At this point in time, it would matter little to me if it was the International Ladies' Garment Workers Union that negotiated a contract for me! I've watched so many people get the proverbial shaft from FedEx over the past 10 years that all I want is someone, *anyone*, to stem this tide of oppression. Having said that, I feel that I would be remiss not to offer a sincere tip of my cap to the UAW. Their efforts in this David and Goliath struggle between workers and FedEx has been a portrait of incredible patience and unwavering perseverance!
The UAW got involved with FedEx employees back in 1991 in the Liberty District. Since that time, they have worked closely with employees, supplying everything from legal advise and GFT counseling to word processors and footing phone bills for employees who are networking with FedEx workers throughout the country. They have a case pending before the national NLRB which has been languishing in that sluggish bureaucracy for 4 years now! While that case is gathering cobwebs, the UAW has been far from idle. They've tenaciously built up a network of solid support in several areas of the country and were on the scene long before any other unions stepped up to bat for us.
At the core of the UAW's efforts is a FedEx employee who personifies the best in what all of us should aspire to where solidarity is concerned. He's Al Ferrier, a man the Philadelphia Inquirer called the FedEx employee's equivalent to a "911" emergency service! Despite his continuous struggle with cancer, Al has been a tireless champion of beleaguered FedEx employees, even going so far as to invite couriers to his hospital bedside for GFT counseling and paperwork assistance to help them do battle with FedEx management!
If you want to learn more about Al Ferrier and the UAW's struggles with FedEx, click here to read the massive article done by the Philadelphia Inquirer dated 5/7/95 in their Features section of the Sunday Inquirer Magazine insert.