Some 2,000 drivers, dock-workers, and maintenance workers across the United States began a strike against Overnite on October 24. Overnite is the sixth largest U.S. trucking company and the largest one that is unorganized. It is owned by the Union Pacific Railroad.

Many of the strikers, members of Teamsters Local 728, have gotten other jobs and a majority of the rally participants were from other unions such as the Carpenters and Machinists.

In February, the Department of Transportation, responding to a company complaint, forced the strikers to move their picket tent across the street from the entrance to the terminal. It had been right next it.

Before the rally a mass picket was organized in front of the terminal. Overnite trucks were allowed to leave and enter the premises, although some were delayed during the event. One scab driver trying to exit the terminal left his truck to complain to company security. DeKalb County police were on the scene within minutes and the pickets made room for the trucks with some loud shouting at the scab drivers.

"I loved the rally. We'll be here until we win a contract. Overnite only cares about the big shots, not the drivers and dockworkers," said striker Jerry Wilson.

"It's not easy living on their retirement. I just got tired of all the favoritism. There was too much b.s.," stated Jimmy Cowden, who retired from Overnite a year and a half ago.

"The strike is still strong," said Frank Williams who has 28 years at Overnite. "We're dedicated to staying out until we get a contract. The ambulatory picketing is having an effect. We follow a truck and picket the facility. A driver from another company who sees us won't cross the picket line. The idea is for Overnite's customers to stop using Overnite for their deliveries. We meet around 8:00 a.m. to follow the trucks." Williams said he was part of the Teamster contingent at the Atlanta King Day march January 17.

"I didn't see other unions and other struggles going on until I was hit with this strike," he said.  
 

The Teamsters take up weekly collections at the terminals. Union members at Consolidated Freight continue to spearhead daily caravans of trucks in front of Overnite. Every morning they gather and drive slowly by the terminal blaring horns in solidarity with the strike. Recently a rally of 200 members from the Teamsters Joint Council took place in front of Overnite.

Unionists throughout the St. Louis area continue to back the strike. On February 28 about a dozen union members gathered at the picket shack following a meeting earlier that evening of the St. Louis Rail Labor Coalition. The rail workers were from the United Transportation Union, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, the clerks union, and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way. They were joined at the picket line by several workers from United Steelworkers of America, the International Association of Machinists, and the garment and textile workers union.

David Cassidy, who is a member of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way at Norfolk Southern Railroad, said the Rail Labor Coalition was formed in 1995 during union contract negotiations. "We deal with railroads every day. They are getting a taste of it," said Robert Taylor in an interview. Taylor works for Union Pacific railroad. Charles Bolam, vice president of the coalition, said this is the third time the Rail Labor Coalition has brought food or firewood to the picket line. "We want to let them know that we think that their fight is important. Every time nonunion wins, it makes all unions weaker," he said.  
 
 
Front page (for this issue) | Home | Text-version home