Local 727 Demands That CDT Do More to Protect Employees
Today, Secretary-Treasurer John Coli Jr and Teamsters Local 727 Business Representatives held a conference call with the CDT (National Express) bargaining committee after the committee presented the Union with a petition seeking help in securing enhanced safety protections and hazard pay for over 700 dispatchers, drivers, and recon employees. The bargaining committee spoke passionately about the need for CDT to be held even further accountable to ensure that management isn’t selectively providing personal protective equipment (PPE) simply when it’s convenient for them, and to make sure that the vans and buses are regularly and meticulously deep-cleaned.
Teamsters Local 727 has filed multiple grievances and information requests about safety and paid leave with CDT, all of which are still pending. Even before Governor Pritzker ordered a shelter in place, Teamsters Local 727 sent a comprehensive information request asking CDT to explain measures they were or planned to take in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the Union requested: 1) the sick leave and/or attendance policy the company will be using during this time to ensure members stay home while sick and/or to identify exposure; 2) what cleaning standards have been put in place including increased cleaning and disinfecting; and 3) what measures the company is taking to keep members informed of policies, procedures, and exposures.
To date, Teamsters Local 727 has helped CDT management secure gallons of hand sanitizer from a local brewery, demanded gloves and extra cleaning, and enforced social distancing at CDT when management failed to do so. Furthermore, every time a CDT member has called the Union to report they have been diagnosed by a doctor with COVID-19 or quarantined because a family member was diagnosed with COVID-19, Teamsters Local 727 has demanded and successfully negotiated paid leave for the duration of the member’s quarantine. Just today, Teamsters Local 727 again demanded that management address concerns on van cleaning, facility cleaning and distribution of PPE. CDT management promised that an answer would be provided to the Union tomorrow.
“Our members’ safety and livelihood is the most important thing to me during this worldwide health pandemic. Our business agents have filed dozens upon dozens of grievances and unfair labor practice charges against companies for unauthorized furloughs, enhanced safety protections for COVID-19, and to provide additional paid sick leave and hazard pay for our frontline, essential Teamsters workers. While CDT management has made a good first step, it is simply not enough. Management must make sure every employee has a mask, gloves and access to hand sanitizer each day. Every work space must be deep-cleaned daily, and the company must put practices in place to enforce social distancing,” said John Coli Jr. “Furthermore, CDT must pay their frontline, essential workers hazard pay. Every day, these members are risking their health and the health of their families to service our communities. The CDT members provide essential services to some of our most vulnerable population in the city of Chicago, and they should be paid accordingly,” added Coli.
Teamsters Local 727 has filed a grievance demanding hazard pay for CDT members. Additionally, the Union has purchased 4,000 masks to pass out to all frontline, essential Teamsters Local 727 members still working over the next few weeks and expects to have them in the coming weeks for distribution.
Member with questions should contact Business Agent Donnie Von Moore at 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.
Category: Union News
