Here goes again, I will try to explain, again.
Back at contract time, ABF withdrew from TMI who is the association of company managers that negotiate on behalf of the companies. ABF intended to do whatever, but their trump card was shown in the months before, in Q reports, and meetings and reports from now defunct financial management companies.
While TMI (YRC)and TNFINC (IBT)were at the table hammering out a contract, freight division executives were keeping an eye and ear on what ABF was spoon feeding their contract employees.
ABF goes to the table, and were reminded that since they were previously negotiating directly with employees, instead of their representatives (IBT) they are treated to a me-too contract.
The contract goes for a vote and ratified, now time for the white paper contracts to their turn. 710 dock and yard contract turned down the first vote, ratified on the second. 705 is the sole hold out for the whole country. Demands included a pay increase superior to the NMFA, and some other stuff, which the companies would never agree to subject to the NMFA maintenance of standards article, which means if they get it, the whole rest of the country gets it. After a year or so of hold outs, the IBT sent in negotiators to see to it the problems get settled, and protect the jobs of every other nationwide freight employee involved indirectly. This explains white paper Chicago problem number one.
YRC comes to the IBT hat in hand, asking for a 10% concession. The IBT hammers out a deal, putting some 15% of the stock in escrow that would benefit employees should they fail. (I really do not know all the details of that and will not expand on the matter). The membership votes and approves the concessions. YRC is told this is it, there aint no more to give back.
Here they come again, looking for another 5%. More negotiations are put into play and they agree to what ever it is they agreed to. The membership votes again. Chicago is the big holdout. YRC threatens to close operations, with leaving Chicago with only end of the line terminal there.
Membership meeting at 710, Pat says he will stand behind his members, and he has to date, offers YRC guys a chance to voice their concerns, and hear the truth about what is going on in a special meeting for their guys, the next Sunday. My understanding is that there was a very small number of YRC guys there. The letter recommending the members vote in favor goes out. The YRC members again vote no. That is their right under the Constitution. Now there are several thousand jobs in Chicago on the chopping block, because the company will do their breakbulk and other operations out of the area, the road drivers can follow their work, the yard and dock guys cannot.
White paper problem number two and three.
The IBT convenes a meeting of the General Executive Committee, and decides that for the common good of everyone involved, takes action to secure these jobs. Did Pat vote in favor? Ask him before you blame him for any wrong doing. I suspect that what I know of Pat is that he stood up for his membership, and probably locked horns with most if not all on the Committee, including the General President.
What did ABF employees have to do with this? Nothing. It is my understanding that the decision to combine is done by local union, and not by company.
Will ABF ask to negotiate separately, for thier own contract again? I do not know. I suspect that with the latest goings on with the publication of what W. Kemp supposedly said, and the denial of the IBT, and the subsequent postings on the job site, could have again strained relations with the parties. I personally have mixed feelings on this separating from the NMFA and in the coming months will form an opinion. But for now, do my best to do what my people ask and vigorously enforce the agreement at hand.
As for the comment posted on the other thread, I am just getting sick of people coming onto an ABF thread, pleading their cases here, getting our guys ticked. We go to the YRC thread to find out what is going on there, and as I said, we are concerned, and we do care. Just no reason to come here and post assumptions that are just that, and get our guys upset, over something we have no control.
As a aside, being a steward for over five years now, I have complete confidence in our 710 Executive Committee. These guys walk the walk. They do what they say they are going to do, they stand up for their members, and have not let me down ever. They address difficult issues at the microphone at the meetings, and to date have not shut the mic off on anyone, no matter how heated the discussion gets. That shows me integrity and credibility. I challenge anyone to say that they have had the mic shut off on them in the last ten years. Because it hasn't.
The truth is the truth, and to some hurts at times. But as labor attorney Clarence Darrow said years ago. "The truth will set you free, even though you cannot touch its' coat tails".
If you need more, have your steward in Chicago get me your phone number and I will call you.