For those of us ABF Teamsters that were around in 2010 know full well how the company will cry poor and the IBT will lie to us in a heartbeat but to all those who weren't around... here's just a little example of their outright lies...
ABF, Teamsters may—or may not—be in concession talks
November 23, 2009 - ABF Freight System says it's been discussing wage cuts with the Teamsters. The union says otherwise.
To hear less-than-truckload carrier ABF Freight System tell it, the carrier and the Teamsters union are discussing a proposal aimed at wringing wage concessions and pension payment deferrals out of ABF's unionized employees.
To hear the Teamsters tell it, nothing of the sort is taking place.
The disagreement took root on Nov. 17 at the annual TransComp Exhibition and Intermodal Expo in Anaheim, Calif., when ABF Chief Operating Officer Wesley Kemp reportedly said the company was in concession talks with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT). ABF was seeking wage cuts totaling 15 percent through the four remaining years of its collective-bargaining agreement with the union as well as an 18-month deferral of pension payments, he said.
The next day, the Teamsters issued a statement saying the union is holding no talks or discussions with ABF. National Freight Director Tyson Johnson said in the statement that the union is "not having contract or concession discussions" with ABF, and that he has contacted ABF to "demand that they correct the record."
http://www.dcvelocity.com/articles/20091201_abf_teamsters_concession_talks/
ABF Concession Negotiations?
December 7, 2009: VP Kemp said they’re happening. Tyson Johnson denied it. Who do we believe?
http://www.tdu.org/news_abf-concession-negotiations
ABF Concessions: What Protections for Teamsters?
March 19, 2010: The International Union held a conference call on March 18 to inform ABF members that a vote on concessions is likely coming down the pike.
Freight Director Tyson Johnson said he has held some 25 conversations with ABF in the past year about their situation, and that concessions are needed to help the company stay healthy.
Surveys of members are out to ABF Teamsters, and by March 22 the International will start compiling the results. One local officer called the whole thing a dog and pony show because the survey does not provide information on what the company is asking for, or real specifics on proposals.
http://www.tdu.org/news_abf-concessions-what-protections-teamsters
ABF Teamsters to Vote on 15% Cut
April 20, 2010: As expected, the International Union is recommending that ABF Teamsters ratify a 15 percent wage cut. No changes in Teamster benefits are part of the proposal.
The International Union has requested that locals hold meetings to recommend the deal on the weekend of April 24-25, and is holding a conference call for ABF Teamsters on April 27. Ballots will go soon after that.
http://www.tdu.org/news_abf-teamsters-vote-15-cut
Teamsters Reject 15% Cut in Pay for ABF Workers
This story appears in the May 31 print edition of Transport Topics.
Teamsters union workers rejected a voluntary 15% pay reduction at
ABF Freight System Inc. that the company had sought to bring its pay package closer to the one the union has with ABF’s chief LTL rival,
YRC Worldwide.
http://www.ttnews.com/articles/teamsters-reject-15-cut-pay-abf-workers
Arkansas Best Buys Panther Expedited for $180 Million
Jun 14, 2012
Arkansas Best, parent of less-than-truckload operator ABF Freight System, is acquiring non-asset carrier Panther Expedited Services for $180 million.
https://www.joc.com/trucking-logist...s-panther-expedited-180-million_20120614.html
