March 20, 2019
Agreement rewrites and improves vast sections of contract covering 18 Bunzl drivers
Earlier this month, a group of 18 Teamsters Local 174 members working at Bunzl unanimously ratified a new 5-year agreement with their employer. These drivers are responsible for delivering Bunzl products – including paper products, cleaning supplies, food storage products – to various businesses throughout Washington State.
The new agreement not only guarantees strong economics, but also improves vast sections of the contract language. It offers the best economic package these drivers have seen in years, with strong wage increases, an increase in pension contribution hours, and the best health and welfare worker protections in decades. It also includes major improvements to sick leave, bereavement leave, and vacation language.
Other major victories for the work group included new rules regarding bidding of routes, and a generous clothing and boot allowance. Overall, the unanimously-approved contract did not include a single takeaway for members.
“Whether it’s a contract covering thousands of members or a contract covering a handful, Local 174 always brings the fight to the bargaining table, and we don’t walk away until we have a great agreement,” said Teamsters Local 174 Secretary-Treasurer Rick Hicks. “We are proud of our members at Bunzl and our negotiating team for standing firm and negotiating such an excellent contract, which will guarantee our members’ futures for the next five years and beyond.”
“I think Bunzl management showed up to the table expecting a quick two-day bargain with minimal changes to the language of the contract, but that isn’t what they got,” said Teamsters Local 174 Senior Business Agent Pete Lamb, lead negotiator for the Union side. “They got a fight, and as a result, our members got the strongest contract they’ve seen in a long time.”
Founded in 1909, Teamsters Local 174 represents 7,600 working men and women in the Seattle area. “Like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TeamstersLocal174.