Monday, January 12, 2009
Oak Harbor Teamster Update
Oak Harbor has maintained that they are operating at “business as usual” levels which simply is not true. They are operating at an estimated 30% of their previous freight levels. Of which Oak Harbor states that the majority of the decline is because of the economy. Oak Harbor’s freight levels dropped to this level early on in the dispute, and remained at about this level until current time. Oak Harbor has implemented pay cuts, as well as lay offs because of these freight levels, and has been offering freight discounts below profitable rates in a drastic attempt to regain some of their customers. While yes you may be tempted by the low rates, please refrain from shipping with them as Oak Harbor’s current employees are inexperienced. Shipping with Oak Harbor helps lengthen the time it takes for this dispute to be resolved. Oak Harbor could in essence close down at any time leaving customers freight stranded with in their system as has happened with other companies in the past.
The NLRB has found merit in three of the charges against Oak Harbor, with yet another to be determined. Oak Harbor has also lost some of their larger accounts due to the labor dispute, and yet continues to refuse to bargain in good faith.
All of the Teamsters would like to thank you for your ongoing support, and request your continued support until this issue is resolved. In the mean time we also request that until such time that the dispute is settled you ship with one of the other companies when ever possible. Tillamook Portland and USF Reddaway both have services that would probably fit your needs.
Once this dispute is resolved we look forward to returning to work, doing our best to rebuild our relationships with all of our customers, and doing our best to make sure your freight needs are met. Just as we did prior to this labor dispute.