More than 200 drivers at US Foods facilities in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia have ratified a new four-year collective bargaining agreement. The workers are represented by Teamsters Locals 61, 71, and 391. The contract includes wage increases, reduced health care costs, and improved language regarding discipline and route bidding.
Mike McGaha, President of Local 391 and President of Teamsters Joint Council 9, stated: “The solidarity demonstrated by our membership across the South forced US Foods management to deliver the strong contract that these hardworking Teamsters deserved. We’re proud to have secured an agreement that increases wages, improves benefits, and raises standards for our members.”
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents more than 5,500 workers at US Foods nationwide. This latest agreement follows other recent contracts at the company. Earlier this year, drivers represented by Teamsters Local 853 ratified their first contract after a multi-week strike.
Glenn Tyler, a driver at US Foods and member of Local 71 said: “We showed US Foods that we would not settle for less. It feels great heading into work knowing we are protected and rewarded under such a strong Teamsters contract.”
US Foods is one of the largest food service distributors in the United States with a market capitalization exceeding $17 billion. The union’s recent gains in the South reflect its increasing influence within the company.
Tom Erickson, Director of the Teamsters Warehouse Division said: “We are flexing our muscles at US Foods and winning game-changing contracts for our members nationwide. US Foods management knows that if they fail to do right by our members, we will hold them accountable. These victories show exactly why every worker at this company should become a Teamster.”
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters was founded in 1903 and currently represents about 1.3 million people across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico.
