(REDDING, Calif.) –– Drivers at Waste Management, Inc. in Redding, California voted unanimously to ratify their first contract. The Teamster members, who are represented by Local 137, obtained the contract after a year of negotiating, following a two-to-one election victory on August 28, 2016. There are 22 drivers in the bargaining unit.

“Individually, we as drivers had no voice with management to create positive change in our working conditions,” said driver Vincent Smith, a 27-year employee at Waste Management. “With the help of the Teamsters, we’ve won representation, ratified our first contract and will be seeing major steps forward in our working conditions.”

The workers will enter the Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Plan and will be able to obtain affordable Teamster health care. It also contains wage increases over the life of the contract and job protections.

“This is a great victory for these hardworking Teamsters,” said Dave Hawley, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 137. “There’s nothing better than delivering a first contract to a group of hardworking individuals and seeing how much good a union can do for their lives. I’m very grateful for all of the support we’ve received to get to this point.”

“Waste workers across the country are realizing that when they take the step to organize with the Teamsters, there is strength in a Teamster contract,” said Ron Herrera, Director of the Teamsters Solid Waste, Recycling and Related Industries Division. “These workers now have a more secure future because of their dedication and commitment to union power.”

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 on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.

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