Trucking Company Violated Law in Terminating Teamster Supporters
The National Labor Relations Board ruled last week that a New York company, Dawn Trucking, violated the law when it terminated workers the day after they voted to form a union with Teamsters Local 282.
“Local 282 is pleased that this employer was held accountable for retaliating against workers who bravely came forward to better their lives,” said Teamsters Local 282 President Thomas Gesualdi. “I hope this sends a message to companies that they cannot curtail operations in order to remove workers who freely choose to be in a union.”
In November 2015, as workers prepared to vote to form a union, Dawn Trucking owner Henry Burey told workers he would shut down the company if they unionized. The day after workers voted 6-0 to join Local 282, Dawn Trucking closed its doors. Later, Burey reached out to workers about restarting work without the union.
The case sets an important precedent, said Gesualdi. Many companies think they can stop a union by closing their business and reopening at a later date, but in this case such tactics violated workers federally-protected rights.
The National Labor Relations Board ordered that workers be reinstated and paid back-wages.
Teamsters Local 282 was charted in 1915 and represents workers who handle and transport building materials for the New York construction sector.