Workers at SMG in Denver, Colorado secured a strong voice in the workplace today when they became the newest members of Local 17. The trade show employees voted unanimously, 20-0, to join the union on May 21. But the final vote count became official today after the employer’s challenge was dismissed.

“This victory was about workers’ rights and freedoms,” said Ed Bagwell, Recording Secretary and Business Agent for Local 17 in Denver, Colorado. “It shows the power of the Teamsters to organize in these tough times.”

The workers were motivated to join a union, but had trouble finding the right fit.

“We’ve been trying to get a union into our shop for awhile,” said Elmo Simmons a two-year employee at SMG. “We approached a few other unions and they blew us off. That all changed when we met with Local 17. Everything that Ed Bagwell promised he and the union would do – they did. We’re ecstatic to be Teamsters and are looking forward to a long, productive partnership.”

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