Drivers at UNFI Gilroy have just secured a historic contract with the company. And just weeks after forty-two(42) UNFI Teamster members secured 1.3 million dollars of back pay that was owed to them due to a wage calculation error.
This was a very strong second contract win for the members at UNFI. Not only increasing their wages above market rate but also securing Union Healthcare and Pensions.
“I am so proud of these members. These drivers did what works.” Said Teamsters Local 853 Vice President and UNFI Business Agent Ray Torres, “First, they determined what was important to them in this contract. Then, they determined a fair level of compensation based on their performance. Then most importantly, they trusted each other and the judgment of the leadership and negotiating committee and showed willingness to strike for those earnings.”
“We held the line strong,” said Ruben Lopez, the Chief Steward for UNFI “when we bargained the first contract, we knew we might not get everything we wanted, but this second time around because everyone held together, we advanced our positions on the Healthcare and Pension, and proved our worth over the past 3 years. This group deserves my highest praise.”
When presented in this way, the company understood that they needed to share their profits with the employees who made them successful.
UNFI is one of the four major Food Service Industry Trucking companies, along with PFG(Performance Food Groups/VISTAR), USFOODS, and SYSCO FOODS, that Teamsters Local 853 represent in the Bay Area.
If you know of any drivers or warehouse workers that are in the Bay Area food service industry not under Union Contract, let us know. If they want to be fairly compensated and protected for their work, let’s actively work to get them into our Teamster family for their sake and the sake of their families.
