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Teamsters Local 986 Wins $4.2 Million Settlement for KAG West Employees

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(SOUTH EL MONTE, Calif.) – After fighting on behalf of workers for six years, Teamsters Local 986 has won a $4.2 million back-pay settlement for employees at KAG West in Southern California.

“This is a huge victory for the workers at KAG West who voted to join Local 986 in August 2010,” said Chris Griswold, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 986 in South El Monte, California. “Six years ago, the company unlawfully withheld pay raises for the union workers and they have been fighting for justice ever since. Local 986 and the workers never gave up the fight.”

Tankhaul drivers and mechanics at 17 terminals in Southern California voted to join Local 986. At the time, there were 368 workers in the bargaining unit. The $4.2 million settlement includes back pay, interest and payroll taxes, and will be paid to 426 current and former workers; 175 workers will receive back-pay awards in excess of $10,000 and the highest will be $24,541 plus $2,135 in interest. In addition, all current, active employees will receive a pay raise to take effect by August 29.

In June 2015, the National Labor Relations Board ruled that KAG West unlawfully withheld raises from union workers, saying the company’s actions supported a finding that it was motivated by anti-union hostility.

“I want to commend Local 986 for never giving up this fight for the wages owed to the KAG West workers,” said Keith Gleason, Director of the Teamsters Tankhaul Division. “This sends a strong message to KAG West and Kenan Advantage Group employees that they’re better off being represented by the Teamsters than being left at the mercy of this company.”

Local 986 officials vow to continue fighting to win a fair contract for the workers.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hard-working men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.