(OAKLAND, Calif.) – Workers at an intermodal rail transportation company in Oakland voted today to form their union as members of Teamsters Local 70 in an effort to achieve a more secure future for themselves and their families.

The drivers, crane operators, groundsmen and mechanics at Pac Rail Services voted unanimously to join Teamsters Local 70. The workers service the Union Pacific Railroad at the Port of Oakland. Their victory comes after 777 workers at another intermodal company, Parsec, Inc., in Commerce, Calif. voted to form their union with Teamsters Local 986 last month.

“For years the Pac Rail workers have seen how the Teamster-represented intermodal workers across the street who service the BNSF railroad were treated and compensated better,” said Lou Marchetti, Business Agent for Local 70 in Oakland. “The Pac Rail workers have received substandard wages and benefits for far too long under an in-house association that did not represent their interests.”

Leading up to the election, Local 70 was able to save many of the Pac Rail workers’ jobs by filing Unfair Labor Practice charges against Pac Rail and NPWU 707, who was attempting to represent them by eliminating half of the workforce.

“We will work hard to negotiate a strong first contract for the workers and fight for fair wages and improved benefits,” Marchetti said. “With the Parsec victory and now this win, we are restoring Teamster power in the intermodal rail transportation industry.”



Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @teamsters and “like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.