arieswytch ([info]arieswytch) wrote,
@ 2009-06-23 06:26:00
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FAA Reauthorization Act
Recently, FedEx created a website which is supposed to tell you that UPS is seeking a bailout from the government. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. What this boils down to is some legislation that recently passed the House and is now with the Senate. This piece of legislation is called the FAA Reauthorization Act. Some wording was included in this act to exclude FedEx Express drivers and package handlers from being covered under the RLA, as they are now, and instead be covered under the NLRA, like UPS drivers and package handlers.

The RLA, Railway Labor Act, is an act that covers railways and airlines. This says that these companies must organize on a whole company level if they are going to unionize. This was originally intended so that a strike in one town would not disrupt operations countrywide. FedEx Express in its entirety is currently covered under this act. UPS pilots and airplane mechanics only are currently covered under this act.

The NLRA, National Labor Relations Act, is an act that covers all other trucking companies. This act allows unionization by location. All UPS drivers, truck/auto mechanics, and package handlers are covered under this act.

When this new act passes the Senate, then the drivers and package handlers at FedEx Express will be able to unionize by location. Now, this doesn’t necessarily mean that they will, but they will be able to if they so desire. Actually, Fed Ex has other divisions currently covered under the NLRA that have not yet chosen to organize, but FedEx would have you believe that if this passes then they will automatically have to raise rates 30% and cancel a large order with Boeing in order to compensate for increased costs due to unionization. Past history does not bear this out.

Really, what UPS is saying here is that people who do the same jobs should be governed under the same laws. Seems like a no-brainer to me.

To read UPS’ stance on the issue, go here Recently, FedEx created a website which is supposed to tell you that UPS is seeking a bailout from the government. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. What this boils down to is some legislation that recently passed the House and is now with the Senate. This piece of legislation is called the FAA Reauthorization Act. Some wording was included in this act to exclude FedEx Express drivers and package handlers from being covered under the RLA, as they are now, and instead be covered under the NLRA, like UPS drivers and package handlers.

The RLA, Railway Labor Act, is an act that covers railways and airlines. This says that these companies must organize on a whole company level if they are going to unionize. This was originally intended so that a strike in one town would not disrupt operations countrywide. FedEx Express in its entirety is currently covered under this act. UPS pilots and airplane mechanics only are currently covered under this act.

The NLRA, National Labor Relations Act, is an act that covers all other trucking companies. This act allows unionization by location. All UPS drivers, truck/auto mechanics, and package handlers are covered under this act.

When this new act passes the Senate, then the drivers and package handlers at FedEx Express will be able to unionize by location. Now, this doesn’t necessarily mean that they will, but they will be able to if they so desire. Actually, Fed Ex has other divisions currently covered under the NLRA that have not yet chosen to organize, but FedEx would have you believe that if this passes then they will automatically have to raise rates 30% and cancel a large order with Boeing in order to compensate for increased costs due to unionization. Past history does not bear this out.

Really, what UPS is saying here is that people who do the same jobs should be governed under the same laws. Seems like a no-brainer to me.

To read UPS’ stance on the issue, go here

To see FedEx’s propaganda, go here

Please email your Senators to voice your opinion on this important issue. You can find a list of Senators by state here



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That's the union spin!
(Anonymous)
2009-07-06 10:56 pm UTC (link)
"They do the same job". That's like saying apples and oranges are both fruits. The truth, and what people like you like to ignore, is that the RLA has nothing to do with the job one performs. It is designed to keep a local "job action" from shutting down an airline or railroad. That can't happen at UPS since they are already unionized nationally. But if all the package handlers in just Memphis went on strike? It would shut down the airline and put thousands of non-union employees out of work. If UPS really wants a level playing field then they should support the Teamsters efforts to nationally organize FedEx Express (which they've tried to do for years). This is nothing more than a money grab by the Teamsters and an attempt by UPS to put a competitor out of business. What other motive would there be? UPS already makes billions more than FedEx, so the playing field is already tilted in their favor. Except for a few "union towns" the majority of FedEx employees do not want a union, so this law doesn't help them. It is totally designed to benefit only two groups, UPS and the Teamsters. Is that really what our Congress is for? Think about it, is being under the NLRA really a benefit to those employees who want a union? If so, then how can it be that 70% of RLA employees are unionized and only 15% of NLRA employees? If unions can organize all the major airlines nationally then how come they can't unionize FedEx? Could it be that there is no interest?!

By the way, "UPS's Stance" - "Fedex's propaganda" Who's paying your salary? UPS or the Teamsters?

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