January 12, 2020
Strike Avoided as Group of 11 Workers Agrees to Life-Changing New Agreement
After a tumultuous negotiating process that came dangerously close to a widespread DHL strike, a group of 11 clerical workers at DHL Seattle and SEA-BFI voted unanimously yesterday to ratify their first contract with Teamsters Local 174. The group voted unanimously to join Local 174 in August of 2019, and then voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike in December. Saturday morning, at a meeting attended by every single worker in the group, they voted to ratify their first-ever Union contract as members of Teamsters Local 174.
The new Agreement represents a major victory for the group. Not only will they be covered by the strong and mature contract language in the DHL National Master Agreement and Office Clerical Operational, but they also will see major increases in contract economics contained in the new Local 174 Clerical Rider Agreement. In addition to wage increases, the group will receive extra holidays and vacation weeks, among other improvements. In a historic and life-changing victory, the group was able to achieve Teamster pension and medical coverage. They will become part of the Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Fund, and will receive family medical coverage under a Teamster medical plan with no out-of-pocket premium costs – benefits they have never received before as DHL employees.
“This was a tough process, but we are extremely proud of our new members for winning this great Agreement through solidarity,” said Teamsters Local 174 Secretary-Treasurer Rick Hicks. “Even though this is a small group and a new group, they demonstrated that they weren’t afraid to take on their Employer, and as a result, they now get to enjoy an extremely strong contract – one that will continue to improve in the future.”
“We also want to extend our sincere thanks to the IBT Express Division and its Director, Eastern Region Vice President Bill Hamilton,” Hicks continued. “This victory was truly a nationwide team effort.”
“I am so happy with this contract, and even more than that, I am happy to be a Teamster,” said 25-year DHL clerical worker Barbara Conner, who served on the Bargaining Committee. “We had a front row seat to the power of worker solidarity. It was so empowering to realize that even though we are only 11 people, there were hundreds of DHL Teamsters ready to stand with us until we got a contract we could live with. And that’s exactly what we did. Without a doubt, this contract is going to change our lives.”
Negotiations for the DHL National Master Agreement and Office Clerical Operational Supplement will likely begin next year, as both contracts expire in April of 2022. The Local 174 Rider will also be renegotiated at that time.
Founded in 1909, Teamsters Local 174 represents 8,600 working men and women in the Seattle area. “Like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TeamstersLocal174.