Teamsters for YRC's regional operating unit New Penn, who rejected YRC Worldwide's new labor contract, will vote again on the changes on news of a possible merger of New Penn with YRC.


New Penn local unions requested the revote after hearing about the merger, which would cause the loss of hundreds of Teamster jobs, said Teamsters National Freight Director Tyson Johnson, in a letter to members.

According to the letter, while employees of YRC and Holland approved the agreement earlier this month, the Teamsters at New Penn voted against it. The new contract involves a 15 percent pay cut from the full National Master Freight Agreement, an 18-month termination in pension contributions and a reduction in health and welfare contributions.

Upon counting the ballots, YRC called for an emergency meeting with the Teamsters National Freight Industry Negotiating Committee, which took place on August 11. During the meeting, "the company indicated that it plans to call for a change of operations in the near future to merge New Penn into YRCW," the Teamsters letter said.

But YRCW officials, according to published reports, note that the New Penn bargaining units that did not yet ratify this labor agreement represent less than 10 percent of its Teamsters' employees. And there are no immediate plans to merge New Penn into YRCW, according to a YRC statement.

Earlier this month, YRC announced that New Penn is introducing a new and improved suite of guaranteed service offerings, including a new "guaranteed by 9 a.m." service.

New Penn members will vote again on the labor contract. Ballots will go out Aug. 19 and should be counted by Sept. 9.