Yellow Freight Closure Causes Devastating Loss of 30,000 Union Trucking Jobs
Yellow Freight, one of the nation's largest trucking companies, recently closed down, leaving nearly 30,000 union truckers jobless. The closure comes after the company lost customers, leading to financial struggles. The Teamsters union, representing the drivers, had threatened to strike after Yellow missed a payment for workers' health benefits.
The company promised an $11-an-hour raise, but before they could fulfill their commitment, they shut down operations. Now, the union truckers, like Tracy Cullen, who had driven for Yellow for nearly 40 years, must search for new jobs, though finding another union position is unlikely. Tennessee, where the company was based, is a right-to-work state, making it harder for unions to gain members and support. While industry experts say skilled truckers are in high demand, they emphasize that union jobs will be challenging to secure, raising concerns about the future of unionized trucking in the state and across the country.
Sean O’Brien, Teamsters International president, is under fire from senior union members for agreeing to appear at the upcoming Republican national convention.