Teamsters Protest Fiat/Chrysler's Attack on American Carhaul Jobs

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Teamsters Protest Fiat/Chrysler's Attack on American Carhaul Jobs Outside
Embassy of Italy



Call On Italian Government to Hold Company Responsible for Actions

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5
-- A delegation of labor
representatives and consumer protection advocates joined hundreds of
protesters outside the Embassy of Italy in Washington today to call on the
Italian government to hold Fiat/Chrysler accountable for waging an attack on
thousands of good-paying jobs in the U.S. carhaul industry by shifting work to
cut-rate, inexperienced companies to transport new vehicles.

Representatives from the Teamsters Union, the Australian Services Union and
Consumer Action delivered a letter from Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa
to Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and the presidents of the Italian Senate
and Chamber of Deputies. In the letter, Hoffa expressed concern that billions
in taxpayer dollars on both sides of the Atlantic are not being used to
establish a sustainable recovery at Fiat/Chrysler, and calls on the Italian
government to hold Fiat/Chrysler and its chief executive, Sergio Marchionne,
accountable for the company's actions.

"Fiat management is seeking to transform the auto transport industry from one
that provides stable jobs that support drivers and their families into a
cut-throat, low-cost, low-quality segment of its supply chain," Hoffa wrote.
"In the United States, Fiat/Chrysler has recently embarked on an effort that
transforms how automobiles are delivered to dealer showrooms. The results are
disturbing from the perspective of both business and consumers."

The delegation also gave embassy representatives a copy of the report "Damaged
When Delivered? How Bailed-Out Auto Giants are Ripping Off American
Consumers," a revealing look at the risks to vehicles and consumers when car
companies use cut-rate and inexperienced carhaul drivers to transport new
automobiles.

"Not only is Fiat/Chrysler attempting to destroy thousands of good jobs in the
carhaul industry, but they are contracting to brokers that hire improperly
trained workers. These inexperienced drivers are securing new vehicles in such
a manner that the automobiles are at risk of being damaged while being
transported to the dealerships," said Fred Zuckerman, Director of the
Teamsters Automobile Transporters Industry Division. "The consumer is not only
getting a product that is not in the same condition it was when it came of the
line, but may in fact be at risk of injury due to the damage inflicted on
these automobiles by inexperienced carhaul drivers."

Demonstrators at the protest expressed their solidarity with Fiat workers in
Italy, who are likewise fighting for their rights, pay and against mass
layoffs.

"I also want to express the Teamsters Union's solidarity in these trying times
with our brothers and sisters in Italy who work at Fiat and along its supply
chain," Hoffa wrote. "We share your concern for the 12,000 workers currently
laid-off at Fiat."

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4
million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto
Rico.



SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters