Union’s Investigation into “4 and Go” and Removals from Service Reveals Contract Violations by the Employer

Recently, Teamsters Local 727 members notified the Union that National Express d/b/a Cook DuPage Transportation (CDT) was not assigning “4 and Go’s” pursuant to the contract. Immediately after receiving this information from the members, Local 727 began an investigation and sent an information request to the Company.

In response to the Union’s information request, Local 727 received hundreds of documents from the Company. The Union spent days reviewing the voluminous documents and discovered during its investigation that National Express d/b/a CDT did indeed violate the CBA. Among other things, it appeared that the employer had not assigned 4 and Go’s in seniority order.

Upon discovery of the violations, Local 727 timely filed a Class Action grievance on behalf of all members who were given a 4 and Go out of seniority order. The Union also has filed a Class Action grievance against National Express d/b/a CDT on behalf of all members who were unjustly taken out of service by PACE. Both Class Action grievances are pending Step 1 of the grievance procedure, and the Union has requested dates to meet with National Express d/b/a CDT.

Local 727 is pushing to have these grievances heard as soon as possible and is demanding members be made whole.

“The Union is not going to let these important concerns go unaddressed by the Company,” said John Coli Jr., Secretary-Treasurer of Local 727. “We’re going to push these grievances, if necessary, to arbitration. I am proud of the brave union members who spoke up about these issues so that the Union could get to work at resolving them.”

Members are encouraged to reach out to their business representative if they believe that the contract has been violated.

Anyone with questions should contact Local 727 Business Representative Donnie Von Moore at (773) 403-1032 or [email protected].

Nothing in this article should be read as the union’s waiver of any legal argument, position or additional grievance. The union does not forfeit its right to make any and all supplemental arguments.

Category: PARATRANSIT