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April 30 NLRB Files Brief in DC Circuit CourtThe National Labor Relations Board filed its brief before the DC Circuit Court in defense of the Board ruling that the Wilmington, MA Home Delivery drivers are employees.  In its presentation of the facts, the NLRB brief said, “The drivers’ agreement, which the drivers did not negotiate, establish a full-time work arrangement and control their work...Except for the route assignment and for one aspect of compensation, the operating agreements are non-negotiable and presented on a take-it-or-leave-it basis.” The brief is uploaded to our Resource page for the Local 25 case.  FedEx now has the opportunity to file a response brief.
April 21 New York Times Reporter Writes About FedEx in New BookSteven Greenhouse, the labor beat reporter for the New York Times, released a book called The Big Squeeze which focuses on the hardships for today’s working men and women.  The New York Times is serializing parts of Greenhouse’s book.  The April 20 Sunday Times had an extensive excerpt that focused on former FedEx Ground driver Jean Capobianco. QUOTE: After she recovered (from cancer), Jean started looking for work. She spotted a help-wanted ad from Roadway Package Systems, which said it was looking for independent contractors to deliver packages.  “I needed a job,” said Jean. “They tell you, ‘You’ll make all this money working for yourself.’ ” She soon discovered that her new employer had embraced a controversial strategy to squeeze down costs by millions of dollars each year: it insisted that Jean and the other drivers were independent contractors, not employees.
April 10 Mass. Ground/HD Drivers to Hold Meeting on April 13Following the denial of the Massachusetts misclassification case as a class action lawsuit, all MA past and present FedEx Ground and Home Delivery drivers wishing to pursue a misclassification claim MUST file an individual complaint against FedEx to protect your rights.  The lawyers representing the existing named plaintiffs are holding an informational meeting at 11:00 am on Sunday April 13, 2008 at the Hilton Garden Inn Worcester at 35 Worcester Center Blvd. in Worcester, MA.  The law firm directs questions to their web site at www.prle.com (click on the class action page and then click on FedEx lawsuits.) Neither the International Brotherhood of Teamsters nor any affiliated local union is a party to this litigation; this announcement is for information purposes only.