Winning Streak Continues as Fourth Group of Print Industry Workers Choose Teamster Representation in Two Months

(LOS ANGELES) – Workers at Sonoco Products Company in Los Angeles have voted nearly unanimously, 52-2, for representation with the Teamsters, joining a growing national movement of print industry workers seeking strong union representation. 

“We are so happy to finally have representatives that will be working for the workers, not for themselves or the company,” said Gabriel Morán, a 20-year Tube Core Saw Tender at Sonoco. “We are grateful to finally have a real voice on the job. Thank you, Teamsters!”

Moran and his co-workers said they organized with the Teamsters to gain a strong voice on the job after years of poor representation with their former union. The 71-worker group seeks higher wages, better health care, and stronger retirement security.

“All of my brothers are Teamsters. They would always say good things about their representation and their pensions, pay, and affordable health care, so it was always frustrating to know that our union didn’t provide us with any of that. Learning about the separation of GCC/PPPWU and the real Teamsters explained everything. We never had a real voice or a real union,” said Valentino Cabrera, who has worked as a Class A Millwright at Sonoco for eight years. “This entire experience has been eye-opening, and we are are looking forward to a great future with the Teamsters.”

“I am thankful for this victory and grateful to our entire team of workers for standing together to win a real union voice. There is power in numbers and unity. Now that we’re Teamsters, I have faith that we will negotiate better contracts with the wages and health insurance we’ve long needed,” said Jonathan Cordova, a 26-year Mill Store Room Clerk at Sonoco. “I’m proud to say I’m a Teamster now.” 

Sonoco workers will join with print industry workers from across the country who recently voted to join the Teamsters, including more than 200 workers at Graphic Packaging in Chicago, 110 workers at WestRock in Salinas, Calif., and 60 workers at Southland Box in Vernon, Calif., who are also members of Local 572.

“We are thrilled to welcome our second group of print industry workers to Local 572 in under two months. These workers were eager to secure strong representation with the Teamsters to address years of workplace concerns,” said Lourdes Garcia, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 572. “Through unity and determination, Sonoco workers made their voices heard with this resounding vote to join the Teamsters.”

Founded in 1903, the Teamsters Union represents 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org to learn more and follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter
• Share via email