Press Releases
TForce Freight Workers in Georgia Join Teamsters
Citing New National Contract as Catalyst, Savannah Drivers Choose Representation with Teamsters Local 728
Press Contact: Daniel Moskowitz Phone: (770) 262-4971 Email: dmoskowitz@teamster.org
(SAVANNAH, Ga.) – Workers at TForce Freight in Savannah, Ga., have unanimously decided to join Teamsters Local 728 in Atlanta. Prior to receiving card-check recognition, the 19 drivers were the last remaining group of unorganized drivers at the company.
“Workers in Georgia saw the benefits of working under our new industry-leading contract at TForce, and they wanted in. This victory is a direct result of the gains made this summer at the table, including new language guaranteeing card-check neutrality,” said John A. Murphy, Teamsters National Freight Director.
By becoming Teamsters, drivers in Savannah will join more than 7,800 local cartage drivers, road drivers, and clerical workers with TForce Freight at 126 local unions nationwide.
“For us, it’s always what’s best for each and every individual. We came together to become Teamsters because we knew that’s what was best for all of us,” said Tyrone Williams, an 18-year city driver with the company who helped lead the organizing effort. “It was easy to put the information in front of everyone and conclude that this was the direction we needed to go. It’s an awesome contract that we wanted to be covered by.”
The 19 workers will immediately be covered by the National Master Agreement between the Teamsters and TForce Freight. The newly negotiated contract boosts wages, improves benefits, and protects Teamster jobs, among other gains and improvements.
“There was a lot of enthusiasm and momentum thanks to the new master agreement, and it was extremely helpful to have our team on the ground to answer questions about the new contract and explain all the many benefits,” said Matt Higdon, Local 728 President. “This campaign was a joint effort between the International and Local 728. We are proud to welcome this energized and determined group of workers into the union.”
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.2 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and “like” us on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.