July 7, 2018

This afternoon, a group of 26 newspaper delivery drivers working for Transervice voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new 5-year agreement. Transervice is a contractor hired by the Seattle Times to deliver its newspapers.

The new agreement is a major victory for the group, who have struggled with stagnating wages for years as the newspaper industry continued to lose ground to the Internet. However, this contract breathes new life into these Teamster members’ futures, giving them meaningful wage increases as well as providing them with daily overtime, a higher pension cap, and an additional holiday. The drivers will also benefit from additional sick leave as required by the new Washington State Paid Sick Leave law.

“It was a tough bargain, but also a fair one, and we are very happy with how things turned out for our hardworking members at Transervice,” said Local 174 Secretary-Treasurer Rick Hicks. “The company owner himself negotiated directly with the Bargaining Committee, resulting in a strong contract that benefits everyone, negotiated in just a few days of hard work. I wish more contracts could be handled this way. This is truly a win-win.”

Founded in 1909, Teamsters Local 174 represents 7,200 working men and women in the Seattle area. “Like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TeamstersLocal174.