WASHINGTON — The International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) began contract talks for the new National Master Freight Agreement (NMFA). The negotiations were kicked off in an event at the National Press Club with both union and management representatives addressing the media.
During contract talks, the Teamsters Union will be represented by the Teamsters National Freight Industry Negotiating Committee (TNFINC). The freight companies will be represented by TMI, a division of the Motor Freight Carriers Association (MFCA). There are four freight companies that comprise the MFCA — Roadway Express, Yellow Transportation, ABF Freight System and USF Holland.
“The Teamsters expect to win a strong agreement that advances the interests of our members,” said James P. Hoffa, Teamsters General President and TNFINC Chairman. “Any agreement must protect the job, health and pension security of our members at the same time as it rewards them for their increased productivity and with a fair piece of the wealth they create.”
The current NMFA covers approximately 65,000 Teamsters nationwide and expires March 31, 2003. After the press conference, negotiating teams for both sides met at IBT headquarters in Washington to exchange bargaining goals.
“We will seek an agreement that is good for the Teamsters and good for the unionized less than truckload freight carriers,” added Phil Young, Teamsters National Freight Director and TNFINC Co-Chairman. “We will make sure that company negotiators clearly understand what the issues are. These include maintaining health care coverage, improving pensions and higher wages. We will bring a positive attitude to the table and hope that the companies do as well.”
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States and Canada.