Let me preface this by saying that I am a Fedex worker, have been for 20 years and have worked in a union environment before so none of this is new to me. I wonder why it is though that you are openly challenging fedex to a debate when on your ask away forum you do not post comments to either acknowledge or refute the claims you make there. To me it shows total disdain for the fedex workers that you claim to care so deeply about, in order to get a contract that will give them (us) the respect and dignity that we supposedly are so sorely lacking. Posting stupid posts like " I worked for fedex for years and quit and went to purolator where I make more money and am happier" only serves to illustrate that you think we are collectively a bunch of buffoons. How are we to know that the person posting if there indeed is such a person used to work at fedex and that he is making lots more money etc etc. IN addition, town hall meetings have been a part of the fedex landscape for as long as i have been here. Nothing new there and certainly doesn't raise any red flags about the company trying to dissuade me from joining. Tuition refunds are back and maybe just maybe it has more to do with the improving economy than the presence of a teamsters organizing drive.. I personally have talked to a number of your teamsters "brothers" from ups and purolator and to a man they are advising NOT to vote for the teamsters. I witnessed with my own eyes a purolator driver flip one of your organizers the bird as he passed him on one sunny day when he was standing in the driveway at fedex while all the fedex employees drove by without even slowing down. LEts see you post that on your ask away forum. If what you are offering is such a good deal then why is it that they aren't wholeheartedly endorsing your bid to have us join. In fact I don't see ANY ups or purolator company drivers on any of your videos endorsing the teamsters. Sure you can find a ups truck driver who hauls ups freight (formerly emery I believe) but I have yet to see a big brown uniform on your videos endorsing the teamsters. Maybe just maybe instead of trying to get your greedy fingers into the pockets of the 250,000 fedex workers that you are trying to convince to have you represent them, you should focus your efforts into making sure the "brothers" you currently represent are happy to have you represent them and leave us the hell alone. I don't expect that you will post this as it doesn't support your argument that all of us fedex workers are totally disgusted with our lot in life and just waiting for the teamsters saviours to save us from big bad fedex.
Teamsters Canada Response:
Wow!!! That’s a long and well crafted statement.
I will try to answer your questions point by point.
Statement #1-I wonder why it is though that you are openly challenging fedex to a debate when on your ask away forum you do not post comments to either acknowledge or refute the claims you make there.
Teamsters Canada Answer: I have done my best to acknowledge and answer positive and negative posts. Remember, questions asked are not “claims” as you state.
Statement #2- Posting stupid posts like " I worked for fedex for years and quit and went to purolator where I make more money and am happier" only serves to illustrate that you think we are collectively a bunch of buffoons. How are we to know that the person posting if there indeed is such a person used to work at fedex and that he is making lots more money etc etc
Teamsters Canada Answer: Firstly, your reference to “stupid posts” is ludicrous as we do not control nor influence those who wish to post on our “Ask Away” forum. As Teamsters we believe in freedom of expression without censorship. Furthermore, how do I know who you are? Are you really a 20 year fedex worker?…..sorry I mean 20 year FedEx worker?
Statement #3- town hall meetings have been a part of the fedex landscape for as long as i have been here. Nothing new there and certainly doesn't raise any red flags about the company trying to dissuade me from joining.
Teamsters Canada Answer: This statement is true that at some stations there are regular meetings. However, there are many stations that only had meetings after the organizing drive commenced.
Statement #4- Tuition refunds are back and maybe just maybe it has more to do with the improving economy than the presence of a teamsters organizing drive.
Teamsters Canada Answer: Yes it is true that tuition refunds are back but the Teamsters haven’t taken too much credit for that because it's only a very small percentage of the FedEx workers who use it making it a very small monetary item on the big picture. Awarding proper wage increases and returning the pension money that was taken away would be far more meaningful on a monetary basis.
Statement #5- I personally have talked to a number of your teamsters "brothers" from ups and purolator and to a man they are advising NOT to vote for the teamsters.
Teamsters Canada Answer: First off we have “brothers and sisters” at UPS and Purolator and I can tell you that the vast majority are supporting the FedEx workers. All workers know that when FedEx is organized it will help all workers in the package and parcel industry obtain better standards in their collective agreements.
Statement #6- I witnessed with my own eyes a purolator driver flip one of your organizers the bird as he passed him on one sunny day when he was standing in the driveway at fedex while all the fedex employees drove by without even slowing down.
Teamsters Canada Answer: I can’t comment on the “bird” thing as I was not there but I must add that no organizer has reported such an occurrence. In reference to your comment that FedEx drivers are not slowing down is true as it is very intimidating to acknowledge a unions presence right under the nose of management. I can tell you that when I have talked to the FedEx drivers on the road I have had no problem engaging in meaningful dialogue and the workers taking literature from me.
Statement #7- I don't see ANY ups or purolator company drivers on any of your videos endorsing the teamsters .
Teamsters Canada Answer: Not true, if you look in the video archive section of the website you will see videos of UPS and Purolator workers in both English and French encouraging the FedEx workers.
Statement #8- Maybe just maybe instead of trying to get your greedy fingers into the pockets of the 250,000 fedex workers that you are trying to convince to have you represent them
Teamsters Canada Answer: Maybe it’s FedEx getting its greedy fingers into your pockets? Remember the Teamsters Union is a non-profit organization that is run by the members. FedEx is a company that is run to make as big a profit as possible. It was FedEx and not the Teamsters that reduced the pension, reduced the wage increases, took away jump seat privileges, took away the Win Win program, took away Dim Weight bonuses, took away unlimited sick time, increased worker deductions for benefits and pension, converted Full-Time jobs to part-time and casual positions, and so on, and so on.
Statement #9- I don't expect that you will post this.
Teamsters Canada Answer: I just did.