Teamsters Seek to Organize Challenger

The Teamsters union launched a campaign to organize 1,500 workers at the Challenger Group, one of Canada's largest privately owned trucking companies.

In a statement, Teamsters Canada said it was responding to requests from Challenger employees. The trucking group operates Challenger Motor Freight, a truckload and less-than-truckload carrier, automotive hauler Elgin Motor Freight and refrigerated carrier Lodwick Transport. All three were targeted by the Teamsters.

Challenger also operates Motor City Express, a joint venture with James Group International dedicated to serving specific automotive manufacturers, and solid waste hauler Cam Hiltz Trucking.

The company has a strong relationship with its employees, founder and CEO Dan Einwechter told the Waterloo Record. "In my 35 years of being in business our drivers in particular are front and center in our decisions," he said.

Einwechter started the Cambridge, Ontario-based company with one truck while studying at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario.

Contact William B. Cassidy at wcassidy@joc.com.