Uncategorized
Organizing Roundup
L O C A L 6 6 7
Waste Management
Drivers at Waste Management in Memphis, Tenn., have voted to join Local 667.
The 37-worker unit remained strong and united as the company waged a vicious anti-worker campaign. During the campaign, the workers were joined in support by students and campus workers at the University of Memphis, along with sanitation workers who participated in the historic 1968 strike.
“We are glad to have representation and we will continue fighting to win fair pay and improve conditions,” said driver Norman Williams, a 12-year employee at Waste Management. “Now that we have the Teamsters on our side, we can negotiate a contract with the company that will bring back the pay and benefits we need to provide for our families.”
In addition to improved pay and benefits, the workers are also seeking respect on the job and safer working conditions.
“Sanitation workers perform one of the most dangerous jobs in America, and they deserve the protections of a strong Teamster contract,” said Ronnie Parkinson, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 667. “Today’s victory was all about winning respect, fairness and a safe work environment.”
L O C A L 7 4 5
Exel, Darling International
Local 745 in Dallas recently won two organizing campaigns, with more than 20 workers on their way to more secure futures.
In the first victory, on October 7, workers at Exel, a distribution center in Socorro, Texas, voted 8-4 to join. There are 12 warehouse workers in the bargaining unit.
The Exel workers are seeking a fair seniority system, fair wages and respect on the job. The workers remained united despite a vicious anti-worker, anti-union campaign waged by the employer.
On October 9, workers at Darling International in Dallas, a grease recycling company, voted 6-2 to join. There are 10 maintenance and labor workers in the bargaining unit. The workers want similar issues addressed—seniority, wages and respect.
“These two victories, while far apart and at different companies, show that workers really need and want the protections that come with being Teamsters,” said Brent Taylor, Local 745 Secretary-Treasurer. “We will work hard to negotiate strong contracts for the workers at both companies.”
L O C A L 8 1 3
Allstate Power Vac
On November 9, employees at Allstate Power Vac in New York City voted by an overwhelming margin of nearly 98 percent to join Local 813 in an election supervised by the National Labor Relations Board. The 61 environmental waste removal workers are looking forward to improving their working conditions, including gaining fairness and respect from their employer.
“Today we can proudly say that we are Teamsters. We have not gotten the pay, benefits, or respect that we deserve, but that ends now,” said Ernesto Basilio, an Allstate Power Vac employee who helped lead the organizing effort. “Now that we have won our Teamster representation we are going to win the fair contract that our families need.”
According to Local 813 President Sean Campbell, the new members were determined and worked hard to gain Teamster representation.
“They did a great job,” Campbell said. “Thanks to the workers, our local, Joint Council 16 and the International Union coming together, the Teamsters will continue raising standards throughout the entire waste industry.”
The win marks the eighth organizing victory for the Teamsters Solid Waste, Recycling and Related Industries Division since August.
“Teamsters have the focus, strength and experience to improve pay, benefits, working conditions and labor-management relations at Allstate Power Vac,” said Ron Herrera, International Vice President and Director of the Teamsters Solid Waste, Recycling and Related Industries Division. Teamsters Joint Council 16 represents more than 120,000 working men and women in New York City.
L O C A L 2 9 9
Dollar Thrifty
Detroit shuttle drivers with Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, a subsidiary of Hertz Global Holdings, have voted to join the Teamsters. The 15 shuttle drivers transport passengers to and from the Detroit Metropolitan Airport and the rental car facility.
They united seeking respect and the protections of a union contract.
“We are excited to welcome these drivers to the Teamsters,” said Kevin Moore, International Trustee and President of Local 299 in Detroit. “They faced a tough campaign, but they stuck together to form their union, and we’re looking forward to getting to work on a contract that recognizes their hard work.”
According to Joint Council 43 organizer Marian Novak, the workers had to contend with union busters throughout their organizing campaign and attend mandatory company meetings.
“The recent change in election rules by the National Labor Relations Board meant that the election was 21 days, and that shortened the period of time that the workers had to be exposed to the union busters, which was a good thing,” Novak said.
L O C A L 7 4 5
Linde Gas
On November 4, workers at Linde Gas in Farmers Branch, Texas voted to join Local 745 in Dallas.
The drivers and warehouse workers voted 11-6 to become Teamsters. There are 17 workers in the bargaining unit. Linde manufactures and supplies industrial, specialty and medical gases and related equipment.
“These workers are seeking improved benefits and working conditions,” said Brent Taylor, Local 745 Secretary-Treasurer. “They stood united throughout the company’s anti-union campaign. We are very proud of these workers and look forward to negotiating a good contract for them.”