Last week, Teamster carhaulers ratified a new national agreement that the union says "secures a record level of employer contributions for health, welfare and pension benefits",

even as the industry is facing the worst slump in the automotive industry in decades.

The agreement was ratified by a 75 to 25 percent margin. An earlier agreement, which included several unpopular concessions to the carhaul companies, had been rejected by the membership in August. Among the concessions that were removed in the ratified agreement were lower wage rates for new employees. One concession that remained in the contract was a two-year wage freeze, with no wage increase or cost-of-living adjustment until 2010.

"This agreement addressed our members' priority of maintaining top-notch Teamster health, welfare and pension benefits, with no additional costs to members," said Fred Zuckerman, director of the Teamsters Carhaul Division. "The automobile and carhaul industries are facing devastating economic problems right now. The members have spoken and their vote on the contract shows that, with this contract, they are ready to weather the difficult economic times and conditions faced by the industry."

The National Master Automobile Transporters Agreement will run through May 31, 2011. About 8,100 union carhaulers are covered by the agreement. Three regional supplemental contracts were also ratified.

The agreement protects against new wage cuts that were proposed by the employers. While wages are frozen the first two years, there are wage increases the third year, and a cost-of-living adjustment the third year. The agreement also secures off-rail traffic that Teamsters don't currently handle. This will provide additional work opportunities for Teamster carhaulers.