The union had lost representation elections at these locations after a majority of workers signed cards asking to join the union. The NLRB ruled that company officials had carried out such a level of intimidation that the election results should be reversed in favor of the union. The Teamster battle against Overnite comes at a time of increased determination among workers to fight for dignity and better working conditions. Last week the final question mark on the election, the result of a 25-year fight, was pushed aside when the company announced it was withdrawing its challenge to the union victory. Favoritism, goes on all the time.
Racism plays into it, too, when it comes to getting good runs or bad runs.
And I've learned the union can't make the company do anything unless you're willing to strike. Dick Geyer in Birmingham, Alabama, and Tom Fiske in Minneapolis contributed to this article.