CHICAGO – Teamsters Local 727 represents approximately 40 drivers who provide shuttle transportation to various WeDriveU (“the Company”) clients in Chicago including Northwestern University and Lurie Children’s Hospital. The WeDriveU shuttle drivers voted in July to authorize an unfair labor practice strike against WeDriveU. Since negotiations began, Teamsters Local 727 has filed numerous unfair labor practice charges against the Company and a class action lawsuit against the Company over violations of the Chicago Paid Sick and Personal Leave Ordinance. Shortly after the lawsuit was filed, representatives from WeDriveU reached out to the Union to meet.
Teamsters Local 727 and WeDriveU met on September 3, 2026, in the hopes of reaching a resolution. The company showed up unprepared and empty handed on a deal that would be acceptable. In a move that surprised the Union, legal counsel for WeDriveU confirmed that there is currently no collective bargaining agreement and no extension agreement, and therefore no applicable no strike clause in effect for its shuttle operations for the Teamster Local 727 represented shuttle drivers. As a result, members can strike at any time.
The Union sent a notice to WeDriveU’s shuttle clients serviced in Chicago, informing them of WeDriveU’s shocking stance and outlining the possibility of an unfair labor practice strike against WeDriveU which can commence at any time.
“WeDriveU’s actions never cease to amaze me. If WeDriveU has an opportunity to screw something up, they will. The fact that WeDriveU doesn’t want labor peace and would rather continue playing games than reaching a deal with the Union is nothing short of shameful,” said Caleen Carter-Patton, President and Business Manager of Teamsters Local 727. “These members provide vital services that the Company is taking for granted by its actions,” added Carter-Patton.
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
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. There is no dispute with any other employer other than WeDriveU.