February 10, 2020
Group of over 120 workers could call strike if negotiations for first contract continue to stall
At a boisterous and spirited Sunday morning meeting, MV Transportation employees in Seattle and Woodinville voted unanimously to authorize a strike against their employer yesterday. The group, who voted to join Teamsters Local 174 last summer, has been in stalled negotiations for their first contract with the provider of shuttle service for Amazon employees.
The high-energy group of drivers, ambassadors, road supervisors, utility workers, mechanics, and dispatchers were not shy about expressing their opinions on whether or not to authorize a strike. After they were updated on the progress of negotiations, the workers and their elected Bargaining Committee members reminded each other of the reasons they voted to become Teamsters in the first place: unfair wage scales, unaffordable medical plans, minimum wage driving jobs in the midst of a shortage of skilled drivers, and above all, a lack of respect in the workplace.
“This is the moment we’ve been preparing for. This is what it’s all been about,” said driver and Bargaining Committee member Michael Olhava. “We joined the most militant Union on purpose, because we wanted someone who would fight for us. Well, now it’s our turn to fight for ourselves – and we’re ready.”
“Nothing says ‘it’s time to take our demands seriously’ like a unanimous vote to authorize a strike, and that is exactly what these workers delivered,” said Teamsters Local 174 Secretary-Treasurer Rick Hicks. “MV Transportation has been stalling for time, blaming their contract negotiations with Amazon for the delay. These excuses have been going on for months, and our members are tired of hearing them. It’s time to get serious about reaching a fair contract that lifts these workers out of poverty and shows them the respect they deserve.”
“This whole situation is an embarrassment, and it is an embarrassment that needs to be rectified,” said Local 174 Director of Negotiations Patty Warren. “Amazon is the most valuable company in the world, owned by the richest man in the world, and their well-compensated employees are transported in luxurious shuttles driven by people living in poverty. The majority cannot afford company healthcare, which means their medical costs are being shifted onto the taxpayers. Amazon and MV Transportation, you can do better than this.”
Now that a strike has been authorized, Local 174 leadership has the ability to call a strike at any time.
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.