Con-way Freight remains union-free

A union election scheduled for Thursday at the LTL carrier’s Orlando, Fla. facility was cancelled just hours before the polls were due to open.    A union representation election scheduled for Thursday at Con-way Freight’s Orlando, Fla. facility was cancelled just hours before the polls were due to open, according to a statement from the LTL carrier.
   The Teamsters Union notified the National Labor Relations Board that it was withdrawing its petition for election. Unions often withdraw election petitions when they don’t believe they can secure enough votes to win.
   Con-way Freight, a nationwide less-than-truckload carrier with nearly 300 facilities, has been the target of numerous attempts by the Teamsters to unionize its drivers. 
   The Orlando withdrawal marks the seventh defeat for the Teamsters attempts to organize workers at Con-way Freight. The Teamsters were rejected in previous elections at Con-way Freight facilities in Bakersfield, Santa Fe Springs and San Fernando Valley, Calif.; Manchester, N.H.; and Harlingen, Texas. The Teamsters also previously withdrew a petition for a vote at Con-way Freight’s facility in Irvine, Calif, the company said.
   “I want to commend our employees in Orlando for their patience, perseverance and commitment to learning the facts about the Teamsters and what they were promising,” said Greg Lehmkuhl, president of Con-way Freight, in a statement. “We believe that the withdrawal of the petition reflects the realization by the Teamsters that our employees in Orlando understand the value of what they have today, and recognize the advantages and opportunities they have in being union-free.”