The last several months have been very busy at Teamsters Local 431.We have successfully negotiated and ratified contracts for Sun Maid Growers and Hertz Reps that were overwhelmingly approved by the membership. These contracts included good wage and pension increases as well as language improvements. We are currently in negotiations with six other companies. As always, we have organizing campaigns going on and we hope to be having elections on two of them soon. We will be suspending our General Membership meetings for July,
Keep readingLocal 431
Local moves forward with Sysco
Locals 431 and 386 have negotiated for several months with Sysco Foods. On Sunday, December 11, 2022, the Local presented the company’s most recent proposal to the Sysco employees. Although the proposal was fair, Local 431 still feels that significant improvements are needed to wages, benefits, seniority, and the right to grieve procedures before recommending and securing the contract.
“We have every reason to believe that Sysco has more to offer to their employees and we intend to bargain a better deal for our members,” said Mike Pratt,
Keep readingSysco talks progressing
In March, the 100 or so food service delivery drivers at the Sysco facilities in Fresno and Modesto voted to become Teamsters with Locals 431 and 386, respectively. Bargaining began in early June, and the company has agreed to have one contract for both Locals.
At press time, negotiations have been completed around seniority, grievance procedure, bidding language as well as territory. “We are beginning to talk economics and we will get our new hard-working members the benefits they deserve,” said Local 431 President Peter Nuñez,
Keep readingTwo solid contracts ratified
OK Produce: The 230 members who work in the OK Produce warehouse in Fresno and are drivers, who work primarily across Northern California, overwhelmingly ratified an early three-year agreement, reports President Peter Nuñez.
“The company was willing to sit down and bargain and our guys did a good job on that one,” says Nuñez. “The members got significant wage increases, improvements to their health and welfare, and increased pension contributions.
Cherokee Freight Lines: About 200 drivers in Locals 431 and 439 share a contract with Cherokee Freight Lines.
Keep readingSysco Fresno drivers finally vote for union representation
After multiple attempts over the last 15 years to organize one of the last remaining non-union Sysco foods in California, Teamsters Local 431 is proud to announce that, as of February 16, 2022, the 54 Sysco employees in Fresno voted 2-1 to join the Teamsters family.
“Thank you to the hard work and partnership with our JC7 organizers for making this finally happen,” says Local 431 President Peter Nuñez. “Now it’s time to knock out the first agreement for these hardworking drivers.”
Keep readingRenee Wilson – UPS (Local 431)
“By nature, I like to help people.” That’s what Renee Wilson says both about why she enjoys working at UPS and why she’s gotten involved in her union, Teamsters Local 431 in Fresno.
Wilson has worked as a UPS package car driver in Fresno for 20 years and has had the same route — a mix of residential and business stops — for the past 15 years. She makes about 135 stops a day.
Keep readingBig arbitration win
Teamsters Local 431 recently won a significant arbitration involving construction along the Hwy 99 and Hwy 180 corridors. Along with Construction Chairman Stu Helfer and Business Agent Mike Pratt, Teamsters Union Local 431 prevailed against Security Paving. The arbitrator ruling for underpayment and trust fund contributions could amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars. The award covered Kodiak Trucking’s performance of Teamster work when they blatantly chose to run non-union as well as underpay their employees.
Keep readingMaking progress
Teamsters Local 431 is heading into negotiations with Sun•Maid Growers, Rich Products and recently ratified an agreement with BMC West, reports Secretary-Treasurer Peter Nuñez.
Nuñez also thanks Northern California Construction Coordinator Stu Helfer for his help in a recent arbitration against High Speed Rail Contractor TPZP. “The decision protects Teamster work and provides earned benefits for our members,” he says.
Keep readingNew Teamster phone app
Teamsters Local 431 has built a smart phone app that is now available for IOS or Android phones, in both English and Spanish. Download the “Teamsters 431” app today and stay informed and up to date with your Local union.
Secretary-Treasurer Peter Nuñez reports that many members are facing hardship due to the massive Creek Fire in the Sierra National Forest outside of Fresno. As of mid-September, the fire had burned more than 228,000 acres and was only 18% contained.
Keep readingGood contracts abound
Teamsters Local 431 has had a busy few months with contract negotiations, shop steward seminars and educating our members about the state of our industries. Recent contract ratifications include Reyes Coca Cola, and Wilbur Ellis saw a solid reduction in the cost of their health care. “All of our business agents and officers try to preserve the rights and conditions that we worked so hard to achieve,” says Principal Officer Peter Nuñez.
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