Sysco-Denver Faces Midnight Teamster Contract Expiration, Statewide Labor Dispute

[ABFwife]

This happened at Midnight so I will watch for updates.

(DENVER) – Sysco-Denver's contract with 339 Teamsters Local 455 warehouse workers and drivers expires at midnight tonight, following 97 percent contract rejection and strike authorization votes by members on Sunday. Teamsters Local 455 members at Sysco-Denver service restaurants, schools, hospitals and other institutions across Colorado. Negotiations are scheduled to resume today.

Members rejected the company's contract proposal, in part, because it threatens the safety of workers and the commuting public by placing performance standards on drivers, said Steve Vairma, Teamsters Local 455 Secretary-Treasurer.

"This company has so far refused to address our very real safety concerns created by demanding drivers do more and do it faster in a state where our members and everyone on the roadways already face significant challenges," Vairma said. "Our members want a fair, reasonable and safe agreement that protects workers, customers and Coloradans."

Sysco also faces burgeoning disputes in Houston, San Francisco and Portland, OR, with near- and or unanimous contract or strike authorization votes at each over the past two weeks.

More than 300 Teamsters Local 988 members rejected an agreement at Sysco-Houston and are now working without a contract; another 338 Teamsters Local 853 members have authorized a strike in San Francisco as their contract expiration nears; and Teamsters Local 162 members rejected an agreement for more than 200 members in Portland, OR over the weekend.

https://teamster.org/news/2019/10/sy...-labor-dispute

[ABFwife]

Re: Sysco-Denver Faces Midnight Teamster Contract Expiration, Statewide Labor Dispute

Striking Teamsters Cause Food Distribution Headaches at Denver Restaurants

Finally an update!

Cooks, servers and restaurant managers get credit for putting food on your table every time you go out to eat, but all of that food comes from somewhere. Behind the scenes, warehouse workers and truck drivers make sure that raw ingredients make it from distributors to restaurant kitchens. When that link in the supply chain is broken, especially on short notice, restaurant owners are left scrambling for solutions.

That's what's happening all over Denver, as Teamsters Union members working at Sysco Denver went on an "unfair labor practice strike" starting at 6 p.m. Sunday, November 17, according to the Teamsters Local 455 website.

"Members rejected the company's contract proposal, in part, because it threatens the safety of workers and the commuting public by placing performance standards on drivers," said Steve Vairma, Teamsters Local 455 secretary-treasurer, in the release.

https://www.westword.com/restaurants...enver-11551055

[222lifer]

Re: Sysco-Denver Faces Midnight Teamster Contract Expiration, Statewide Labor Dispute

Sysco Denver employee strike has ended, union says

Union members said they didn't go on strike because of wages, but because of alleged unfair labor practices.

DENVER — Employees at the Sysco Denver warehouse will return to work after a 13-day strike, a representative for their union said Friday.

More than 330 employees went on strike earlier this month because of alleged unfair labor practices.

In a news release announcing the strike’s end, Teamsters Local 455 said members signed “their strongest-ever contract."

The release said:

“The five-year agreement includes improvements in wages, pension and health and welfare; includes recognition for and folds in 18 new maintenance members; protects members' picket line language; and provides strong, concrete protections for drivers as Sysco attempts to implement driver production requirements throughout its operations.”

https://www.9news.com/article/news/l...5-6e57e6b8be66

[ABFwife]

Re: Sysco-Denver Faces Midnight Teamster Contract Expiration, Statewide Labor Dispute

Another post on the Denver situation.

Teamsters Local 455 Members in Denver Ratify Contract at Sysco

Members of Teamsters Local 455 in Denver ratified their strongest contract ever on Friday, Nov. 29, on day 11 of a strike that shut down the company's food service operations throughout Colorado.

The five-year agreement includes improvements in wages, health, welfare and pension benefits; includes recognition for and folds in 18 new maintenance members; protects members and provides strong, concrete protections for drivers as Sysco attempts to implement driver production requirements throughout its operations.

The unit of 339 warehouse workers and drivers along with the maintenance workers, returned to work on November 29.

https://teamster.org/news/2019/12/te...contract-sysco