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Local 135 Racks Up Four More Organizing Victories

Local 135 continues to set the bar when it comes to organizing.

Over the last 60 days, Local 135 has gained bargaining rights and/or won NLRB elections for four companies operating in Indiana.

The first big victory came when Southern Wine and Spirits was granted a liquor license to operate a warehouse and distribution facility in Indiana. Local 135 hit the ground running, and with the help and pressure of Western Region International Vice President Rome Aloise, the local was able to negotiate a neutrality agreement, card check and recognition agreement with the company.

Local 135 quickly gained the trust of the workforce and within three weeks of the company opening up, had over 80 percent of the unit signed up on cards. Last week, a neutral arbitrator declared that Local 135 had indeed demonstrated majority support and certified Local 135 as the bargaining representative for 80 warehouse and drivers at its Indianapolis distribution center.

“This is a big victory” said Brian R. Buhle, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 135 and Central Region International Vice President. “Local 135 has represented Olinger Distributing Company for the last 40 years, which had 35 percent of the market share in Indiana. With this victory, we have doubled our union density and market share in Indiana to 70 percent. That is huge.”

Negotiations began immediately. 

Other recent victories:

“The organizing staff at Local 135, Jeff Combs, Mike Gillespie and Rick Smith, deserve the credit for our success,” Buhle said. “We will organize them in large groups or one by one, and we will continue to grow this union.”