Unifor requested the vote after TST Overland and Canadian Freightways were merged into one entity, TST-CF Express.
Vancouver, July 24, 2020 – On Tuesday, the 358 truck drivers and dock workers at TST-CF Express in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the Yukon voted by over 84% to join the Western Canada Council of Teamsters (WCCT) over Unifor.
Unifor requested the vote after TST Overland and Canadian Freightways were merged into one entity, TST-CF Express. Canadian Freightways’s 287 unionized employees were Teamsters, while TST Overland’s 72 unionized employees were represented by Unifor.
By choosing the Teamsters, workers at TST-CF Express opted for a stronger contract. That means higher wages, more sick days and vacation time, a better pension plan and better overall working conditions.
For details on how the Teamster contract with Canadian Freightways stacked up with the old Unifor agreement with TST Overland, click here.
“I would like to express my sincere thanks to all members of the bargaining unit who took the time to cast their vote, whether for the Teamsters or Unifor,” said the president of the WCCT, Stan Hennessy. “We now must work together to secure a fair contract for all members.”
The Teamster contract is up for renegotiation this fall, giving drivers and dock workers at TST-CF Express an opportunity to address any new issues which have come up and to further improve their working conditions.
Workers at Canadian Freightways had been Teamsters for over 67 years. Union activists at the company have fought hard to protect and build-up the working conditions now enjoyed by those employed at TST-CF Express. “Let us all acknowledge their toil and honour their history by continuing to build upon their legacy as Teamsters,” added Hennessy.
Being a Teamster means having visible and approachable union representatives in the workplace. The union is a leader in defending members by taking on grievances, setting precedent, and negotiating industry-leading collective agreements in the transportation sector and beyond to ensure workers are always fairly treated.
“It’s been very inspiring to see local unions and passionate rank and file Teamsters from across Western Canada come together to protect working conditions at TST-CF Express. Now it is time to really roll up our sleeves as we work to renew the collective agreement and advance our members’ interests,” stated the national president of Teamsters Canada, François Laporte.
Teamsters represent close to 125,000 workers across Canada. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, with which Teamsters Canada is affiliated, has 1.4 million members in North America. Visit teamsters.ca for more information. Follow us on Twitter @TeamstersCanada and “like” us on Facebook at facebook.com/TeamstersCanada.
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Media requests:
Christopher Monette
Director of Public Affairs
Teamsters Canada
Cell. : 514-226-6002
[email protected]
