Indiana Toll Road workers vote to join Teamsters union

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Toll booth at exit 77 of the Indiana Toll Road

(WSBT file photo)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Dec 15, 2007 at 9:28 AM EDT

Story Updated: Dec 15, 2007 at 9:29 AM EDT

SOUTH BEND — Some 244 full-time and part-time toll collectors along the Indiana Toll Road will be represented by the Teamsters union.

The workers voted 108 to 103 on Friday in favor of representation by four Teamsters union locals, including South Bend-based Local 364.

“It shows you that when the employees have an issue they can stand together and achieve much,” said Bobby Dobbs, business agent for Teamsters Local 364.

The narrow victory is the first successful unionization effort for the Teamsters on the Toll Road. An attempt to unionize road maintenance workers in July failed by a vote of 62 to 42.

Friday’s vote affects only workers who collect fares along the 157-mile-long expressway.

The Teamsters now will begin collective bargaining with ITR Concession Co. LLC, a subsidiary of the Spanish and Australian consortium that signed a 75-year, $3.8 billion lease with the state to manage the road.

Monday, Dec 17 at 8:04 AM Mark wrote ...

As a Ohio Toll Collector We have done very well with the teamster representation working conditions will improve for the Toll Attendents with the Teamster Contract. The rates are going to go up any how have you not read the Newspapers?

Sunday, Dec 16 at 9:18 AM Marc wrote ...

For the last thirty years, the average worker in this country has seen his standard of living decline dramatically. Union membership has also declined. When we no longer have the right to join a union, perhaps then people will see the good they did.

Saturday, Dec 15 at 11:02 PM Rich wrote ...

Leasing the toll road will end up being one of many great things this adminstration has done to position our state for the future. It is the attitudes that are displayed on here that keep St. Joe County from attracting good companies and jobs...

Saturday, Dec 15 at 4:11 PM LG wrote ...

Sad Mitch did this to Indiana,and unions generally foul things up,but this time I hope this foreign bunch gets more than they bargained for.Go America! We used to be strong,we should be again.

Saturday, Dec 15 at 3:51 PM Max wrote ...

When are we all going to learn by the other countries where our good jobs go. Unions are worthless! They just drive prices up and companies shift jobs. Even the toll road is ran by a group of other countries.

Saturday, Dec 15 at 3:39 PM Joy wrote ...

People are concerned about the rate, they planned on raising them. The job of the collectors were to take your toll. The rates had nothing to do with it. Its the Company and the the lease that has everything to to do with it.

Saturday, Dec 15 at 10:12 AM Ed wrote ...

Oh goody there goes the rates. We can all thank worthless Mitch for leasing/selling it out. I do hope these employees have better representation for their money then those working where I did had with Teamsters 364. They where worthless.

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