New Teamsters President Sean O’Brien signaled his readiness to topple business as usual for companies by waging strikes. This was no empty warning:
Teamsters have been beefing up their numbers by organizing bus drivers working for DS Bus Line, Hallcon, and First Student, and the strike threats are coming accordingly. A last-minute deal averted a First Student bus driver strike that nearly left 8,500 students without a ride to school in Rhode Island.
Detroit-based car haulers previously voted to strike by the thousands. Clearly, that threat impacted contract talks at Chrysler’s Jefferson Assembly Plant. A strike was averted, and the Teamsters claimed victory over wage boosts.
Freight and sanitation workers in Tennessee recently voted to authorize a strike at two Republic Services facilities as contract negotiations continue.
