Headline News

TW Service Lumpers Ratify First Contract

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(COVINA, Calif.) – Teamsters Local 63 announced today that more than 50 lumpers that work for TW Services at the Stater Bros. Markets in San Bernardino, Calif. ratified their first contract. The group, which handles the unloading of cargo at the Stater Bros. warehouse location, becomes one of the first lumper services units to organize with the Teamsters Union.

Historically, lumpers have worked more as independent contractors and not as employees of a direct employer. Companies like TW Services have sought to streamline the industry by hiring lumpers as employees and securing agreements with warehousing companies that require workers with this specific skill. The 50 lumpers work in concert with more than 1,000 Local 63 warehouse workers at the Stater Bros. Market location.

“When we organized this group nearly a year ago, we knew it was critical to secure a strong first contract with TW Services,” said Randy Cammack, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 63 in Covina, Calif. “This contract will go a long way toward establishing a new standard for lumpers across the country and demonstrate the power of union representation.”

In addition to strong wage and benefit gains, the contract includes strong immigration rights protections – a major concern for a unit that is comprised of many immigrant workers who may need to take time off to deal with challenges to their legal status.

“This contract ratification by our 50 members at TW Services is another critical step toward bringing representation to an industry that works hand-in-hand with our other members at warehouses across the country,” said Steve Vairma, International Vice President and Warehouse Division Director.

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