5 Local Unions in Western WA Representing Hundreds of Members Make Strike Preparations
(TUKWILA, WA) – Teamsters at Swire/Coca-Cola, represented by a coalition of five Local Unions across Western Washington, have voted by a 99% margin to authorize a strike. Members of Local Unions 38, 117, 174, 313, and 589 voted at their respective union halls on Saturday. With the decisive vote, the coalition sent a strong message that workers are prepared to strike if they can’t reach an agreement with the company by the time their contracts expire on May 15. A strike by the Teamsters would effectively shut down production and distribution of all Coca-Cola products to stores across Western Washington as early as Thursday.
“We’ve been consistent with Coke from the start. We need to see a fair contract offer by the time our contracts expire, otherwise there will be a problem,” said Paul Dascher, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 117 and one of the lead negotiators for the coalition. “Our members work hard and understand the value they bring to this company. This vote shows we won’t hesitate to take action if Coke tries to drag out the bargaining process or force us into accepting a substandard proposal.”
Negotiations between the union coalition and the company began on April 21, and the parties have spent two full weeks at the bargaining table. The coalition represents approximately 800 Swire/Coca-Cola employees in all Teamster-represented classifications, including drivers, production workers, merchandisers, mechanics, and sales representatives. Seniority rights, good working conditions, and core economics are some of the top priorities for the union. The coalition is demanding that workers receive family-supporting wages, retirement security, and affordable health care.
Chad Dumlao, a 17-year driver and Local 117 Shop Steward who serves on the union bargaining committee, wants the company to recognize the sacrifices he and his co-workers make when they come to work. “My body is breaking down with this job,” he said. “I work in downtown Seattle in a little 12 by 8 truck. I’m climbing up and down, into bays, grabbing stuff all the time. I’ve already had one hip replaced, and I’ve got to have the other hip done and eventually both knees. We sacrifice a lot and do our part – now the company needs to do theirs.”
Like Dumlao, 15-year production worker Tyson Baker, said Swire/Coca-Cola’s current health benefits are unsatisfactory. “My co-workers and I have faced health struggles,” said Baker, a Local 38 Shop Steward on the union committee. “When we seek our medications, we often encounter denial or are told to jump through hoops to find alternative ways to obtain them, especially since Swire began using its new pharmacy benefits manager, Smith RX. Swire needs to significantly improve its health and welfare benefits for its employees.”
The Teamsters coalition consists of 33 union staff and rank-and-file members, and it is negotiating seven contracts. The parties will be back at the bargaining table on Tuesday and Wednesday trying to reach an agreement before the contracts expire on Thursday.
“Swire has become infamous for nickel-and-diming our members at every contract negotiations, and the members have had enough,” said Rick Hicks, President of Joint Council 28, the regional labor organization that represents Teamsters across the Pacific Northwest. “This vote should serve as a warning to Swire to bring something meaningful to the bargaining table, because if that does not happen, our members will shut Swire down.”