WHAT IS TAKING SO LONG!!!!!! That is the question many TEAMSTER members are asking regarding the contract negotiations in Russellville, AR. The answer is your Union Negotiating Committee, Business Agent Karen Smith and President Tim Nichols are committed to bringing a Tentative Agreement to the membership that provides REAL improvements for our Brothers and Sisters regarding health care, grievance resolution and working conditions.

The Negotiating Committee met with the company this week in the hopes of achieving those goals before the end of the week. While significant progress was made in certain areas the Union could not agree to accept the Company's proposals on the few remaining open issues. Local 878 President Tim Nichols stated " The negotiating committee and I have a responsibility to get the best possible agreement for our Brothers and Sisters. We will not allow a company or others to rush us into an agreement that we feel dosen't benefit our members. I am committed to negotiating the best contract possible for our membership and we will not accept an agreement until certain goals have been met. We will not take the easiest road out, we will continue working hard on this contract until we are satisfied it is the best that it can be."

Formal negotiations are tentatively scheduled to resume the week of June 23rd, however, Union and Company representatives will continue informal dialogue during the interim. Please continue to monitor this web site for updates as the negotiations progress.

Roadway's Change of Operations:

Velocity Change:
The date of the phone bidding provided by the decision shall be June 15, 2008, commencing at 0900 hours CST. Implementation of this change of Operations shall be July 13, 2008.

Utility Employee Change:
The date of the phone bidding provided by the decision shall be June 15, 2008, commencing at 0900 hours CST. Implementation of this change of Operations shall be July 13, 2008.

Yellow's Change of Operations:

Velocity Change:
The date of the phone bidding provided by the decision shall be June 16, 2008, commencing at 0900 hours CST. Implementation of this change of Operations shall be July 6, 2008.

Utility Employee Change:
The date of the phone bidding provided by the decision shall be June 16, 2008, commencing at 0900 hours CST. Implementation of this change of Operations shall be July 6, 2008.