In response to the Compensation Package and that if Teamsters has negotiated a contract for us, that FedEx couldn't take anything away, well then explain the CAW (Canadian Auto Workers Association) lost their members a great deal off of their pay cheques when they had a "Legally Binding Contract"?? I am not an expert on Union's but I would hazard a guess that the CAW are a stronger union than yourself's. Sure if you guys want to sell the fact FedEx can take away compensation at anytime, you fail to mention that with Teamster's representing us, we could have this legally binding contract renegotiated and lose just as much and possibly more with you representing us. At the end of the day let's face it, you can take anything FedEx puts out there and twist it to be something negative, which you will fight to champion our cause, while lining your pockets with our hard earned money! Quick note on David Binks not taking you up on a debate, it is you who is trying to sell your product to employee's of FedEx, he need not engage you in a debate as if the employee's like your pitch I am sure they can throw you $5 and sign up, but obviously that is not happening since we are well past the six months your Union cards are valid for and you have yet to penetrate too many stations!! Thank god for the nice weather as now you can get out of your car's(We felt bad seeing you sitting there doing nothing each day) and get more aggressive as opposed to sitting in a car every morning trying to figure out the next angle to take with FedEx to get their employee's to sign!!!!
Teamsters Canada Response:
Let me try and answer your comments/questions point by point....
Question # 1- In response to the Compensation Package and that if Teamsters has negotiated a contract for us, that FedEx couldn't take anything away, well then explain the CAW (Canadian Auto Workers Association) lost their members a great deal off of their pay cheques when they had a "Legally Binding Contract"??
Answer to # 1- The Teamsters are not the CAW. However, I can tell you are off base with your comment/question. The CAW was dealing with a bankruptcy situation and had to establish a new hire rate and pay scale for new hires. All I can tell you is the CAW membership votes on their contract, and if it was a bad deal the membership could have rejected it. As it stands a FedEx worker has no say and no vote in the” brochure/compensation package” that is given to you.
Question # 2- I am not an expert on Union's but I would hazard a guess that the CAW are a stronger union than yourself's.
Answer to # 2- The CAW has approx. 200,000 members. The Teamsters have 1.4 million members and are by far the bigger and stronger union. The Teamsters is a International Union which is better able to deal with an international company like FedEx.
Question # 3- Sure if you guys want to sell the fact FedEx can take away compensation at anytime, you fail to mention that with Teamster's representing us, we could have this legally binding contract renegotiated and lose just as much and possibly more with you representing us.
Answer to # 3- Not true, why would you and your co-workers vote to approve a contract that has less then what you have? The answer is simple....you won’t, and the company knows that. That’s why traditionally companies don’t like Unions because it gives the workers the power to approve or reject a contract by secret ballot. This power is the reason that workers in a unionized workforce make an average of 30% more than their non-union counterparts’.
Question # 4- At the end of the day let's face it, you can take anything FedEx puts out there and twist it to be something negative, which you will fight to champion our cause, while lining your pockets with our hard earned money!
Answer to # 4- I am telling you 100% the truth based on my experience as a former Purolator employee, Teamsters Business Agent, and Teamsters Canada Representative. And your comment about us lining our pockets is kind of funny as the Teamsters are a non-profit organization…..that’s why union dues are Tax Deductible.
Question # 5- Quick note on David Binks not taking you up on a debate, it is you who is trying to sell your product to employee's of FedEx, he need not engage you in a debate as if the employee's like your pitch I am sure they can throw you $5 and sign up, but obviously that is not happening since we are well past the six months your Union cards are valid for and you have yet to penetrate too many stations!!
Answer to # 5- I’m surprised David Binks doesn’t want to debate us as it was David Binks that said FedEx would prefer not to have a union. What’s the harm in a debate? Debates have proved very effective in helping people choose who they want representing them whether it be school trustees, councilors, Provincial/Federal politicians, and Union Leaders. In closing, the Teamsters are at many stations across the country because the workers have asked us to be there, and the campaign is going as anticipated. National drives can take a long time.
Question # 6- Thank god for the nice weather as now you can get out of your car's(We felt bad seeing you sitting there doing nothing each day) and get more aggressive as opposed to sitting in a car every morning trying to figure out the next angle to take with FedEx to get their employee's to sign!!!!
Answer to # 6- I personally have spent most of the campaign in B.C. but have been to Winnipeg, Regina, Saskatoon, Calgary, and Toronto and have yet to see any organizer spend significant time in a car except when waiting for the FedEx workers to leave their place of work.
Thanks for your questions/comments.