Press Releases
Teamsters: XPO Must Change Culture to Address Worker Mistreatment
(WASHINGTON) – Today, the Teamsters Union called on XPO Logistics, Inc. CEO Bradley Jacobs to formally acknowledge his company’s failure to address ongoing issues at its Memphis, Tenn. distribution center that include pregnancy discrimination, worker intimidation, and harassment.
On Oct. 21, The New York Times published a front page expose detailing the harrowing tales of miscarriages on the job after XPO refused to adjust the women’s work assignments. On Nov. 20, nine senators, led by U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), sent a letter to XPO expressing outrage over the rampant pregnancy discrimination within their supply-chain, and calling on the company to address the allegations made in the New York Times article.
In a letter dated Dec. 4, Jacobs responded to the senators with promises of an internal investigation by an independent expert and pledges of improvements. XPO, a $12 billion company that packages and distributes products for major retailers like Disney, Nike, Home Depot and Verizon, also promised in the letter that as of Jan. 1, 2019, it will implement a new pregnancy care policy.
“For the sake of the women that still work at XPO, I am hopeful that the company will adhere to its new pregnancy accommodation policy, but XPO’s track record doesn’t make be believe they will,” said Tasha Murrell, a former XPO Memphis worker who was featured in the New York Times article. “However, the miscarriages are just one of the many issues that need to be addressed at XPO to ensure workers are treated with the respect they deserve.”
Additionally, in a letter issued this week, 97 members of the U.S. House of Representatives led by Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), formally requested the House Committee on Education and the Workforce hold a hearing on the allegations of mistreatment of employees at XPO Logistics.
“Promises and pledges are all well and good, but we will reserve judgment until we see real change,” said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa. “What is most telling is that it took the combined pressure of national press coverage and Congressional inquiries for XPO to address the terrible working conditions these women and men endure. These brave women who have stepped forward to share their experiences have gone through hell and back working for XPO in Memphis, and we will hold Bradley Jacobs accountable for his promises for improved conditions at the company.”
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 “like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.