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» NC Truckers To Formalize Union Over MLK Weekend - Negotiating Committee Already Formed In Preparation For Talks

NC Truckers to Formalize Union Over MLK Weekend - Negotiating Committee Already Formed in Preparation for Talks

Submitted by intexile on Wed, 12/17/2008 - 9:27pm.

On the weekend of Martin Luther King Day, log truckers and container haulers from Eastern North Carolina and Virginia will be gathering to formally charter the United Truckers Union. This event will be the culmination of a nearly year-long organizing drive that led to a work stoppage on the morning of December 8, 2008. That action, which saw small but lively pickets outside of Weyerhaeuser mills along coastal North Carolina, reduced the amount of logs entering the New Bern mill by approximately 35% and shut down several tree stands in the Plymouth area. Only six trucks left BTT's yard, one of Weyerhaeuser's primary subcontractors and a target of the strike. Following the mornings' stoppage, a unnamed Weyerhaeuser representative announced to local media that management agreed to the workers' key demand: that mill management recognize the drivers' organization and arrange a meeting between the drivers' negotiating committee, Weyerhaeuser, and representatives of the subcontractors who employ the drivers. Accordingly, the union has directed a letter to the Vice President for Southern Timberland in Seattle, Washington offering several dates and places for an initial meeting.

Community support has proven integral to the drivers' success. In particular, local churches have vocally supported the organization. "Preacher," a union member and an ordained reverend, described this relationship: "The drivers represent the community, the church represents the community. What affects one of us, affects all of us. We're all in this together." Along much these same lines, the solidarity shown by the larger labor movement has been a source of moral as well as real world support. The drivers would to take this opportunity to thank the unionists and environmental activists who picketed Weyerhaeuser corporate headquarters on the day of their recent strike. Likewise, they are extending their sincerest appreciations to USW Locals in North Carolina and Washington State, UE 150, and the Northwest Log Truckers Cooperative.

The drivers have already announced their intention to affiliate with the Industrial Workers of the World Motor Transport Workers Industrial Union (IWW IU 530). Founded in 1905, the IWW is a democratic and militant rank-and-file industrial union. The IWW believes that only through organization can the men and women who carry everything our communities need break the pattern of injustice faced by America's truck drivers.
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bostonbill Says:
Sat, 12/20/2008 - 10:42am
This is terrific news. Can anyone provide details - and maybe some quotes - on why the decision was made to go with the IWW as opposed to the Teamsters or an independent union? Any "silent agitators" available that we could use to spread the word here in the Boston area?

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Scottishpunk Says:
Sat, 12/20/2008 - 5:57pm
Speaking as someone who has worked closely with the N.C. campaign over the year, the drivers originally called the Teamsters and they didn't respond, then they called us and we called them back. As far as silent agitators, you would have to get in contact with Jefferson from the Freight Truckers Organizing Committee to become an officially recognized volunteer for organizing in the trucking industry. We have a very specific way of doing outreach, so we want to make sure everyone is on the same page with going out to truck stops with the United Truckers newsletter. Private message me if you want more information. -Drew

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bostonbill Says:
Sun, 12/21/2008 - 7:45pm
Thanks for the info, scottishpunk! I wonder if the IBT's lack of response was due in part to the so-called "independent contractor" status of some of the workers. Here in Boston they seem to be interested in organizing anything that moves. Anyway, we might be able to get some newsletters out to truck stops in the area, if and when that becomes useful - you can contact us via bostonbill@iww.org . Best of luck!

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