News
Butte County Workers Join Teamsters
Public services workers in Butte County, Calif., joined Local 137 in Redding, Calif. Workers in the social services and general services units, more than 1,000 people, voted to join the union in December. The new members sought a union because conditions at their jobs were going steadily downhill.
“Our health care costs were spiraling out of control. Our premiums had spiked and the additional expenses were hurting myself and my family financially. The Teamsters will work hard at the bargaining table to win the benefits we deserve,” said Debbie Chamberlain, a 10-year Social Services Aide at Butte County.
“I am so happy we are joining the Teamsters today,” Chamberlain said.
Teamster Strength
“With this win in Butte County, we now have over 41,000 public services members represented by the Teamsters in California alone,” said Jim Hoffa, Teamsters General President.
“In county and city administrations, as well as institutions of higher learning and medical centers, Teamster strength continues to grow while bringing the power of our 1.4 million members to improving the lives of hardworking men and women,” Hoffa said.
The new members from Butte County chose Local 137 because of their years of experience negotiating excellent contracts for large groups of public workers.
“We’re really excited to work with this group,” said Dave Hawley, President of Local 137. “These workers chose the Teamsters because they know we’ll fight tooth and nail for better wages and increased benefits. We’ll be responsive to their concerns in the workplace and will negotiate to clarify on-the-job work rules.”
Butte County workers serve the public throughout the county. They provide essential public health services and maintain critical public infrastructure.