Grand Canyon Crowding

Bike Messengers Vote To Join Union

From a news story by
CNN San Francisco Reporter Kim Hunter

6/14/99

Bike Vote

With Killer climbs, road rash, saddle sores, and maverick maneuvers. All in a day's work for a San Francisco bike messenger. A day's work that typically pays about 200-500 dollars per week. With few if any employee benefits.

So messengers from Ultra Ex-couriers voted to join the International Longshore and Warehouse Union.

Manuel Affonso is a bike messenger in S.F., "I know people who are older who did this all their lives, 15-25 years, and now they're living in some motel on social security, and they really have nothing to show for it, no pension plan, nothing."

The Ultra Ex group includes twenty-nine bike messengers, four walking messengers and nine drivers. Organizers hope this is a first step toward a citywide messengers' union.

Notoriously individualistic, messengers are not known as joiners. The last time couriers were organized was more than a decade ago.

"It's taken us over a year to get our first company organized. And we're committed for the long haul." Says Jerry Martin of the International Longshore & Warehouse Union

But John Cowles owner of 'No B-S Couriers', doubts the city's more than two thousand messengers will join in. "I think there will have to be a significantly higher number of employee backing. I think you're going to have to get into the hundreds before the larger companies even consider it a major threat."

Cowles says he offers his employees medical benefits, vacation pay, and profit sharing. Still, one of his messengers told us the industry needs a union. "Overall, I think everyone will benefit from being together rather than separate on everything." Says Bryce Beastall.

The Ultra Ex owner declined an on camera interview but promised good faith bargaining. His messengers are gearing up for negotiations.

Manuel Affonso says, "It's really good to be able to do something for my fellow workers and make a change where we have a future to look forward to."

A future still filled with some potholes and pitfalls, but perhaps a better deal to cushion the ride.

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