Teamsters solicit shareholders to oust Smith as FedEx chairmanMemphis Business Journal

This Comments (4)The International Brotherhood of Teamsters have petitioned FedEx Corp. shareholders to support the union’s proposal to remove Fred Smith as chairman of the Memphis-based shipping giant.

In a letter to FedEx (NYSE: FDX) shareholders, Teamsters officials said Smith was “incapable of providing rigorous, independent oversight” of the board because of his dual duties as CEO and chairman.

The Teamsters have been actively seeking to organize FedEx mechanics and FedEx Ground drivers.

FedEx Ground drivers are currently classified as independent contractors, a classification the union disputes.

In a statement to Memphis Business Journal in July, FedEx said its employees have, over the years, “repeatedly rejected third-party representation” and shown no desire for union representation.