NEWARK, N.J. — On the 10 Roads Express picket line here March 1, two truckers and their Teamsters Local 641 representative discussed their strike with Joanne Kuniansky, Socialist Workers Party candidate for New Jersey governor, who came to offer solidarity.
The strike at 10 Roads Express, one of the largest U.S. Postal Service contractors, has expanded since it began Feb. 18. Union truckers in Alabama, Florida and Georgia walked off the job and joined strikers in Colorado, Illinois, Nebraska, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Utah and here. They are fighting to win a contract and convince more of their fellow truck drivers to join the union. A handful of the 19 truck drivers at this terminal have joined the Teamsters so far.
The truckers haven’t had a raise in four years, while inflation has driven up the cost of everything, they said.
Higher wages isn’t all they need. They have no sick days. Medical insurance costs are high, for the employee its $500 a month, add your spouse and it goes up to $1,000, add children and it’s $1,600. And there are no retirement benefits.
These truckers work long shifts six days a week, sometimes Saturday and Sunday. While they wait for their load at the mail depot, they have to stay in their trucks, often for up to three hours. Even though there is a building on the lot, it is locked so there is nowhere drivers can go to warm up or use the bathroom.
Rafi Peña, who has worked for the company for two years, told Kuniansky why he joined the union and is picketing every day. “If we just worked for ourselves individually, independently, we could not get anything done.” He gave an example from Dominican Republic where working people came together to fight to get electricity and running water. “We need to get together to benefit us all.”
“This is a fight for workers’ dignity and respect,” said Gary Kane, Teamsters Local 641 vice president.
This strike deserves widespread support. Picket lines are up Tuesday to Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Saturday from 5:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. The address is 295 Doremus Ave. in Newark. For information, go to the Teamsters Union Facebook page.