to apply for employee jobs. 88 out of 111 employee drivers signed union authorization cards (79 percent), which were validated by Father Wil Connor, Pastor Emeritus, St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Long Beach, on January 9, 2015. Shippers drivers subsequently elected three co-workers to serve on the bargaining committee – Mike Acosta, Leonardo Mejia, and Alfonso Quezada. The drivers and Shippers management reached a tentative agreement on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015, and at a ratification meeting held at Teamsters Local 848 on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015, Shippers drivers overwhelmingly voted to approve the agreement. The contract is effective from Jan. 9, 2015, to Dec. 31, 2015.