(BUFFALO) - Union Representatives and Members of three Buffalo-area Teamster Locals will join together to hand-bill outside the Buffalo Auto Show on Saturday in order to make the car-buying public aware of the use of non-Union carriers, whom the Teamsters say are not only being paid sub-standard wages, but in some cases are improperly securing and damaging vehicles in route and having damaged vehicles repaired without notifying automakers.

"We hope the general and car-buying public will listen to what we're telling them because they're not getting what they're paying for," Kenneth Nelligan, principal officer/secretary-treasurer/business agent for Teamsters Local 449 in Buffalo, told WNYLaborToday.com this afternoon. 

"(For example), Chrysler is trying to save some money by doing it cheaper, which ultimately comes at consumer expense," Nelligan said.  "What's been brought out publicly is that some vehicles are being damaged in transport and (contracted non-Union) drivers are taking them to body shops for repairs.  It's illegal and against the law in many states.  You have to disclose damage on a vehicle (before it's sold to a consumer).  Hopefully the public will support us after finding out exactly how some of these vehicles are being transported."

On Saturday, February 13^th from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Teamster-represented Car-Hauler's from Local 449 will hand-bill those heading into the Buffalo Auto Show at the Downtown Buffalo Convention Center.  In addition, Union Members from Teamster Locals 264 and 375 are also expected to take part, according to Teamsters Vice President/Business Agent Michael Gerviss.  "This is an issue that affects us not only our members as Teamsters, but for all car-buying consumers.  We believe it's important to know for anyone who has recently purchased or is planning to purchase a new vehicle in the near future - this affects you," Gerviss said.

Union Car-Haulers/Drivers have been conducting the same action at a number of auto shows across the country over the past several weeks, including those in Detroit, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Texas and Washington, D.C.  "We've had a lot of help from the United Auto Workers on this effort starting right from the Detroit Auto Show," the Teamsters' Nelligan said.

For example, in Houston, it was reported that Union-represented Car-Haulers/Drivers gave auto show attendees information that explained how Toyota - which has made a number of poor management decisions that have led to unsafe gas pedals and brakes, millions of recalls, thousands of accidents and 19 deaths - plans to close the NUMMI manufacturing plant in Fremont, California.  That could lead to the loss of as many as 50,000 jobs in a state that gave Toyota the most sales in the taxpayer-funded Cash for Clunkers Federal Bailout Program, and a state that's in dire financial condition, Union officials said.  

However, Nelligan says automakers Chevrolet and General Motors are leaning towards making a decision to go back to Union-represented Car-Haulers/Drivers, but Toyota is still talking about "going non-Union."

"This is about doing things right and saving jobs at the same time.  Teamsters 'care.'  It's our livelihood," Nelligan added.

Due to the fact the major automakers received Federal Bailout Assistance from Washington, and with the public and media spotlight now focused on what's transpiring behind the scenes when it comes to the way they've chosen to transport their vehicles, the Teamsters' Gerviss said it now appears Chrysler, GM and Toyota may be "starting to come around."