Teamsters authorize strike

WASHINGTON (Feb. 3, 2003) — Organized drivers and cargo handlers at major less-than-truckload carriers in the United States today authorized a strike by a vote of more than nine-to-one in the event that one is needed to win a new labour contract, the Teamsters union said.

Bargaining between the union workers and a trade group representing the trucking companies is scheduled to resume in Chicago this week. Talks broke down Jan. 20 in a dispute over wages and health care costs. The groups are negotiating a new National Master Freight Agreement; the current contract is due to expire on March 31.

On Monday, the Teamsters said more than 95 per cent of members had voted for a strike authorization at more than 200 local meetings during the last 10 days.

“This strike vote shows that our freight members are solidly behind our negotiators,” Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa said in a news release.