Have these states done any thing about the teamsters union FORCING and CHARGING independents outrages union dues just to work and with out any union benefits, other then allowing them to work, now that is where they should be doing some thing about work ethics.
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By Jonathan Stempel – Tue Oct 20
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Three U.S. states said on Tuesday they plan to sue FedEx Corp, accusing the second-largest U.S. package delivery company of violating labor laws by illegally classifying drivers as independent contractors rather than employees to save money.
The attorneys general of New York, New Jersey and Montana intend to begin litigation against FedEx Ground Package System Inc after October 27, saying the unit of Memphis, Tennessee-based FedEx has caused a “serious injustice” to more than 1,000 drivers in the three states.
According to a letter to FedEx Ground released by New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, the misclassification causes the drivers to be deprived of workers’ compensation coverage and the protection of state anti-discrimination and labor laws.
The states said this occurs though FedEx subjects the drivers to strict work rules, down to the colors of their socks, and to thousands of dollars of expenses to buy or lease trucks and use company uniforms and scanners.
In addition, the states said FedEx’s actions deprive them of tax payments and result in unfair competition.
“By blatantly misclassifying its drivers, FedEx Ground has denied these individuals the employment rights they are guaranteed by law,” Cuomo said in a statement.
Anne Milgram and Steve Bullock, the attorneys general of New Jersey and Montana, joined Cuomo in the litigation threat.
In a statement, FedEx said it plans to continue talks with the attorneys general about the matter, but will “vigorously defend the right of FedEx Ground independent contractors to own and operate their businesses” if a lawsuit is filed.
The company has long battled critics including the Teamsters labor union and has faced some lawsuits over its worker classification practices. It has said FedEx Ground drivers can run their own businesses as they wish.
FedEx Ground is based in Moon Township, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh.
The states said they intend to seek restitution, damages and civil penalties. They gave FedEx until October 27 to show why a lawsuit should not be filed.
FedEx shares rose $1.59, or 2 percent, to $81.58 on the New York Stock Exchange after hitting $81.83 — the highest level since September 2008.
(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel; Additional reporting by Aarthi Sivaraman in Seattle; Editing by Richard Chang)
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