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(LIBERTY, Mo.) – Dozens of Transportation Operations Management (TOM) Team drivers at Amazon’s MCI9 facility have joined Teamsters Local 41, becoming the second group of semi-truck and tractor-trailer drivers at the company to organize with the Teamsters. “TOM Team drivers are just as important to Amazon’s operation as warehouse workers and last-mile drivers. That’s why this company is trying everything it can to stop our momentum,” said Randy Korgan, Director of the Teamsters Amazon Division. “But Amazon can’t stop workers who come together to demand respect. No matter where or how big a facility is, Teamsters will be there to fight alongside the workers responsible for making Amazon the world’s wealthiest retailer.” “Local 41 is ecstatic to welcome MCI9 drivers,” said Joseph Monslow, President of Local 41. “Amazon is the biggest threat to working-class prosperity out there, and Local 41 looks forward to our new brothers and sisters winning their first union contract.” Amazon TOM Team drivers transport freight across Amazon properties and facilities before last-mile deliveries. Amazon Teamsters at MCI9 are fighting for better pay, respect from management, and an end to Amazon’s arbitrary process of implementing policies and work rules that constantly change. “Amazon will randomly change our work policies and then unfairly discipline us without warning,” said Glenn Watford, a new member of Local 41 from MCI9. “No worker should have their livelihood threatened because management failed to do its job. The only way we can protect ourselves and force Amazon to treat us with respect is with a Teamsters contract.” MCI9 Amazon Teamsters join CDL drivers at the SDF9 facility in Shepherdsville, Ky., and over 10,000 Amazon Teamsters nationwide in the fight to unionize Amazon. Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents over 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on X @Teamsters and on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters. ### The post Amazon TOM Team Drivers from MCI9 Facility Join Teamsters appeared first on International Brotherhood of Teamsters.Continue reading→

(WASHINGTON) – With bipartisan support, the U.S. House of Representatives today passed the Faster Labor Contracts Act (FLCA), a Teamsters-led bill that could become the strongest new labor legislation for American workers in generations. Just three weeks prior, the discharge petition filed by Congressman Donald Norcross (D-NJ, 1st District) received the 218 signatures needed to force a vote on the landmark law that would hold employers accountable for delaying first union contracts. “The Faster Labor Contracts Act is the most consequential labor bill to come before Congress in decades. Its bipartisan passage out of the House of Representatives is a significant milestone for millions of American workers,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “The 1.3-million member Teamsters Union has worked tirelessly to build a coalition of Democrats, Republicans, and Independents who are committed to improving the lives of working people. Millions of workers at Amazon and other major companies who are fed up with being overworked, underpaid, and undervalued are organizing their unions today in record numbers. We can no longer tolerate a broken system that allows corporations to corruptly drag out negotiations and shirk their legal obligations to bargain fair first union contracts. The FLCA has a real shot to right generations of wrongs and level the playing field for workers. The Teamsters are eager for the Senate to take up this urgent legislation and ensure it lands on the President’s desk.” The FLCA would amend the National Labor Relations Act to require employers to bargain with newly organized workers within 10 days of voting to form their union. Establishing a reasonable timeline for all parties to negotiate in good faith, the legislation provides a path to mediation if no agreement is reached within 90 days and a referral to arbitration to ensure first contracts can be fairly resolved. The Senate version of the bill, introduced last year by Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), continues to gain strong bipartisan support. “The Teamsters Union is grateful to all members of the U.S. House who had the courage to stand with workers, to put aside partisan politics, and to advance this legislation,” said Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer Fred Zuckerman. “Right now, hardworking Americans are forced to wait 458 days on average for their employers to stop playing games, get to the table, and negotiate first union contracts. With the full support of the Teamsters Union, the FLCA will put an end to this corporate corruption and give workers the opportunity they deserve to lead better lives and rebuild the American middle class. The Teamsters thank Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D, NY-08) and House Republicans and Democrats who did the right thing to bring this important bill to the floor. The Senate must schedule its own markup and pass the FLCA as soon as possible.” Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on X @Teamsters and on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters. The post Teamsters-Led Faster Labor Contracts Act Passes U.S. House With Bipartisan Support appeared first on International Brotherhood of Teamsters.Continue reading→

(BARRY, Ill.) – Members of Teamsters Local 916 at Ascend Wellness in Barry, Ill., have voted by a 92 percent margin to authorize a strike as they fight for their first contract. The workers cultivate, process, package, and distribute cannabis products for one of the nation’s largest multistate cannabis operators. “After more than a year at the bargaining table, our members have had enough of this company’s delay tactics,” said JP Fyans, President of Teamsters Local 916. “Ascend’s executives have no problem paying union-busting attorneys to drag out negotiations, but when workers demand a fair contract, they suddenly claim they can’t afford it.” Workers are seeking fair wages, affordable health care, and strong workplace protections. Multiple unfair labor practice (ULP) charges have been filed against Ascend, including a charge that a bargaining committee member was targeted for union activity. “Cannabis workers at Ascend are fighting for the stability and respect that should come with any good job,” said Jesse Case, Director of the Teamsters Food Processing Division. “The Teamsters are committed to helping our members build long-term careers at this company. We will not allow Ascend’s reckless conduct to continue.” “Ascend brings in millions of dollars every year off of our backs,” said Shane Wilmer, an Ascend cultivator and member of Local 916. “This company can afford to give us the contract we deserve. We are ready to do whatever necessary to get a fair contract, and we are not afraid to strike if that’s what it takes.” Teamsters Local 916 represents more than 4,000 workers throughout the state of Illinois from Chicago to Carbondale and East Saint Louis to Champaign. For more information, visit teamsters916.org. ### The post Teamsters Authorize Strike at Ascend Wellness appeared first on International Brotherhood of Teamsters.Continue reading→

(BAKERSFIELD, Calif.) – A group of 243 workers at Panama-Buena Vista Union School District, represented by Teamsters Local 87, have voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new agreement with the K-8 public school district which serves the Bakersfield community across 25 schools. “This strong agreement is vital for me, my colleagues, and our students across the district,” said Joseph Diaz, a maintenance department worker and chief shop steward. “When negotiations began, we knew that we needed to remain united to get what we deserve and ensure we can continue to show up for our students when they need us most. Improved wages and health care benefits mean our departments can remain fully staffed to make sure students have access to a good public education.” The new agreement includes a one-time $1,000 bonus for all full-time workers, pro-rated payment for part-time workers in the bargaining unit, and strengthened health care language with a no-cost employee premium included in the base health care plan. Workers in the unit span dozens of job classifications across several departments throughout the district. “This agreement reflects important protections and improvements for every member. The dedication and unity shown by our stewards and members at Panama-Buena Vista Union School District throughout negotiations brought this strong contract across the finish line,” said John Moralez, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 87. Teamsters Local 87 proudly represents workers in a wide variety of industries throughout Bakersfield, California. For more information, go to teamsterslocal87.org. The post Panama-Buena Vista Union School District Teamsters Ratify Strong Contract appeared first on International Brotherhood of Teamsters.Continue reading→