Teamster — FedEx

A bid by two dozen FedEx workers to join The Teamsters may resonate in the labor movement far beyond its numbers.

The fight in the New York suburb of Worcester pits one of the nation's most powerful labor unions against one of its most successful companies, where non of its 60,0000 drivers is unionized. The company claims the drivers are independent contractors.

The Teamsters say that the label is a way for the company to save hundreds of millions of dollars in Social Security taxes, repairs, gasoline tires and other expenses.

"FedEx is attempting to prevent its drivers from receiving the benefits that employees receive under the law, including laws that bar discrimination on the basis of race

"FedEx is an important target for us," said James P. Hoffa, president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. The union has goals to organize nearly 15,000 drivers in the FedEx division.

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