Press Releases
Savage Services Workers Join Teamsters
(MELVINDALE, Mich.) – Drivers working for Savage Services Supply Chain Management in the Detroit area have voted to join Teamsters Local 283.
The 16 drivers transport raw coke, a material used for petroleum processing. This is the second win at Savage Services; the drivers join Local 283 members at the company’s refinery.
The drivers prevailed despite encountering tremendous opposition from Savage Services, with the company using management ride-alongs, captive audience meetings and even bringing in staff from out of state in attempts to get workers to vote no.
“We are pleased to welcome Savage Services workers to the Teamsters and look forward to representing these newest members,” said Greg Nowak, President of Joint Council 43. “I want to congratulate these workers and everyone who helped on the campaign for this great victory.”
“These workers stood united, and we’re going to work hard to get a strong contract at Savage,” said Mike Finegan, Local 283 Business Agent.
Greg Anderson is a driver who’s been with Savage Services since April of last year. Anderson grew up in a Teamster family, and when he found out some of his coworkers weren’t familiar with the benefits of union membership, he was happy to fill them in.
“I talked to Mike Finegan and [organizer] Marian Novak, they enlightened me on some things, and I brought that information back to the job,” Anderson said. “I like the brotherhood. It’s fair, it’s a family.”
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.