Teamsters at Sysco Minnesota have voted unanimously to authorize a strike if contract negotiations with the company do not result in an agreement. The vote includes more than 230 drivers and warehouse workers who are seeking higher wages, stronger benefits, and better working conditions.
“We’re not bluffing,” said Tom Erickson, President of Teamsters Local 120 and Director of the Teamsters Warehouse Division. “If Sysco doesn’t put a serious proposal on the table, our members will be on the picket line. This greedy corporation can either negotiate a fair deal or face the consequences.”
The Teamsters union represents over 10,000 Sysco employees across the country. In recent years, the union has held several major strikes against Sysco following disputes over contract negotiations. In 2023, Teamsters in Indianapolis and Louisville went on strike after failing to reach an agreement with Sysco. The action expanded to include more than 1,000 workers nationwide and ended with new contracts that were considered record-breaking by the union.
“We’re not asking for anything unreasonable,” said Ben Alverado, a driver at Sysco and member of Local 120. “Sysco rakes in billions off our labor. If they keep offering crumbs, we’re ready to shut them down.”
Sysco is among the largest food service companies in the United States. Its net profits reached $1.95 billion in 2024, representing an increase of over 10 percent from the previous year. Members of Local 120 say they want their new contract to reflect these financial results.
The strike authorization allows union leaders to call for a work stoppage after August 1 if no agreement is reached by then.
Teamsters Local 120 represents more than 15,000 workers across Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, and South Dakota. More information about Local 120 can be found at http://local120.org.
