Firm faces union drive

Wednesday, July 24, 2002 | 11:25 a.m.

Teamsters Local 631 of Las Vegas filed an election request last week with the National Labor Relations Board to represent 15 full-time and part-time drivers and baggage handlers in the Las Vegas office of Los Angeles-based Golden State Transportation.

The Teamsters began picketing last week at Golden State's office at 2055 Las Vegas Blvd. as part of an organizing drive targeting several hundred Golden State workers in Los Angeles, El Paso, Texas, Tucson, Ariz., and Tijuana, Mexico.

"A lot of their trucks aren't inspected properly and many of these vehicles have been stopped by the Highway Patrol in California and in the Las Vegas area for safety violations," Ray Isner, Teamsters 631's director for organizing, said.

"The drivers get paid only $80 a trip. They don't get overtime and many are working seven days a week. They have no benefits, no medical plan and no retirement benefits," he said.

Golden State officials could not be reached for comment.