---

Teamsters Caravan Across America to Rally Overnite Strikers

15 September 2000

Teamsters Caravan Across America to Rally Overnite Strikers Before Meeting With Gore

    Convoy Builds Excitement While Highlighting Struggle Against Overnite

    WASHINGTON, Sept. 14 A caravan of Teamster trucks and
drivers today began a cross-country trip that will end at the Teamsters Unity
Conference in Las Vegas.  The convoy originated in Boston with a truck from
Teamsters Local 25 and will meet additional trucks as it crosses the country.
As the trip continues, the Teamsters will stop in Indianapolis, St. Louis and
Denver to rally striking workers at Overnite Transportation, the trucking
subsidiary of Union Pacific, in each city.  The Teamster trucks will arrive in
Las Vegas in time for a rally with Vice-President Al Gore on September 18.
    "The Teamsters will travel across America in support of the brave men and
women at Overnite Transportation," said International Brotherhood of Teamsters
General President James P. Hoffa.  "It is only fitting that we end our caravan
with a rally for Vice-President Al Gore.  Al Gore knows the injustices that
the Teamsters at Overnite have endured.  He has been to the strike line to
support the Overnite strikers.  When Al Gore is President, working families
will have a fierce advocate in the White House."
    Overnite workers have been on strike against the Union Pacific subsidiary
for nearly one year.  The unfair labor practices (ULP) strike against
Overnite, a subsidiary of Union Pacific, began in Memphis, TN on October 24,
1999 and quickly spread to 140 Overnite terminals in 39 states.
    The ULP strike follows an unfair labor practice charge filed at the
National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). More than 1,000 individual violations
have been filed against Overnite Transportation with the NLRB for the
company's unlawful conduct. The charges include intimidation, harassment, and
unlawful discharge.  The Teamsters currently represent 45 percent of
Overnite's drivers and dockworkers at 37 terminals.
    The International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents more than 1.5
million working men and women throughout the United States and Canada.