News
Organizing Roundup
Local 87
XPO
A group of line and city drivers at XPO Logistics in Central California have voted by a nearly 3-1 margin to join Local 87, joining workers at other locations who are demanding fairness at one of the nation’s largest logistics companies. The election took place December 6.
“We are tired of the company’s empty promises, so we formed our union as Teamsters to have a strong voice on the job,” said Joel Garibay, a driver at XPO in Bakersfield.
“The company used a squad of its union busters to try to knock the workers down, but they remained strong and united,” said Joseph Sumlin, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 87 in Bakersfield.
The workers are seeking affordable health insurance, fair workloads, a safe workplace, an end to unfair discipline, fair treatment, adequate staffing levels and a voice on the job.
Local 856
Rainbow Community Center
Rainbow Community Center of Contra Costa County staff recently joined Local 856. Rainbow staff provide free and sliding-scale therapy for individuals, couples and families; HIV testing and counseling; support groups for the LGBTQ+ community; programming in public schools and more.
“We decided unionizing would help us in our vision to serve the LGBTQ+ community and strengthen our workplace, as well as create transparency and long-term stability for the organization,” said Rae Messer, an associate clinician at Rainbow.
After receiving notice of the employees’ desire to form a union, Rainbow Center’s board voluntarily recognized the staff’s choice.
“We’re happy the Board respected the workers’ right to form a union,” said Peter Finn, Local 856 Secretary-Treasurer.
Local 610
Abbott Ambulance
Sixty-eight dispatchers and call takers of Abbott Ambulance, an American Medical Response (AMR)-owned company, voted overwhelmingly to join Local 610. The vote was 45-to-13.
The workers do the dispatch for multiple Abbott locations throughout the Midwest. The workers’ concerns include ending favoritism, gaining fair pay and improved benefits, job security and ending the hostile work environment.
“Local 610 is honored to have the opportunity to represent these workers,” said Jeff Hall, President of Local 610.
Local 671
Dattco
Drivers employed by Dattco School Bus have voted to join Local 671 in Bloomfield, Conn. The drivers provide transportation services for students attending Windsor Public Schools.
“We are thrilled to welcome these workers into our union family,” said David A. Lucas, Local 671 Secretary-Treasurer.
Pam Dupre has been a school bus driver for seven years, and she served on the Dattco School Bus Organizing Committee. She had been a union member when she worked for the postal service, so she knew how important it was for her co-workers to vote yes.
Local 135
Caesars Casino
Caesars Casino workers at the Indiana Grand Racing & Casino in Shelbyville, Ind. have voted to unionize their facility, which is the closest casino to Indianapolis and one of the largest gaming establishments in the state.
The workers, depending on what their job entails, will become members of Teamsters Local 135, UNITE HERE Local 23 and IUOE Local 399.
“At a time when big business is trying to get working people to fight amongst one another so they can divide and conquer, we’re working with our allies and our allies are working with us to create a better future for all of our members, and for every working man and woman in Indiana,” said Danny L. Barton, President of Local 135.
Local 822
Sysco
By a nearly 3-1 margin, Sysco warehouse workers voted for Local 822 representation on Dec. 19, the fourth Teamster election win in the past several months at the nation’s largest broadline foodservice provider. Drivers at this same location won their election in late August. Sysco South Florida workers in Miami and workers at Sysco-Sygma Kansas City also won their election in August.
The latest group in Hampton Roads has 70 warehouse workers in the bargaining unit.
“It’s all about making our working conditions better,” said Derrick Scott, a 13-year employee. “All levels of management are unresponsive, and we’re tired of the mistreatment.”
“The workers remained strong, united and focused and didn’t listen to the company’s vicious lies,” said James Wright, President of Local 822 in Norfolk, Va.
Teamsters represent more than 10,000 workers at 53 of 84 Sysco and Sysco-Sygma distribution centers nationwide.