Teamsters
Cannabis Teamsters Win Strike at Cresco Labs
(WYOMISSING, Pa.) – After 20 days on strike, Teamsters Local 429 members at Sunnyside Dispensary have secured a new contract. Sunnyside is a subsidiary of Cresco Labs, a publicly-traded multi-state cannabis operator.
“Our members showed incredible unity and determination during this strike,” said Bill Shappell, President of Local 429. “They made it clear that fair wages, health care, and respect on the job are non-negotiable. This contract reflects their hard work and ensures a stronger, more secure future for everyone at Sunnyside.”
The contract includes major wage increases, improved health care benefits, guaranteed gratuities, protection from unjust discipline or termination, enhanced job security for part-time employees, and additional paid time off.
“The dedication and solidarity of Local 429 members throughout this strike shows the power of organized labor,” said Jesse Case, Director of the Teamsters Food Processing Division. “These workers are setting a standard for the cannabis industry and demonstrating that collective action produces real results.”
“We’ve made a real change to our workplace with this contract win,” said Cobi Motley, a wellness advisor at Sunnyside and Local 429 member. “For the first time, I feel like we are respected and our future is secure. This contract proves that standing together works.”
Teamsters Local 429 represents workers across several industries throughout northeastern Pennsylvania. For more information, go to teamsters429.com.
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First Student Teamsters Authorize Strike
(WASHINGTON) – Teamsters school bus workers at First Student yards across the country voted by an 88 percent margin to authorize a strike should the company fail to negotiate a fair contract. With an expiration date of March 31, the National Master Agreement covers over 17,000 members represented by 96 Teamsters locals.
“The Teamsters Union has been consistently raising the standards within the school bus industry for decades, and this contract will be no different,” said Matt Taibi, Director of the Teamsters Passenger Transportation Division. “These essential workers deserve nothing less than a contract that reflects the devotion and skill they put into their jobs every day. First Student is trying to cut costs by refusing to offer health care or retirement benefits to all of our members and we will not stand for it.”
First Student is the largest private school bus company in the United States. The outstanding issues in negotiations include retirement security, health care, minimum standards for guaranteed hours, and paid time off. The Teamsters have been forced to file an unfair labor practice charge against First Student related to the negotiations.
“This strike authorization goes to show we are willing to do what it takes to get the agreement we deserve,” said Jean Auguste, bus worker and member of Teamsters Local 251. “These are not difficult asks — we are fighting for a contract that provides basic benefits many bus workers across the country have. We don’t want to strike, but we will if the company doesn’t come to terms on a fair agreement.”
Despite the parties having bargaining scheduled for March 30 and 31, First Student has effectively canceled those negotiations to pursue frivolous litigation.
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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Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits Workers in Florida Join Teamsters
(TAMPA, Fla.) – More than 25 workers at Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits in Lakeland, Fla., have overwhelmingly voted to join Teamsters Local 79. The sanitation, inventory control, salvage, and day yard trailer jockeys organized for increased wages, improved benefits, and job protections.“Congratulations to these workers on becoming Teamsters,” said Jeff Padellaro, Director of the Teamsters Brewery, Bakery, and Soft Drink Conference. “They saw the Teamsters difference when their colleagues ratified their contract and knew they deserved the same. We look forward to supporting them as they negotiate a fair first contract.”
“These workers know that through collective action comes a stronger voice,” said Brian A. Rothman, President of Local 79. “They were inspired by what the warehouse was able to gain and want the same respect for themselves. We are with them every step of the way as they negotiate a better future at the bargaining table.”
These workers join their 270 warehouse colleagues at the Lakeland facility who joined Local 79 in December 2024 and ratified their first collective bargaining agreement in July 2025.
“We saw what the folks in the warehouse were able to gain through Teamsters representation and wanted that for ourselves,” Curtis McCoy, a steward at Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. “Joining the Teamsters gives us the power to fight for better wages and a better life for our families.”
Teamsters Local 79 has been representing members and negotiating contracts in southwest Florida since 1936. Local 79 represents about 40 companies, at nearly 100 different locations. For more information go to teamsterslocal79.org.
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Minnesota Teamsters Win Strike at AMPI Dairy
(PAYNESVILLE, Minn.) – Members of Teamsters Local 471 at AMPI Dairy in Paynesville, Minn., have overwhelmingly ratified a strong first contract after being forced to strike over fair wages, benefits, and job protections.
“AMPI workers stood strong to win this strike and ratify their first contract. They secured significant wage increases and language that protects standards if the company is sold or changes ownership, as well as the ability to move into a Teamsters health insurance plan which will significantly reduce costs to members,” said Lyndon Johnson, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 471. “The employer had pushed these workers around for far too long, and they had enough. They will now have a voice in the workplace backed by the strongest union in the world.”
The three-year agreement includes a 14 percent wage increase over the life of the contract, retroactive pay going back to March 2025 when the bargaining unit was certified, coverage under Teamsters health care, and strong successorship language ensuring that workers’ jobs and union rights are protected if the facility is sold or ownership changes.
“After years without protections or a voice on the job, this contract changes everything,” said Heidi Barg, an 18‑year lab technician at AMPI Dairy. “With fair pay, health care, and strong job protections, we finally have the security to plan for our future. We stood together, didn’t back down, and won big.”
Teamsters Local 471 represents workers across Minnesota across industries, including dairy processing, warehousing, and distribution. For more information, go to local471.com.
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UPS Admits Driver Buyouts Violate Teamsters Contract in Central Region
(WASHINGTON) – United Parcel Service (UPS) notified the International Brotherhood of Teamsters on Tuesday that it was withdrawing its latest driver buyout scheme in Central Region states after nearly 37 local unions filed grievances against the parcel giant for shamelessly violating the UPS Teamsters contract. This action will greatly undermine the company’s illegal pursuit of buyouts in other regions under the National Master Agreement.
The Teamsters Central Region encompasses 13 states from Nebraska to Ohio and is home to more than 68,000 rank-and-file Teamsters working at UPS. The latest buyout, which the company calls the Driver Choice Program (DCP), had asked drivers to accept a one-time lump sum payment in exchange for legally committing to never work for UPS again, to waive their rights to union representation, and to sacrifice a career’s worth of strong union wages, employer-paid health care, and guaranteed retirement benefits.
“By pulling out of more than a dozen states, UPS has conceded that its buyout programs are illegal. They are scams designed to fuel corporate greed. These programs violate the Teamsters contract and UPS knows it,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “The Teamsters strongly urge UPS to take the next right step and dismantle its Driver Choice Program across the country. If UPS fails to do right by the men and women who deliver its packages and generate its billions in profit, the Teamsters will pursue our grievances nationwide and defeat UPS in arbitration. We are prepared to do whatever it takes to protect our members’ rights.”
In court filings earlier this year on the illegality of the DCP, the Teamsters detailed at least six violations of its National Master Agreement by UPS in the rollout of the buyout program, including direct dealing of new contracts with workers, elimination of union jobs when UPS contractually agreed to establish more positions, and erosion of the rights and privileges of union shop stewards.
These violations have been cited in grievances against UPS filed by rank-and-file Teamsters since the DCP was rolled out last month. The union has also pointed to contract language in the UPS Teamsters Central Region Supplement — one of 44 regional supplements to the UPS Teamsters National Master Agreement — that restricts UPS from directly offering incentive programs that are not voted on and approved by employees and the union.
Until this week, the DCP was being directly offered to all drivers at UPS regardless of length of service and outside of negotiations with the union, irreparably damaging the Teamsters’ right to representation. The letter of separation that workers would be forced to sign by management to complete enrollment in the program would be irrevocable, further damaging the union or any individual worker’s ability to grieve or arbitrate the terms of separation.
The scope of UPS’s latest buyout scheme is much broader than the payoff presented to workers last summer, when UPS marketed payouts to more tenured drivers nearing retirement. The earlier program, which UPS called the Driver Voluntary Separation Program (DVSP), was widely rejected by Teamsters nationwide, many of whom took to social media to shred and set fire to the insulting financial package offered by UPS to leave the company.
While recent payoffs dangled in front of workers have been larger, the DVSP and DCP programs are unmistakably similar. Grievances over contract violations inherent in the DVSP program are expected to be heard before an arbitrator in May.
“UPS’s actions to walk away from its own buyout program is an admission of guilt, plain and simple,” said Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer Fred Zuckerman. “UPS wants to offload as many well-paid drivers as possible to boost its corporate earnings. The executives currently running UPS have no regard for the health, well-being, or future financial security of their workforce. The Teamsters are here not just fighting UPS to do the right thing but fighting for a better quality of life for the hardworking people who move America.”
UPS CEO Carol Tomé was paid at least $23 million in 2025, outearning average UPS employees by a pay ratio of 345-to-1. While UPS Teamsters have been offered insulting payoffs to walk away from the company twice in the last year, UPS awarded $38 million bonuses to senior managers in May to stay with the company, reporting at the time that awards of up to $1 million each were necessary to “retain and motivate [UPS’s] management team during a critical transition time.”
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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Smurfit Westrock Teamsters Launch ULP Strike in Massachusetts
(WAKEFIELD, Mass.) – Teamsters at Smurfit Westrock in Wakefield, Mass., launched an unfair labor practice (ULP) strike after the company failed to negotiate a new agreement in a timely manner. The 60 members of Teamsters Local 3 are demanding fair wages, affordable health care, and no cuts to retirement contributions. The current contract expired March 23.
“Smurfit Westrock is the worst kind of corporate bully, spending millions of dollars for executive compensation and golden-parachute buyouts but nothing for the workers who built and maintain this company,” said Steve Sullivan, President of Local 3. “Teamsters will not back down in this fight and will remain on the picket line 24/7 until this greedy employer comes to their senses.”
Teamsters produce pizza boxes for national brands like Dominos and Papa Johns. Smurfit Westrock is one of the world’s largest paper packaging companies, raking in $21.1 billion in revenue last year alone.
“I’ve been at this company for decades and the more money they make, the more they take from us,” said Pedro Ramos, a 35-year worker at Smurfit Westrock. “This company doesn’t respect workers. We are demanding that management return to the bargaining table and get serious about negotiating a fair contract.”
Teamsters Local 3 represents 400 printing and packaging workers in the greater Boston area.
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Wisconsin Teamsters at B&G Foods Authorize Strike
(STOUGHTON, Wis.) – Members of Teamsters Local 120 at B&G Foods in Stoughton, Wis., have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike, as they fight for fair wages, affordable health care, and improved working conditions at an understaffed facility.
The Stoughton plant is vital to B&G Foods’ operations, producing household-name products including Cream of Wheat, Skinnygirl Salad Dressing, and Ortega Taco Sauce.
“B&G Foods is taking advantage of a workforce that keeps its Stoughton operation running,” said Shaun Mullikin, business agent with Teamsters Local 120. “Meanwhile, workers are dealing with long hours and rising costs, while the company refuses to make basic improvements. Fair pay, decent health care, and reasonable hours shouldn’t be a fight — but right now, they are.”
In addition to wages and working conditions, workers are also seeking stronger contract language to protect their future. This includes “successorship” language, which would require any new owner of the facility to honor the existing union contract if the company is sold. Members are also seeking protections around automation to ensure that new technology is not introduced to eliminate jobs.
“We’ve given so much to this company, and all we’re asking for is fairness and stability,” said Traci Gosda, Chief Steward at B&G Foods and member of Local 120. “We shouldn’t have to choose between our health, our families, and our jobs. We’re standing together to make sure this is a place where people can build a decent life, and not just get by.”
Teamsters Local 120 proudly represents over 15,000 workers in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, and South Dakota. For more information, go to local120.org.
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Colorado Teamsters Demand Statewide Referendum on Driverless Trucks
(DENVER) – Colorado Teamsters rallied at the state capitol today calling on lawmakers to pass House Bill 26-1286. The legislation would allow Coloradans to vote on a referendum requiring human operators in commercial autonomous vehicles (AVs) weighing over 26,000 pounds. It will be the first-ever statewide ballot question regarding AV regulations in the nation.
“The Rocky Mountain region is already difficult to navigate, and putting fully autonomous, multi-ton trucks on the road would be disastrous to public safety,” said Nate McCarty, a member of Teamsters Local 455 and driver for ABF Freight. “In addition to putting motorists in harm’s way, these trucks threaten the livelihoods of thousands of drivers, their families, and communities.”
Polling in multiple states and nationwide consistently shows voters are overwhelmingly opposed to sharing roads with fully driverless vehicles. Bipartisan legislation requiring human operators in commercial vehicles passed the Colorado General Assembly overwhelmingly last year, but Gov. Jared Polis sided with Big Tech companies over his own constituents and vetoed it.
“A decision this important can’t be made behind closed doors, with Big Tech companies calling all the shots,” said Dean Modecker, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 455. “Coloradans want technology that improves our lives instead of creating new risks, and that’s why we deserve a say as to whether we want unsupervised AVs in our communities.”
In addition to Colorado, Teamsters are advocating for common sense AV guardrails in California, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Virginia, and Washington.
Teamsters Local 455 represents over 10,000 workers throughout Colorado. For more information, go to teamsterslocal455.org.
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Teamsters at AMPI Dairy Launch ULP Strike
(PAYNESVILLE, Minn.) – After nearly a year of negotiations, Teamsters Local 471 members at Associated Milk Producers Incorporated (AMPI) Dairy have been forced out on strike over the company’s unfair labor practices (ULPs). AMPI has refused to take negotiations seriously or present a fair, comprehensive proposal to the workers. The processing and shipping facility is critical for supplying cheese throughout the Midwest.
“AMPI has had more than enough time to do right by these workers, but instead they’ve dragged their feet,” said Lyndon Johnson, Secretary-Treasurer and Principal Officer of Local 471. “Our members are united in demanding the wages, health care, and job protections they deserve. We’re prepared to stay out as long as it takes to ensure we get a fair contract.”
Despite Teamsters working for over a year without a raise, AMPI has refused to offer a meaningful wage increase that keeps up with the rising cost of living. The company has rejected proposals that would give workers more flexibility and stability in their health care coverage and has failed to agree to basic employment protections, including a guarantee that if the facility is sold or ownership changes, workers would be able to keep their jobs and union contract.
“When I started at AMPI 18 years ago, this was a place where people built successful careers in a small town to support their families. Too many now see it as just a job, and that has been tough for me to watch,” said Heidi Barg, an 18-year lab technician at AMPI Dairy. “We’re not asking for anything unreasonable. We just want to be fairly compensated and treated with the respect our years of hard work and dedication have earned.”
Teamsters Local 471 represents workers across Minnesota across industries, including dairy processing, warehousing, and distribution. For more information, go to local471.com.
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Teamsters Organize Third IKEA Location in North America
(JOLIET, Ill.) – More than 190 workers at IKEA’s distribution center in Joliet, Ill., have voted overwhelmingly to join Teamsters Local 179. The win marks the third successful Teamsters organizing effort at the company in North America, signaling growing momentum to unionize the world’s largest furniture retailer.
“We work hard every day to keep this operation running, and we deserve respect and a say in our workplace. We knew the Teamsters could give us that voice,” said Kathy Kasher, an IKEA worker and new member of Local 179. “We have long needed better pay, better benefits, and a better future for our families. We are going to go for all those things and more when we negotiate a powerful Teamsters contract.”
Workers at the Joliet distribution center play a critical role in moving furniture and home goods across the Midwest and throughout the company’s supply chain. IKEA reported more than $1.7 billion in net profits last year.
“We look forward to providing IKEA workers with the tough representation they deserve,” said Chris Richter, President of Local 179. “I want to congratulate our newest members and stand ready to fight for better wages, benefits, and working conditions.”
“IKEA workers chose to become Teamsters because they wanted a union that delivers real results when it comes to representing members and securing strong contracts,” said Tom Erickson, Director of the Teamsters Warehouse Division. “We are committed to helping these new members get the protections they deserve and will be ready to take on this company with the full backing of the International Union.”
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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