Drivers with MDV, the military division of Nash Finch in Midland, Ga., have voted to join Teamsters Local 528 in Atlanta. The 35 drivers deliver food products to military bases.

“I’m happy about our vote. We want respect in our workplace, better wages and health insurance. Our main fight is to get equality and fairness in the company,” said David Gaines, a driver.

The drivers put together an active committee and stuck together throughout their campaign to organize. They voted 22-12 in favor of Teamster representation.

In September, 130 drivers with MDV in Norfolk, Va., voted to join Local 822 in Norfolk. Arthur Padmore was one of those workers.

“I had worked with the drivers in Midland. I reached out and explained to them how we organized and we talked about our common issues. All of the issues we had in Virginia, they had the same, or worse, in Georgia,” Padmore said. “I told them if you want a voice, you have to vote union. You can complain about all the issues, but they will fall on deaf ears if you don’t have them addressed through representation from the Teamsters.”

“We welcome the workers at Nash Finch into Local 528. We’re going to work hard to get a good contract for the drivers,” said Don Toney, Local 528 President.

Nash Finch is the second largest publicly traded wholesale food distributor in the U.S., in terms of revenue, serving retail groceries and military commissaries, with annual sales of approximately $4.7 billion.

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