February 24, 2021

Agreement will provide security for workers through uncertain times

Like so many other companies, Cedar Grove Composting has seen challenging times due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as the closing of restaurants is having a major impact on Cedar Grove’s business. It was against this backdrop of difficulty and uncertainty that Teamsters Local 174 and Cedar Grove management came together to negotiate a successor Agreement to cover the 70 workers who are proud members of Teamsters Local 174. The result was a three-year contract that will provide security for the workers while also demonstrating a strong spirit of cooperation between Union and Company.

The contract is undoubtedly a victory for the members at Cedar Grove, as it protects them on the job with stronger language surrounding seniority, vacation, and sick leave. It also provides for continued Union healthcare coverage with no out-of-pocket payments, pension increases, and wage increases that will allow Cedar Grove to attract and retain workers. Just as importantly, the Agreement stands as a commitment between Teamsters 174 and Cedar Grove to work together to reshape the composting industry, which unlike the sanitation and waste industry, is largely unregulated – making it rife for abuse by unscrupulous nonunion employers.

“It often seems that the relationship between company management and the workers’ union is purely adversarial, but this Agreement demonstrates that the relationship does not have to be that way,” said Teamsters Local 174 Secretary-Treasurer Rick Hicks. “Union and Company need to be in partnership to an extent – adversarial at times, but cooperative at other times. Cedar Grove showed a commitment to investing in our members’ futures and livelihoods, and in return, we will invest our efforts in keeping this company a strong competitor for the foreseeable future. This contract is a major victory for both sides, and we look forward to seeing what can be accomplished over the next three years as this industry rebuilds from the devastation of this pandemic.”

Founded in 1909, Teamsters Local 174 represents 8,600 working men and women in Seattle and the surrounding areas. “Like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TeamstersLocal174.