Swift fires more drivers in union dispute

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/ci_13456987

By Gene Maddaus Staff Writer
Posted: 09/30/2009 06:27:26 PM PDT

Swift Transportation, one of the largest buyers of new trucks under the Clean Trucks Program, has been accused of firing two more truck drivers for union activity.

The company, which had already been charged with firing four union supporters in February, also recently dropped its hourly wage guarantee for employee drivers.


(The Associated Press)


Taken together, the latest developments further dim the chances that the Port of Los Angeles program will achieve one of its stated goals: increasing wages and living standards for port truck drivers.

Swift was among the first major trucking companies to announce last year that it would comply with the port's Clean Trucks Program. The program called for a phase-out of non-employee drivers at the port by 2013.

The company pledged to buy 600 new clean trucks, and hired employee drivers to operate them. Unlike most other port drivers - who are classified as owner-operators - the Swift drivers were guaranteed an hourly wage of $18.

As Swift employees, the drivers had the legal ability to organize and seek collective bargaining, which their independent contractor counterparts did not. As expected, many of the drivers quickly became involved with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

FULL story at link.

[greennina]

1. That company needs to be put out of business

Any way we can hurt them for their crimes?