Opinion ID: 789622
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Bullman's Organizing Activities

Text: 14 Bullman began working for Ryder as a T-1 technician in 1995, and by November 2000 was promoted to the T-3 level. 2 During this period, Bullman became concerned about the prospect of the Indianapolis West facility converting to a 24-hour, 7-day work schedule. He also learned that employees at a unionized Ryder facility in Cincinnati were earning more per hour than nonunion employees at the Indianapolis locations. Bullman contacted the Union and spoke with its business representative, John Silhavy, about organizing the Indianapolis East and West facilities. Around the same time, Bullman also e- mailed Ryder's human resources department in Miami to complain about the conversion to a 24-7 schedule and wrote to Rhae Buckley, the senior manager of human resources for the region, to complain about the lower pay of the Indianapolis shops compared to the Cincinnati shops. 15 On November 16, 2000, Bullman and Chad Luster, another Ryder employee, met with union representative Silhavy. Bullman and Luster signed a petition stating: 16 We believe that only through collective bargaining can we have a voice in our work place, achieve fair treatment for all, establish seniority and better benefits, wages and working conditions. Therefore, this will authorize the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, AFL-CIO to represent me in collective bargaining with my employer. This will also authorize the union to use my name for the purpose of organizing Ryder Transportation Services. 17 In the following days, Bullman approached fellow Ryder employees about signing the petition. Some employees informed Bullman's supervisor, Richard Woehlke, about Bullman's organizing efforts on behalf of the Union. Woehlke testified that he told these employees if you feel you are being harassed then you need to put it in writing and then come see me.