WOW...BIG change at Teamsters
Teamsters takes over local pilots’ union
By L.M. SIXEL Copyright 2009 HOUSTON CHRONICLE
April 15, 2009, 6:03PM
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters took over one of its local unions in Houston Wednesday morning, alleging that it failed to properly represent its members and was unresponsive to their complaints.
Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa put Teamsters Local 747 under trusteeship after several union members sought to drop the union as its bargaining representative and in some cases join another union, according to the notice posted at the local union headquarters.
The local is based in Houston and represents 4,000 pilots who work for cargo shippers and regional airlines nationwide. The pilots fly for Republic Air, Gulfstream International Airlines, North American Airlines, Great Lakes Airlines and Cape Air as well as others.
“We are working to ensure our members’ contracts are enforced and their assets are protected,” said Bret Caldwell, spokesman for the international in Washington, D.C.
The former president of Teamsters Local 747, who also serves as the local’s general counsel, could not be reached for comment.