Workers Secure Agreement at the Final Hour After Threat of Strike

(TURLOCK, Calif.) — With more than 80 percent of workers voting in favor of the agreement, Teamsters Local 386 members at the California Dairies, Inc. Turlock South plant ratified their most recent contract with the company. The workers reached an agreement with the company less than one hour before they were scheduled to go on strike.

“Strikes are always the nuclear option, but these workers were ready to do whatever it took to get the contract that they deserved,” said Peter Finn, Teamsters Western Region International Vice President and Director of the Food Processing Division. “Congratulations to these men and women for standing strong and not caving to a bad deal. To the other big dairy companies out there, let this be a lesson to you that Teamsters don’t go down without a fight.”

At issue was the employer’s demand that the members agree to a contract that was nearly cost neutral. California Dairies was initially insisting that the workers accept an offer with no increase to their pension contributions and cuts to health care benefits in exchange for insufficient wage increases. The company increased its offer to an acceptable level prior to the work stoppage, thereby preventing both a detrimental economic impact to Central Valley communities and disruption in the food supply chain.

“We represent hundreds of workers at multiple locations operated by California Dairies, and if one plant walks off the job, they can all walk off the job,” said Bryan Ronngren, President of Local 386. “For all of the agricultural workers in California who don’t have a union yet – this is the power you can hold by joining the Teamsters.”

Teamsters 386 represents workers in a wide variety of industries throughout the Central Valley and Sierra Nevada regions of California. For more information, go to teamsters386.org.

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