Carhaulers Secure NMATA Benefits, Pave Path for Hansen Adkins Workers

Carhaulers Secure Improved Standards Under NMATA

In an impactful move at General Motors' Fairfax Assembly plant in Kansas, carhaulers employed by Cassens Transport have opted to join Teamsters Local 41. With this decision, they are now covered by the National Master Automobile Transporters Agreement (NMATA), which is expected to bring significant improvements in various aspects of their work.

Avral Thompson, Director of the Teamsters Carhaul Division, highlighted the courage of these 10 drivers, stating, "These 10 drivers were the spearhead of something much bigger. We made clear that Fairfax workers deserved the same wages, benefits, and protections as every other carhauler covered by the national agreement. With the support of Joe Monslow, Mark Malicoat, Pamela Newport, Bret Rust, Troy Pike, and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, these drivers stayed united through more than a dozen bargaining sessions and never backed down.”

The path to this agreement began after GM transferred its Fairfax carhaul operations to nonunion carrier Hansen Adkins. Local 41 rallied the drivers, urging them to fight for the reinstatement of NMATA standards. Cassens Transport, awarded the GM contract earlier this year, began employing these drivers under NMATA as of June 8, 2026.

Bret Rust, one of the Fairfax carhaulers and a member of Local 41, expressed satisfaction, emphasizing the importance of returning to Teamster standards. Rust mentioned, “We knew what Teamster standards looked like, and we knew we deserved better. Now that we are under the national agreement, I know the wages, benefits, seniority rights, and other benefits I’ve earned as a carhauler are protected. Our victory shows every Hansen Adkins driver that you don’t have to accept lower standards.”

Teamsters Local 41, representing a diverse group of workers across the Kansas City region, provides further details on their initiatives at www.teamsters41.org.

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