2009-01-02 - GNN Teamsters Strike

Submitted by Gand
The Ancient Galactic Union of Spacers, Teamsters and Longshoremen, a space-centric union with locals spread across the galaxy, especially the Corellian, Bothan, Coruscant, Y'toub, Vanix, Mantell, Tatooine and Kessel systems, where they have jurisdiction over all interstellar cargo loading and unloading. After working without a contract for the last two months, the union struck today, with over 95% of members voting to strike, stopping all work at the cargo nodes.
Alexis Trumpleton, a member of the neogiation team for the Ancient Galactic Union of Spacers, Teamsters and Longshoremen, Local 105135, had this to say, "We're just looking for a fair wage and a reasonable benefits package. Our workers, and the droids we oversee, move billions of tons of millions of types of goods every day, packing cargo ships with minimal breakage and shifting. Surely the management of the ports can see that it's our expertise that keeps the galaxy's trade routes moving, and we just want our fair share of the proceeds."
The Frashkart Economic Concern, announced after the strike began, that they had walked away from the negotiating table. Their spokesGand had the following comment, "Now that the Teamsters Union has initiated this completely illegal strike, both large shipping corporations, and the independant operators that depend on FEC loans are severely hurt. We strongly urge the governments of the galaxy to force the teamsters to go back to work, with or without a contract, or simply replace them with non-unionized workers. Certainly the Frashkart Economic Concern cannot agree to their outrageous demands! The Teamsters are the largest obstacle to prosperity in the galaxy! Once they are removed, shipping will become vastly more efficient - and, as a result, corporate profits will rise and consumer prices will fall." The financial services arm of the FEC also reported that they are unilaterally moving back the due dates of all outstanding loans by seven days, due to the pending resolution of the strike.
The Frashkart Economic Concern is a large, privately held multinational corporation on the Rim. In addition to operating the colony of Frashkart, the FEC has a variety of businesses, including a large financial services arm that provides start-up funding to independant shippers.
Category:January 09 GNN Posts