ABM Pilot Drivers recently ratified their first contract by an overwhelming 95%.
These new Teamsters at ABM are employed to shuttle UPS pilots to and from their parking lot at the Worldport air hub. Due to their connection to the pilots, the NLRB ruled that they fell under the Railway Labor Act (RLA) rather than the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). This marks a historic moment for Local 89 as it is the first time we have ever represented workers under the RLA.
To get back to the table sooner and address any issues that arise after ratification, this first contract has a significantly shorter term than most at only 20 months. This also aligns the ABM Pilot Drivers contract expiration with the expiration of the existing ABM Shuttle Bus Drivers contract.
In economic victories, members will receive $1.75 in wage increases over the next 20 months, and an additional $1.50 shift differential for those who work on second and third shifts. Starting April 1st, members will be covered by TeamCare health insurance, marking a significant improvement over their previous plan. Full and part-time employees will now have paid vacation that can be broken into single-day segments and can also be used in lieu of call-ins. The agreement also secured paid holidays and premium time for working on holidays, jury duty, a 401(k) match, reporting guarantees, and training pay.
On non-economics, the agreement includes picket line protections, seniority and bump rights, hotel lodging during hazardous conditions, and language on essential workers, military family time off, sanitary conditions, technological changes, safety and access to bottled water.
For these negotiations, Local 89 repeated the team approach style used for the ABM Shuttle Bus Drivers with Business Agent Jay Dennis acting as the union’s chair, and supported by Recording Secretary Craig Burns, Organizer Wes Odle and General Counsel Cody Hibbard. Rank-and-file members Margaret Harris, Andrew Abbott and Ken White also served on the negotiating committee, where their knowledge and dedication proved invaluable to winning this first agreement. The committee was rounded out by ABM Shuttle Bus Driver Chief Steward Curtis Durst, who was instrumental in the organizing drive for the Pilot Drivers.
President Thompson, Secretary-Treasurer Cooper and everyone at Teamsters Local 89 would like to congratulate the hard-working ABM Pilot Drivers on winning a strong first contract, and welcome them as the newest shop and members of our ever-growing, proud union family!
