NLRB Rejects FedEx Request in Wilmington Election

11/14 UPDATE : THE VOTES WILL BE COUNTED AT 10:00 AM ON FRIDAY NOVEMBER 17.

On November 9, the National Labor Relations Board rejected a request by FedEx to review a ruling that ordered the October 20, 2006 election in which FedEx Home Delivery drivers in Wilmington, Massachusetts cast ballots to select the Teamsters as their bargaining representative.

Today's decision by the NLRB clears the way for the ballots to finally be counted, three weeks after workers in Wilmington voted. The drivers are seeking to be represented by Boston-based Teamsters Local 25.

"This latest delay tactic was yet another example of FedEx's desperation," said Ken Hall, Director of the Teamsters Parcel and Small Package Division. "The company will stop at nothing to deny its employees their federally protected right to organize a union."

"The workers in Wilmington stood up to the company's intimidation and have remained united throughout the process," said Sean M. O'Brien, President of Local 25. "Once the ballots are counted, we will turn our attention to negotiating a strong contract that gives the workers a more secure future."

The ballots were impounded, pending the board's ruling on the review request.

FedEx's latest delay tactic was meant to deny the drivers their right to join the Teamsters. Since 1988, the NLRB has ruled seven out of eight times that these drivers are in fact employees, not independent contracts as the company alleges.

"The drivers' day will come when these ballots finally get counted," said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa. "This is just the first step in providing FedEx employees with a strong voice on the job. Their days of getting bullied by the company will soon come to an end."