Teamsters Local 727 Issues Press Release: WeDriveU Members Authorize Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) Strike
For Immediate Release Contact:
March 30, 2023 Caleen Carter-Patton, (847) 696-7500
WeDriveU Members Authorize Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) Strike
(CHICAGO)— Approximately fifty (50) WeDriveU shuttle drivers represented by Teamsters Local 727 voted overwhelmingly to authorize an unfair labor practice (ULP) strike. WeDriveU is a subsidiary of National Express Group PLC (LON: NEX) and provides shuttle services in and around the Chicagoland area. Teamsters Local 727 has filed several unfair labor practice charges (ULPs) against WeDriveU, including the most recent maintenance of unlawful work rules charge filed within hours of the strike authorization vote.
Throughout the bargaining process, WeDriveU has bargained in bad faith with management refusing to bargain in person, arriving late and unprepared, often taking hours to caucus. To date, the Union bargaining committee has yet to receive management’s last, best, and final offer in writing, instead leaving the Union to piece together a summary sheet for the membership to vote. To add insult to injury, WeDriveU offered their senior drivers decreasing lump sums instead of any hourly raise resulting in wage cuts for any employee with more than 3 years seniority. While many drivers received a substantial first year wage increase, the second and third year increases will likely not even cover projected inflation. Further, the first year wage increase was long overdue—it just now brings the WeDriveU drivers to the low end of wages received by their Union brothers and sisters doing similar work in the Chicagoland area.
“These front-line, essential Teamsters drivers worked selflessly throughout the pandemic, driving medical care professionals to and from hospitals. They risked their own health and safety, as well as their families to transport our city’s best doctors, nurses, and other hospital workers,” said Teamsters Local 727 Secretary-Treasurer John Coli, Jr. “When the time came to bargain a successor contract, these members expected not only to be rewarded for their selfless hard work but to also be given wage increases that would bring them in line with the rest of the industry. Instead, they were met with disrespect and bad faith bargaining. Our shuttle drivers are proud of the work they do in helping clients of WeDriveU like Northwestern and Lurie’s run, and we only ask that WeDriveU show drivers the value and respect they deserve. If not, we will have no choice but to strike.”
Teamsters Local 727 represents nearly 10,000 hardworking men and women throughout the Chicago area.
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico.
# # #
CONTACT: Caleen Carter-Patton, (847) 696-7500
Nothing in this article should be read as the union’s waiver of any legal argument, position or grievance(s), or as a waiver of any rights, arguments, or defenses under any contract, collective bargaining agreement, or applicable law. The union does not forfeit its right to make any and all supplemental arguments. The Union has no dispute with any of WeDriveU’s clients or customers including but not limited to Lurie and Northwestern hospital.
Category: PARATRANSIT, Shuttles
