
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, March 31, 1994                   TAG: 9403310300
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: B-7   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Journal of Commerce
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Medium

TRUCKING IMPASSE THREATENED

Contract negotiations between the Teamsters union and the major less-than-truckload carriers are down to the wire, with a final management offer expected just hours before the current pact expires at midnight today. Plans for a last-minute offer led some observers to conclude that management, represented by Trucking Management Inc., was digging in, dimming hopes for a settlement.

Teamster officials blasted the timing of the management move.

Ron Carey, union president, said late Wednesday that management negotiators ``have told us they will confront us tomorrow with a last-minute take-it-or-leave-it offer. This is no way to negotiate a crucial national contract.''

``The companies have misrepresented what they want from these negotiations,'' he said. ``Their economic proposal would not allow a good wage increase and improved health and pension benefits, and they fail to address our members' concerns for a more effective grievance procedure and improved health and safety protections. No settlement is possible without progress on these issues.''

Arthur H. Bunte Jr., president of TMI, said he hopes the final offer, which will contain job security, increased compensation and greater operating flexibility for carriers, would be voted in by the union.

Union officials refused to discuss their strategy, declining to speculate what terms or conditions would prompt them to call a strike.

Carey has an authorization from more than 90 percent of the membership to call a walkout, but it was not clear whether that option would be exercised without a vote by the rank and file on a specific contract proposal.

The 120,000 union members could work without a contract, though that has rarely occurred. A contract extension also is a possibility, as is a settlement.

The original management offer was for a $2.80-an-hour increase over four years. The Teamsters' counteroffer exceeds $4 an hour over three years.

Bunte said the final offer will update a comprehensive proposal for wages, benefits and working conditions presented two weeks ago.

TMI members, including major carriers such as Yellow Freight, Roadway and CF Motor Freight, have been under pressure from regional nonunion companies and package carriers. Major less-than-truckload carriers have increased volume in recent months, but nonunion companies are increasing market share.

The Teamsters' public comments stressed strident opposition to the hiring of part-timers at $8 an hour and the widespread use of rail-truck service that now can be used only in limited situations.

Some observers had thought a settlement was likely because of union dissension or a purported lack of financial resources, though the Teamsters have access to an $80 million line of credit.

An effort by Carey to increase dues and replenish the Teamsters' strike fund was trounced 3-to-1 earlier this month.

by CNB