The last time a Teamsters Local 853 strike was elevated to a political level, the company’s revenues were reduced by 50% in less than a year. We can only hope Westlake does not choose this self-inflicted path.
Less than three years ago, another Bay Area company decided to stand firm against striking Teamster 853 members; the results were devastating to the company. A reduction in revenue by 50% as political pressure ensued, government contracts were removed, messaging to local businesses ramped up, and overall goodwill for the company dissolved in the community. So when the company was faced with trying to survive another year at 50%, or give in to the strike, they made the obvious choice. Back pay was awarded, wrongful termination settlements were paid, ULP charges were compensated, and a fair contract was put in place to secure the workers’ future.
A complete waste of time and effort where the company lost big, just to fight an unwinnable battle. The mistake they made was thinking that the striking workers themselves were the only bullet in the gun. But in California, the strike is the bullet in the chamber, and there are 10 more in the clip.
Ultimately, companies only care about their bottom line. Make money for your shareholders by all legal means.
So now we move to the language of currency, as we stand on the simple principle of fairness for exploited Californian workers. California has real teeth as it takes care of its workers, and its politicians will fire the next bullet in the chamber.
