September 27, 2019

New Contract Covers About 1,300 Union Members

(WASHINGTON) – Workers at USF Reddaway in the Western United States have ratified a new contract that raises wages, protects health and welfare benefits, restores a week of vacation and provides other improvements.

Members voted over the past two weeks and the votes were counted today. The contract, which runs from April 1, 2019 through March 31, 2021, was ratified by a 77 percent to 23 percent margin.

“This contract merges what had previously been two separate contracts into a single regional contract,” said Bob Paffenroth, Western Region Freight Coordinator for the Teamsters National Freight Division.

“I want to thank Bob, the entire negotiating committee and our Reddaway members for their patience, help and support in making these negotiations a success,” said Ernie Soehl, Director of the Teamsters National Freight Division. The improvements include:

• Wage increases of $2.05 over two years for the vast majority of workers (a 10 percent increase for an average worker) including a $1 wage increase retroactive to April 1, 2019; line drivers will see more than 5 cents per mile over that time and workers in progression will receive the proportionate amount of those increases as well; significant increases for dock-only, clerical, maintenance employees, janitors and porters, including a $1 wage increase retroactive to April 1, 2019;
• Restoration of the week of vacation that was given up in 2015; and
• Protection of health and welfare benefits and numerous language improvements.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.