
Teamsters and the automaker, which maintains its U.S. offices in New Jersey, have differing versions of still-pending events related to the Ontario distribution center, where BMW Group is planning a reorganization.
Both sides confirm, however, that Teamsters' contract ends on Aug. 31 and that BMW will bring in a contractor to run the distribution center.
As of Tuesday, it was unclear whether any of the
Teamsters Local 495 represents 65 warehouse employees at the Ontario distribution center. The union has represented local BMW employees for some 40 years without a previous labor dispute, said Bob Lennox, the local's secretary-treasurer.center's facility would be able to be rehired at distribution center at pay and benefits levels similar to what they currently earn.Employees of the Ontario parts distribution center make $25 per hour and receive full health benefits, according to Teamsters.
But that changed, he said, during a June 3 meeting between BMW executives and Teamsters representatives.
Lennox and Gene Rivera, a business representative who attended the meeting, said they expected to the union would be negotiating a new contract and were surprised to learn of BMW's plans to terminate the company's business relationship with Teamsters.
"Just like that. Boom," Lennox said.
But whereas Teamsters representatives say BMW will replace the union's members with "unskilled, low wage employees," a BMW spokesman would not say specifically whether current employees would be able to re-apply for their jobs at comparable pay and benefit rates when the new operator takes over.
Questions of severance pay, rehire and similar issues are subject to pending negotiations, said Tom Kowaleski, BMW Group's vice president for corporate communications.
"We will work with the Teamsters on an orderly transition," Kowaleski said by telephone on Thursday. "Anything else will be the results of those discussions."
BMW Group has not yet selected a contractor to run the Ontario distribution center, Kowaleski said.
The fate of the distribution center's clerical workers and middle-management was not clear Tuesday.
Lennox said BMW Group executives informed Teamsters that the distribution center's non-union employees will also lose their jobs at the end of August, but Kowaleski said he did not have the first-hand knowledge necessary to confirm whether that was accurate.
The automaker's reorganization plans call for a "highly specialized" firm to run the Ontario center, Kowaleski said.
BMW Group also has contractors run parts distribution centers in Florida, Indiana, Illinois and Mississippi, he said.
That's some fkn shit from BMW that's y I try to teach my guys at ups freight to stick together and stick it to our boss and be teamster brother but it does not sink in there head
ReplyDeletewow what is BMW thinking ? that they can treat workers like trash ! lets get out there and show corp America we are not gonna stand by any more !!!! even if your not a union member you shuold be there supporting any and all workers who are gonna lose there jobs to greaty corp America
ReplyDeleteIn Germany the whole company is union, why would BMW disrespect the TEAMSTERS in Ontario like that!!! After the plant rally we should move the Rally to the BMW DEALERSHIPS and boycott BMW!!!!!
ReplyDeleteIll be there
ReplyDeleteJust another example of corporations flexing their muscle.
ReplyDeleteFlexing their muscle at workers expense. This is exactly what Big Business has been doing for far too long. Running over the working man! Their arrogance has grown to a level of disgust. Millions of good jobs lost overseas, millions more lost to temp services.
ReplyDeleteI am sick of companies and these radio personalities disrespecting works, enough is enough.
ReplyDeleteWow i just left the BMW warehouse workers rally in Ontario, every WORKER in AMERICA should take notice. TEAMSTERS appreciate what you have and be ready to fight for it.
ReplyDeleteWow!Just left the rally and it was good to see workers from all over showing their support.
ReplyDeleteBMW rally had a great turnout.
ReplyDeleteExcellent display of solidarity at today`s rally. It was great to see the workers standing together showing their strength. Their families showed their support at both the rally outside of the warehouse and the demonstration at the dealership.
ReplyDeleteI hope the momentum of today`s actions continue until these workers are treated with the respect they have earned, and ultimately save their jobs.
I had the oppurtunity to support teamsters local 495 today at the BMW wharehouse in Ontario and also at a BMW dealership. I couldn't beleive BMW intensions against their hard working loyal employees. I say loyal because they even buy their cars to help profits with the same company they work for. Instead BMW is preparing to terminate all 65 employees for their loyalty to them. Hire a temporary agency with 65 non union employees to do the same job for half the pay and no benefits. Even after receiving 3.6 billion dollars as bail out money from tax payers. We need to support these union members and their families in order to secure their future.
ReplyDeleteThis is not the first time for BMW. They did the same thing recently at their Vehicle Distribution Center in Oxnard, where all the BMW cars arrive for west coast dealers.
ReplyDeleteBasically fired all but a few of the career BMW employees and turned the operations over to a outside contractor. Employees had to re-apply for their old jobs, for less money and benefits.
one of the more expensive cars going with the cheaper labor? anthor case of the rich getting richer and the poor getting not a effin thing.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone remember when ford went with tires made by scabs about 5-10 years ago? The tires ended up speratating from the tread causeing ford suvs to roll over? Ford ended up with millions in law suits and recalls. Just goes to show you get what you pay for. If bmw doesn't care enough for there own employees, do you really think they car about the people who buy there cars? boycott bmw BUY AMERICAN
ReplyDeletemichael kors outlet online
ReplyDeleteseahawks jersey
michael kors outlet online
saics running shoes
cheap jordan shoes
gucci sale
cheap ray ban sunglasses
cheap oakley sunglasses
new york jets jerseys
fitflops shoes
adidas shoes
ReplyDeleteswarovski outlet
jordan shoes
michael kors outlet
nike shoes uk
tory burch outlet online
adidas uk store
ralph lauren outlet
tory burch outlet stores
puma shoes
qqqqqing20170520