June 24, 2014
By Stephanie West
Los Angeles, California – The NLRB’s Region 21 issued a consolidated complaint against Green Fleet Systems, a large drayage company operating at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach in California as well as the Port of Savannah, Ga. The company is alleged to have conducted an anti-union program aimed at discouraging Green Fleet Systems drivers from organizing and joining the Teamsters.
The NLRB complaint alleges the company terminated two workers for union activities and threatened to dismiss several others for engaging in union organizing. In addition, Green Fleet supervisors interrogated workers and conducted a pattern of employee threats and intimidation throughout November 2013. In January 2014, the complaint says that employees were questioned about union “membership, activities and sympathies.”
The NLRB document also mentions that Green Fleet Systems coerced workers to sign anti-union petitions. The company encouraged and allowed anti-union employees to harass or assault pro-union personnel.
“Green Fleet Systems has done everything they can to stop their drivers from having a voice on the job, but the drivers stayed strong knowing the law was on their side,” said Eric Tate, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 848.“This is a big moment for Green Fleet drivers who are a leading example across the country that when drivers stick together, they can defend their rights and win justice at the workplace.”
According to an IBT press release, the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement in 2013, ordered GFS to pay $280,822 in back wages and penalties to four former company drivers who had been misclassified as independent contractors.
