BNSF Railroad Laying off Fat Teamsters

By Chuck Sudo in News on Jan 11, 2011 8:22PM

Last week, an agreement between BNSF railroad and a subcontractor used to hire Teamsters union members as hostlers to load the double-stacked shipping containers between trains and trucks expired. in the weeks leading up to the expiration, BNSF had been laying off those employees hired by the subcontractor. Now that there's no agreement in place, BNSF is able to fill these positions directly. Teamsters workers have been invited to reapply for their jobs but are facing a litany of excuses for not being hired, including being overweight.

Per Chicago News Co-Op's Kari Leydersen, 30 Teamsters said that they would be re-hired if they shed weight. In some cases, the weight loss is at 100 pounds or more. Teamsters call this a "union-busting" tactic. Meanwhile, BNSF has contracted with Transportation Communications International Union to represent new hires. The laid off railworkers say that their weight gains are a result of their job, which often demand 12-hour shifts mostly spent in sedentary positions waiting for the containers to come in. Some Teamsters who have reapplied for their jobs have failed the railroad's physical fitness requirements, as well.