News
Organizing RoundUp
LOCAL 523
Coca-Cola
Justin Snow was born and raised in Oklahoma and has worked for Coca-Cola for the last four years. In his time with Coke, Snow said things gradually became unbearable. In late December, Snow and his coworkers voted to join Local 523.
“Management was firing people, changing schedules…something had to be done,” Snow said. “I had always heard the Teamsters was a good outfit. I know some ABF guys who really speak highly of the Teamsters Union.”
The warehouse that was organized is in Okmulgee, Okla. Gary Ketchum, President of Local 523 in Tulsa, said other unions had tried to organize the bargaining unit in the past but were unsuccessful.
“I wanted to take a shot at it because these workers needed a union,” Ketchum said. “What resonated with me during this campaign was how much they truly just wanted a voice on the job. They know they’re underpaid compared to other drivers in the company and their benefit package isn’t what it should be. They weren’t being treated fairly.”
LOCAL 637
Republic Services
Drivers, operators, mechanics, billing coordinators and scalehouse clerks who work for Republic Services at the Pine Grove Landfill in Amanda, Ohio, voted to join Local 637 recently.
The 16-worker unit reached out to the Teamsters Union seeking a strong voice to address their workplace concerns.
According to Bryce Anderson, a Republic driver and former member of Local 284 in Columbus, the most important issue for the workers was job security.
“I had been a Teamster before, and I knew the value of working under a union contract. After watching things decline at Republic the past two years, my co-workers and I decided it was time to win the safety and security of Teamster representation,” Anderson said.
LOCAL 326
Prince Minerals
Workers at Prince Minerals near the Port of Wilmington, Del. voted recently to join Local 326. There are 21 workers in the bargaining unit.
“The guys worked really hard to form their union over the past four months and we look forward to negotiating a strong first contract for them,” said Joe Smith, President of Local 326 in New Castle, Del.
“The workers are seeking fair wages, improved benefits, a voice on the job, fair work rules and they want to be treated with respect,” Smith said.
LOCAL 439
French Camp-McKinley Fire Protection District
A group of 17 firefighters and administrative assistants from a fire district near Stockton, Calif. have joined Local 439.
The battalion chiefs, captains, lieutenants, engineer lieutenants, firefighters and administrative assistants work for the French Camp-McKinley Fire Protection District.
The workers sought to join Local 439, and the local was recognized as representative by the state Public Employment Relations Board in late September.
“We will help negotiate a strong contract for these hardworking men and women,” said Ken Guertin, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 439 in Stockton. “As public employees, they deserve to know the community has their backs.”
LOCAL 313
First Student
In late 2016, drivers and monitors at First Student in Steilacoom, Wash. voted unanimously to join the Teamsters. The 21 drivers and monitors in the bargaining unit will become members of Local 313.
The workers filed for the union election with the National Labor Relations Board on Sept. 20, 2016 and the results were certified on Oct. 12, 2016. The drivers and monitors will immediately be entitled to reap the benefits of the existing, industry-leading, First Student National Master Agreement.
“Organizing is the lifeblood of our union and we’re thrilled to welcome these new members to the brotherhood,” said John Emrick, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 313.
LOCAL 1932
San Bernardino County Preschool Services
Preschool teachers, aides, custodians and support staff working in the San Bernardino County Preschool Services Department recently joined Local 1932. The local union filed for recognition on behalf of the 503 workers in November and San Bernardino County Human Resources recognized the Teamsters as having the majority on November 7.
“We look forward to having these dedicated school workers as part of Local 1932,” said Randy Korgan, General Manager/Secretary-Treasurer of Local 1932. “Our organizers have spent long hours with the workers to bring this unit, the largest public employee unit in the county not yet represented by the union, into our Teamster family.”
Toi Waddles, a preschool teacher at Fontana Citrus Head Start, said, “My mom has been in a union since I was one year old. I grew up seeing the difference the union made in our lives. I have told my co-workers that being part of the Teamsters will change our lives for the better.”
LOCAL 1205
New School
Financial aid advisors, student success advisors, lab supervisors, program administrators and IT support staff at the New School voted on Nov. 30 to join Local 1205. There are 123 members in the bargaining unit. Local 1205 in Farmingdale, N.Y., already represents a bargaining unit of approximately 130 members at the progressive university for designers, architects, activists, musicians and others.
“We had a big advantage going into this election because many of these workers had already been Teamsters,” said Dan DeCrotie, President of Local 1205. “They had worked in the bargaining unit we currently represent and knew we could help address some of the issues they’d been having with an expensive health care plan, safety concerns and forced overtime.”
“I’m so glad that the Teamsters will be growing their power at our workplace,” said Henry Drobbin, lead organizer for the campaign and an 11-year senior office administrator at the New School.