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Last updated October 30, 2008 11:42 p.m. PT
Strike at trucking company near 7th week and counting
By DAN RICHMAN
P-I REPORTER
A strike by hundreds of workers at Auburn-based Oak Harbor Freight Lines Inc. will enter its seventh week Tuesday with no resolution in sight, spokespeople for the company and the Teamsters union said.
"I like to be optimistic, but I don't see an end to this," said Al Hobart, vice president of the western region of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which represents all the striking workers through 12 locals.
"I don't think the company is serious about doing something. They're just trying to wear the union down, period."
Company spokesman Mike Hobby said, "It's really not up to us whether there's an end in sight," but he said the two sides are continuing to negotiate.
"The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service has been involved since June, and we're working toward another meeting Nov. 7," he said.
Troubles at the family-owned trucking business, which serves the five westernmost states, began Sept. 22, when 40 percent of the employees -- 578 drivers, dock workers, office workers and mechanics -- walked off the job. Since then, 177 have returned to work, Hobby said.
The striking workers staffed all 10 of the company's terminals in Washington state, its single terminal in Boise and the four unionized terminals in Oregon, where the company maintains a total of eight terminals. All those terminals are operating but are being picketed. Some nonunion company facilities also are being picketed, Hobart said.
The union struck over the company's alleged unfair labor practices. Hobart said those consisted of "intimidating and influencing" workers to accept the terms of a new contract to replace the one that expired in September 2007 but under which the company and its workers are still operating.
Contract issues in dispute include the possible termination of health care benefits to retired employees and the possible reduction or elimination of paid sick leave, Hobart said. Hobby described the central issue as whether the Teamsters are willing to join the company's health insurance plan.
Hobart said he expects rulings soon from the National Labor Relations Board on the alleged unfair labor practices. He said if the rulings favor the union, the company will have to rehire the striking workers, whom it has replaced with workers through Modern Staffing & Security Consultants Inc., of Sarasota, Fla.
The strike caused the company's revenue to drop to 40 percent of its usual level during its first week, Hobby said. That has since grown to 60 percent.
"Most companies under these conditions would be shut down by now," he said.
Oak Harbor Freight Lines is run by co-Presidents David and Edward Vander Pol, who took over from their father, Henry, himself one of three brothers who bought the company in 1936.
The company has annual revenue of more than $150 million, according to its Web site.
Strike at trucking company near 7th week and counting
By DAN RICHMAN
P-I REPORTER
A strike by hundreds of workers at Auburn-based Oak Harbor Freight Lines Inc. will enter its seventh week Tuesday with no resolution in sight, spokespeople for the company and the Teamsters union said.
"I like to be optimistic, but I don't see an end to this," said Al Hobart, vice president of the western region of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which represents all the striking workers through 12 locals.
"I don't think the company is serious about doing something. They're just trying to wear the union down, period."
Company spokesman Mike Hobby said, "It's really not up to us whether there's an end in sight," but he said the two sides are continuing to negotiate.
"The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service has been involved since June, and we're working toward another meeting Nov. 7," he said.
Troubles at the family-owned trucking business, which serves the five westernmost states, began Sept. 22, when 40 percent of the employees -- 578 drivers, dock workers, office workers and mechanics -- walked off the job. Since then, 177 have returned to work, Hobby said.
The striking workers staffed all 10 of the company's terminals in Washington state, its single terminal in Boise and the four unionized terminals in Oregon, where the company maintains a total of eight terminals. All those terminals are operating but are being picketed. Some nonunion company facilities also are being picketed, Hobart said.
The union struck over the company's alleged unfair labor practices. Hobart said those consisted of "intimidating and influencing" workers to accept the terms of a new contract to replace the one that expired in September 2007 but under which the company and its workers are still operating.
Contract issues in dispute include the possible termination of health care benefits to retired employees and the possible reduction or elimination of paid sick leave, Hobart said. Hobby described the central issue as whether the Teamsters are willing to join the company's health insurance plan.
Hobart said he expects rulings soon from the National Labor Relations Board on the alleged unfair labor practices. He said if the rulings favor the union, the company will have to rehire the striking workers, whom it has replaced with workers through Modern Staffing & Security Consultants Inc., of Sarasota, Fla.
The strike caused the company's revenue to drop to 40 percent of its usual level during its first week, Hobby said. That has since grown to 60 percent.
"Most companies under these conditions would be shut down by now," he said.
Oak Harbor Freight Lines is run by co-Presidents David and Edward Vander Pol, who took over from their father, Henry, himself one of three brothers who bought the company in 1936.
The company has annual revenue of more than $150 million, according to its Web site.
