The Militant (logo) 
Vol.63/No.43      December 6, 1999 
 
 
Overnite strikers win support in fight for union  
 
 
Below are several reports by worker-correspondents from the picket lines of the Teamsters strike at Overnite Transportation. Nearly a quarter of the 8,200 drivers and dock workers at Overnite have been on strike since late October, fighting to organize the largest nonunion trucking company in the United States. Overnite workers have voted to join the Teamsters at 37 of the company's terminals since 1995, but Overnite refuses to negotiate a contract and is resting the organizing drive at other worksites. The strikers have won solidarity from other Teamsters and unionists across the country, and need more support in this important labor battle. 
 
 
BY MAGGIE TROWE 
BLAINE, Minnesota—When two meatpackers and a young farmer took time out from the Minnesota Farmers Union convention to visit the Overnite picket line in this Minneapolis suburb, the two strikers on duty gave them "Shut Overnite Down" buttons and told them things were going well. Jamie Huff, 29, and Gary Damlo, 54, said the union had partially pushed back the court injunction limiting pickets to two and forbidding strikers to follow trucks driven by strikebreakers.

"With the new court decision, we can have four pickets in front of the gate and others can stand by the roadside. And we are following the scab trucks again, and talking to workers at warehouses where they try to make deliveries," Huff said. Workers at a number of warehouses, both union and nonunion, have refused to unload Overnite trucks, the strikers said.

Damlo said the company had put up a banner outside their Blaine terminal that said they were open for business "today, tomorrow, and in the future." The banner had blown down, however, and it was clear to the strikers that Overnite is not doing much business. "When the trucks go out, we can hear by how the springs sound that they are light or empty," Damlo said. "The company is desperate to have the public see the trucks running on the road. And they have been sending out their salesmen to tell customers the strike is over. But we follow them and tell the customers the truth—that the strike is going strong and the trucks are running empty."

Maggie Trowe is a member of the United Food and Commercial Workers.  
 

*****
 
BY NED MEASEL AND KATHIE FITZGERALD 
MOONACHIE, New Jersey—About 150 Teamsters and supporters from other unions rallied on the Overnite picket line outside the company's terminal here November 23. The terminal has been the scene of a longtime organizing drive, with the last union representation election three years ago failing by only two votes of the 55 workers.

Most joining the line were from Teamster locals in the northern New Jersey including five workers from the Tosco refinery in Linden who told the Militant they are picketing three days a week at the Carteret, New Jersey, terminal. A picket line rally there November 18 drew 150 unionists. Many Teamster locals throughout the state are holding weekly collections for the strikers.

Many other unions were represented at the Moonachie rally, most notably 25 members of Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees (UNITE) Local 99 from the nearby Liz Claiborne warehouse.

The mood was spirited as truck after truck drove past, pulling their horn cords in deafening support. Support also came from a sizable number of Overnite drivers who support the union organizing drive. As they pulled their rigs onto the highway, waves and greeting were exchanged between drivers and pickets.

Ned Measel is a member of UNITE Local 7587. Kathie Fitzgerald is a member of United Transportation Union Local 60. Jorge Ledesma contributed.  
 

*****
 
BY BOB BRAXTON 
ATLANTA—Unionists and others rallied to support striking Overnite workers at the main loading dock here on Moreland Avenue November 22. The rally, sponsored by striking Teamster's Local 728 and the Atlanta Labor Council, heard support for the strike from many local union representatives as well as Reverend Tim McDonald, the Metro Atlanta Religion-Labor Round Table, and several state legislators. The main theme was the demand that Overnite cease its attempted harassment and intimidation of the striking Teamsters. More than 150 people took part.

Midway through the rally a delegation of a dozen legislators and strike supporters presented company representatives with a letter to that effect. Platform speakers repeatedly emphasized the nonviolent and law-abiding character of the strike, in response to violence-baiting smears by the company and big-business press.

Among the supporters present were workers from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, United Auto Workers, Steelworkers, UNITE, Communication Workers of America, Laborers International Union, Ironworkers and others. The largest numbers were striking Overnite workers and Teamsters from other unionized companies in the area, including USF Holland, CSF, and ABF. A USF Holland worker indicated that he walked the line regularly as well as helped the ambulatory picketing. Money contributed in a collection box by USF Holland workers is being donated weekly to the strike.

Eddie Dunn, a striker and 23-year veteran driver at Overnite, expressed well the sentiment of those present at the rally: "It's not just for us. It's for the whole labor force. What happens here will set a precedent for all workers. The companies will see whether they can get away with these types of conditions or not. That's why more workers should support this strike."  
 
 
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