E
arly this morning, 250 drivers, mechanics and owner-operators who work for Selland Auto Transport went on strike over Selland’s “multiple violations of federal law meant to protect workers’ rights.”
The workers are picketing at 11 locations in Washington, Oregon, Montana, California, and Utah with picket signs that say “On Strike/Selland Doesn’t Deliver.”
Selland transports new automobiles across the western U.S. for Toyota, Honda, VW, Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Kia and others. Selland workers are represented by seven Teamster local unions (63, 174, 190, 222, 223, 315 and 690).
The workers voted to form their union in 2014, but have not yet been able to negotiate a contract with the company. The Teamsters have filed several Unfair Labor Practices with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging that Selland has threatened and interrogated employees, coerced employees and refused to bargain with their union.
“These workers have been loyal to Selland for years, and it is outrageous that the company is treating them this way,” said Kevin Moore, Director of the Teamsters Carhaul Division. “They just want to get to a fair contract that would provide respect for workers and labor peace for Selland’s customers, and as long as Selland’s current management continues to violate federal labor law, that will be difficult to achieve. We don’t want to strike, but we had no choice.”
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
