Teamsters
NLRB Demands Republic Services/Browning-Ferris Bargain with Teamsters Local 350
(OAKLAND, Calif.) – The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has ended a lengthy joint employer dispute between the multibillion-dollar waste giant Republic Services and Teamsters Local 350, ruling in the union’s favor.
Over a decade ago, 200 workers at Republic Services — at the time doing business as Browning Ferris — voted to join Local 350. Republic claimed the workers were employed by a third-party staffing agency, Leadpoint Business Services, and refused repeated demands to recognize the group’s union. The NLRB ruling definitively mandates that Republic must negotiate with Local 350 as the unit’s bargaining representative.
“This win is a major milestone that will be remembered for decades as one of our union’s many contributions to the collective fight for workers’ rights. And it only happened because of the unity and resilience of these workers — who are finally, officially Teamsters,” said Robert Sandoval, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 350. “Teamsters always say one day longer is one day stronger. This unit exemplified that, never losing sight of victory.”
Corporations often resist being labeled as a “joint employer” as a form of union busting. They do this to dodge their responsibility to bargain with workers by using “third-party” companies to fill positions. Republic employed this tactic at the Milpitas, Calif., facility despite maintaining total operational control over the workplace.
“Republic Services is one of the nastiest companies in America. They blew hundreds of thousands of dollars and dragged out this fight as long as possible, all in a failed attempt to deny workers their rights,” said Victor Mineros, Director of the Teamsters Solid Waste and Recycling Division. “We are grateful to the NLRB for forcing this multibillion-dollar corporation to comply with the law. The Teamsters look forward to providing these workers the strong representation and support they want and deserve as they bargain their first contract.”
The final ruling is the culmination of hard work by dozens of labor leaders — including Robert Morales, former Secretary-Treasurer of Local 350 — to ensure workers are recognized by companies when they form a union.
Teamsters Local 350 represents members in the public sector and solid waste, recycling, and linen industries, and in San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and San Benito Counties. For more information, please visit teamsters350.com.
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Teamsters Condemn Abigail Spanberger’s Veto of Collective Bargaining Bill
(WASHINGTON) – The Teamsters Union strongly condemns Governor Abigail Spanberger for vetoing legislation that would have established and protected collective bargaining rights for public sector workers across the Commonwealth of Virginia.
The legislation would have given state and local employees across Virginia the ability to collectively negotiate better wages, benefits, and working conditions. Gov. Spanberger’s veto is an upsetting setback for thousands of workers at a time when Virginia families are living with persistent inflation and rising costs for food, housing, and other basic necessities.
“Working people deserve representatives who will stand with them as they fight for a better future,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “The Teamsters will work with any Democrat, Republican, or Independent who is serious about protecting workers’ rights and defending collective bargaining. Unfortunately, Gov. Spanberger’s depressing actions in Virginia are an urgent reminder that unions and engaged citizens who care about labor rights must collectively demand more of our elected officials. We must never assume that lawmakers affiliated with any one political party are committed to standing with workers. We must build bipartisan coalitions that actually want to get something done for working Americans and have the backbone to do it.”
Throughout the legislative process, members of the Virginia General Assembly worked closely with the Teamsters and other unions to move this bill forward and defend the rights of public employees. The Teamsters thank the Virginia lawmakers who stood with workers, supported this important legislation, and recognized that collective bargaining is not a political bargaining chip, but a fundamental right that helps working families build stronger lives.
The Teamsters will continue the fight to secure collective bargaining rights for every public sector worker across Virginia.
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.
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Amid Fight to Become Teamsters, UnityPoint Nurses Meet with Lawmakers
(DES MOINES, Iowa) – This week, nurses at UnityPoint Health in Des Moines, Iowa, met with State Senator Zach Wahls (D-43rd District), Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and current Iowa State Auditor and gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand to discuss issues facing nurses in Iowa including union-busting, corporate greed, unsafe staffing, and rural community access to health care. These roundtable discussions come after nurses voted to organize with Teamsters Local 90 but have yet to have their election certified due to objections from their employer.
“These workers have fought too hard to be ignored,” said Alano De La Rosa, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 90. “This week’s roundtable discussions dove into the very reasons nurses at UnityPoint voted to organize in the first place — safe staffing, fair pay, and better working conditions that both nurses and patients deserve. We will not let time break us and we appreciate Zach Wahls, Elizabeth Warren, and Rob Sand for standing with nurses and demanding the justice they deserve.”
In 2025, nurses at UnityPoint Health joined the Teamsters in order to fight for safety and fair treatment for both patients and staff, defeating a multimillion-dollar union-busting campaign.
“UnityPoint Health continues to prioritize financial gains over investments in safe staffing, worker retention, and patient care,” said Deb Henning, a registered nurse at UnityPoint Health. “We have been exploited for our compassion and dedication to our patients for long enough. Meeting with leaders to discuss issues Iowa nurses face is important but what’s more important is for UnityPoint to do the right thing. Stop the delays, recognize our union, and start negotiating our contract.”
Teamsters Local 90 represents workers in a wide variety of industries throughout Iowa. For more information, go to teamsterslocal90.org.
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Rhode Island Tankhaulers Join Teamsters
(NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I.) – A group of 33 workers employed by RelaDyne Transportation have voted to join Teamsters Local 251. They organized with the Teamsters to secure higher wages, improved benefits, and a stronger voice on the job, despite the company’s aggressive union-busting efforts.
“We’re proud to welcome these determined new members to the Teamsters. Our organizing team knocked it out of the park,” said Matt Taibi, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 251 and Teamsters Eastern Region International Vice President. “They stood together, stayed strong, and won the representation they deserve.”
The newly organized bargaining unit includes drivers, warehouse workers, maintenance technicians, equipment supervisors, dispatchers, and control specialists who serve customers throughout New England. They deliver diesel exhaust fuel, lubricants, coolants, oils, and other fuel-related products.
“Workers in the tankhaul industry want to join the Teamsters because we get things done,” said Juan Campos, Director of the Teamsters Tankhaul Division. “This is yet another RelaDyne group to have organized this year, and we’re going to continue building strength throughout this company and the industry.”
“I’m proud to be a Teamster. I got goosebumps as soon as I heard we won our election,” said Bill Sweeney, a 40-year driver and new member of Local 251. “But the job isn’t done yet. We’re ready to get to the bargaining table and determined to win a strong first contract.” 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.
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Teamsters Union Endorses Connected Vehicle Security Act
(WASHINGTON) – The Teamsters are urging lawmakers to support the Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026, introduced by Senators Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) and Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.). The legislation would ban vehicles connected to outside networks if they are manufactured by China or other foreign adversaries, including driverless cars and trucks.
“Make no mistake – China is aggressively trying to enter the American market so it can undercut American workers, eliminate good union jobs, and weaken our manufacturing base,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “We cannot allow any technology that could be used for surveillance or data collection by a foreign adversary onto our roads or into our workplaces.”
In addition to banning connected vehicles, the legislation would prohibit their related components, empower the Department of Commerce to identify high-risk technologies, and establish enforcement mechanisms to keep them out of domestic markets.
“Our elected officials can’t sit by while this threat grows,” O’Brien said. “We commend Senators Moreno and Slotkin for taking decisive action before it is too late. We urge lawmakers in both parties to pass the Connected Vehicle Security Act.”
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.
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Teamsters at Beverage Market in West Virginia Launch Unfair Labor Practice Strike
(CHARLESTON, W. Va.) – A group of nearly 50 workers at the Beverage Market in Charleston W. Va., have been forced to strike over the company’s bad faith bargaining. The members of Teamsters Local 175 are fighting for a fair contract without concessions.
“The Beverage Market has been playing games with our members, and they will no longer stand for it,” said Jeff Padellaro, Director of the Teamsters Brewery, Bakery, and Soft Drink Conference. “These workers make this company the success that it is and deserve a contract that honors their worth. We will continue to support this group and urge the Beverage Market to come to the table and negotiate a fair deal.”
The drivers, helpers, and warehouse workers overwhelmingly authorized a strike earlier this month. The Beverage Market services over 1,900 customers statewide and is the sole distributor for Miller-Coors products in several counties throughout West Virginia.
“It’s disturbing that Miller would allow this distributor’s disgusting behavior to negatively impact its market share in West Virginia,” said Luke Farley, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 175. “This company has treated these negotiations like a joke and their unreasonable concessionary demands show a fundamental lack of respect for these members and their families.”
“This job is how I have provided for my family for 17 years,” said Ken Samms, a shop steward and driver at the Beverage Market. “I want to retire from this place, but management is trying to take that away. My fellow Teamsters and I don’t want to strike, but the company’s aggressive corporate greed has given us no choice. We will continue to fight to keep and secure our hard-earned benefits.”
Teamsters Local 175 represents thousands of members in the great states of West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio and Virginia. For more information, go to teamsters175.org.
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Breakthru Beverage Workers in St. Louis Launch ULP Strike
(ST. LOUIS) – More than 100 drivers and warehouse workers have walked off the job and launched an unfair labor practice (ULP) strike at Breakthru Beverage in St. Louis. The members of Teamster Locals 600 and 688 are demanding the company come to the table to negotiate a fair contract without illegal regressive proposals and surface bargaining.
“This company has been dragging their feet and refusing to put a fair agreement on the table,” said Jeff Padellaro, Director of the Teamsters Brewery, Bakery, and Soft Drink Conference. “Our members don’t want to strike, but Breakthru has given them no choice. Teamsters nationwide are on alert and ready to support their brothers and sisters in St. Louis and Cicero.”
Like their Breakthru brothers and sisters in Cicero, Ill., management is demanding that members waive their lawful right to not cross or work behind a Teamsters picket line at their work location. The union will never agree to a contract that fails to include this critical protection.
“Our members are united because they know their worth,” said Chris Tongay, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 688. “These workers show up every single day and help drive this company’s success. They deserve fair wages, strong protections, and a contract that reflects the standards Teamsters have fought to build. We will support our members for as long as it takes.”
“It is clear management at Breakthru realizes how strong Teamsters solidarity is at facilities around the country,” said John Kelting, President of Local 600. “They are trying everything to delay negotiations and get workers to agree to waive their legal rights. We will remain on the picket line until management agrees to a fair deal.”
Local 600 drivers organized in September 2025 and are fighting for a fair first contract.
“We’re standing shoulder to shoulder for a strong agreement,” said Travis Radetic, chief shop steward and a receiving clerk at Breakthru. “A strong deal is nothing without picket line protection to defend members. We are demanding the company give us what we deserve.”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.
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Drivers at Flowers Foods Ratify First Contract
(MODESTO, Calif.) – Workers at Flowers Foods in Modesto, Calif., have voted to ratify a strong first agreement, becoming the first group to organize and win a union contract at the company nationwide. The 12 members of Teamsters Local 948 secured increased wages, Teamsters health care, and retirement benefits.
“This is a vital win for workers at bakery giants like Flowers Foods,” said Tim Parolini, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 948. “The leadership and dedication of the workers delivered results at the bargaining table that will build the foundation for good wages, safety on the job, health care, and retirement benefits for every unit that organizes in the bakery division across the Teamsters Union.”
Flowers Foods is the second largest bakery producer and marketer of packaged bakery foods in the United States. Some of the bakery giant’s brands include Wonder, Nature’s Own, Dave’s Killer Bread, Simple Mills, Butternut, and Great Grains.
“This is a great first win at Flowers Foods. With the support of the Teamsters Brewery, Bakery, and Soft Drink Conference and our organizer Mike Pratt, we are looking forward to carrying the momentum of this contract ratification forward to organize other depots across Joint Council 7,” said Chris Zent, a business agent with Local 948.
“The strength of Teamsters solidarity on our side was critical,” said Steve Fernandez, a shop steward and member of Local 948. “This is a pivotal moment for thousands of Flowers workers across the country. When workers are unified, we win.”
Teamsters Local 948 represents thousands of workers across Tulare, Kings, Fresno, Merced, and Stanislaus Counties across various industries, including cannery and food processing.
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Pepsi-Cola Workers in Georgia Join Teamsters
(JONESBORO, Ga.) – Over 30 workers at the Pepsi facility in Stonecrest, Ga., have voted to join Teamsters Local 528. The sales representatives organized for fair wages, stronger workplace protections, and respect.
“We are proud to welcome these new members to the Teamsters,” said Jeff Padellaro, Director of the Teamsters Brewery, Bakery, and Soft Drink Conference. “This win follows a string of organizing wins at Pepsi facilities in Georgia. These workers are a determined group, and they know they deserve more than they are currently getting.”
“This strong and dedicated group remained focused and were not willing to be deterred from their goal of becoming Teamsters. We have great momentum at this company and look forward to supporting this group as they fight for a fair first contract,” said Donnie Newell, a Business Agent with Local 528.
After the workers marched on the boss to express their desire to form a union, the company tried to step in and asked for a year to make improvements. The workers were not fooled by the offer and remained committed to forcing real change at their workplace.
“We felt that we couldn’t put our trust in the company, so we came together as a team to help everyone understand the benefits of joining the union,” said Alfred Kitchens, a 29-year sales representative at Pepsi. “We couldn’t be happier that we were able to work not only as coworkers but now as family to win this election. We are excited to go on to fight for a strong Teamster contract.”
Local 528 represents thousands of working men and women throughout the state of Georgia. For more information, please visit teamsterslocal528.org.
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Breakthru Beverage Teamsters in Illinois Launch ULP Strike
(MOKENA, Ill.) – Over 115 drivers at Breakthru Beverage in Cicero, Ill., have been forced to strike over the company’s unfair labor practices (ULP). The members of Teamsters Local 710 are fighting to stop the company’s unlawful behavior.
Additionally, management is demanding that members waive their lawful right to not cross or work behind a Teamsters picket line at their work location. An agreement without this language would diminish bargaining strength and is a non-starter for the union.
“Breakthru has been interrogating our members and failing to negotiate an acceptable agreement,” said Jeff Padellaro, Director of the Teamsters Brewery, Bakery, and Soft Drink Conference. “Protection of rights language gives our members the right to honor strikes without the fear of being disciplined. We will never agree to a contract that doesn’t include this critical protection.”
“This company is trying to manipulate our members into accepting concessions when all they had to do was treat workers with respect and dignity,” said Del Schaefer, President of Local 710. “Breakthru management must listen to us at the table, or they will continue to hear our voices loud and clear on the streets.”
“Management has been trying all of their tricks to get us to give up our legal protections,” said Brian Hill, a steward and 22-year driver at Breakthru Beverage. “Members see through these tactics and have had enough. We are ready to show how strong Teamsters solidarity is by fighting for a fair contract and our right to honor picket lines.”
Teamsters Local 710 represents thousands of workers from a range of industries throughout Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa. For more information, go to Teamsters710.com.
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