We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
  • ::COVID-19 COVERAGE::
  • INDUSTRY PRESS ROOM
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • MEDIA FILE
  • Create Account
  • Sign In
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Newsletters
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC.
    • Podcast
    • Blogs
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Best Practices
      • Dispatches
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Logistics Problem Solving
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Public Sector Logistics
      • Two Sides of the Logistics Coin
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • MODEX 2020
    • Upload Your Video
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC.
    • Podcast
    • Blogs
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Best Practices
      • Dispatches
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Logistics Problem Solving
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Public Sector Logistics
      • Two Sides of the Logistics Coin
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • MODEX 2020
    • Upload Your Video
Home » XPO calls charges of pregnancy discrimination against warehouse employees "untrue"
newsworthy

XPO calls charges of pregnancy discrimination against warehouse employees "untrue"

October 23, 2018
Ben Ames
No Comments

Transportation and logistics provider XPO Logistics Inc. is pushing back against a published report that managers at one of its Memphis, Tenn., warehouses discriminated against pregnant employees, calling the allegation untrue and saying it was part of an effort by the Teamsters to organize a union at the facility.

The report alleged that several women had suffered miscarriages after supervisors denied their requests to be assigned to shifts with lightweight lifting or desk work, according to a story published Sunday in the New York Times. The alleged pregnancy discrimination occurred at a facility handling smartphones and tablet computers for Verizon that was acquired by XPO in 2014, and affected women who were forced to continue handling heavy boxes in stifling heat and long shifts, the story said.

Most women find it is safe to work while pregnant, and federal law does not require employers to accommodate pregnant workers, the article also said.

In response to the newspaper story, a spokesperson for Greenwich, Conn.-based XPOsaid the claims had never been reported to the company, calling themuntrue and saying that a company review had found the charges to be unsubstantiated and inaccurate."The truth is that we prioritize safety and respect in our diverse workplace above all else, and we have absolutely no tolerance for any type of discriminatory behavior. We deeply care about all of our employees, and work with our pregnant employees and their supervisors to adjust work assignments and schedules," the XPO spokesperson said.

XPO went on to say that the allegations were part of a political effort by union organizers. "These false allegations run counter to our values and do not reflect the way in which our Memphis facility operates. The misleading allegations directed at our Memphis facility are fueled by the Teamsters and are part of its ongoing, but unsuccessful, attempts at organizing XPO," the company spokesperson said.

The two organizations have a long history of discord, stretching back to XPO's 2015 acquisition of trucking fleet operator Con-Way Inc. That rancor has persisted, as teamsters have picketed conventions where XPO CEO Bradley S. Jacobs was speaking, XPO has disputed recent votes by labor to endorse teamster representation, and drivers have sued XPO for underpaying them.

In response to XPO's suggestion that the newspaper story was orchestrated by the Teamsters, the group issued a statement. "The dam has broken at XPO," James P. Hoffa, General President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, said in a release. "XPO must decide whether it will go down in history as an abuser of human rights and the basic health and safety of women or do right by the brave and powerful women who are coming forward to tell their stories and reveal the unconscionable truth about how the company treats its women workers."

Business Management & Finance
KEYWORDS Teamsters United XPO Logistics
  • Related Articles

    XPO offers free family health app for pregnant employees

    Unit of truckload carrier CRST sued over charges of condoning harassment of women drivers

    YRC Freight hits back at XPO suit, calls broad range of allegations "meritless"

  • Related Events

    Enabling Next-Day Delivery with Warehouse Automation

Benames
Ben Ames has spent 20 years as a journalist since starting out as a daily newspaper reporter in Pennsylvania in 1995. From 1999 forward, he has focused on business and technology reporting for a number of trade journals, beginning when he joined Design News and Modern Materials Handling magazines. Ames is author of the trail guide "Hiking Massachusetts" and is a graduate of the Columbia School of Journalism.

Recent Articles by Ben Ames

Amazon licenses walk-through store technology to retailers

Conveyor company fought time and weather to open new factory

Reimagining the TMS for the age of e-commerce

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Most Popular Articles

  • Relaxed regulations for drone parcel delivery to take effect in March

  • IBM survey says digitalization trends will sweep trucking industry by 2030

  • Gartner survey signals increased investment in resilience over the next two years

  • Increasing Urgency for Vaccine Supplies Drives Launch of New Vaccine Manufacturing Resources on Thomasnet.com

  • What Level of Automation is Right for Your Warehouse?

Now Playing on DCV-TV

D92f0dd1 a98c 434a 9e17 30b63ee72c90

Automated Pack-out and Print-Apply System for thredUP

DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
SilMan Industries designed and implemented a mixed polybag-carton system, including automated print and apply, in a new regional Fulfillment Center for thredUP, one of the world’s largest online resale platforms for women’s and kids’ apparel, shoes, and accessories. The Situation Secondhand clothing and online...

FEATURED WHITE PAPERS

  • Time to rethink your lift truck power

  • Warehouse Management System Project Toolkit

  • Solving Talent Management Challenges Now and In the Future

  • Shaping Up Last Mile Delivery to Surpass Customer Expectations

View More

Subscribe to DC Velocity Magazine

GET YOUR FREE SUBSCRIPTION
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • NEWSLETTERS
  • ADVERTISING
  • CUSTOMER CARE
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT
  • STAFF
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Copyright ©2021. All Rights ReservedDesign, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing