More than 250 Teamsters at Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) in Victorville have successfully negotiated a new contract following a two-week unfair labor practice strike. The workers, supported by over 700 Teamsters from KDP facilities across California, secured significant job improvements, including access to the Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trust and substantial wage increases.
“Teamsters at Keurig Dr Pepper were ready to hold the line for as long as it took,” stated Chris Griswold, President of Teamsters Joint Council 42 and Teamsters International Vice President At-Large. “We made Keurig Dr Pepper pay for violating our members’ rights and trying to strip away their hard-earned sick time. Teamsters will never allow companies to break the law or disrespect us.”
Phil Cooper, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters 896, remarked on the widespread support received: “The support we received across Southern California was incredible. Our Teamster brothers and sisters at all six facilities stood up without hesitation and honored our picket line.”
The strike was initiated after workers rejected KDP’s initial contract proposal that did not meet their demands for improved wages and benefits. The action involved drivers, warehouse workers, production workers, and merchandisers extending picket lines to over 700 KDP Teamsters throughout California, halting deliveries at five additional KDP locations. This victory marks the second successful strike by the Teamsters against KDP in just over a month; it follows a previous 12-day unfair labor practice strike by Teamsters Local 238 in Ottumwa, Iowa.
“KDP Teamsters are showing the whole industry what happens when you mess with union members,” said Jeff Padellaro, Director of the Teamsters Brewery, Bakery, and Soft Drink Conference. “Let this be a lesson to every other company out there: respect our members, follow the law, or prepare to face the consequences.”
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters was founded in 1903 and represents more than 1.3 million people across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico.
