El capataz Andy Peterson y sus compañeros de la planta de lácteos de Safeway están listos para atacar.

Es unánime. Teamsters 117 miembros que trabajan en la planta lechera de Safeway en Bellevue han votado para autorizar una huelga. Los miembros votaron por la autorización de la huelga después de una reunión de actualización del contrato en nuestro salón Teamsters unión en Tukwila el domingo.

The vote comes after the employer made a number of substandard proposals in negotiations failing to recognize the hard work and sacrifices of their employees. Teamsters at the plant have worked hundreds of hours of overtime over the last year to help keep the facility operating and profitable.  

"A lot of people are really pissed off," said Matt Lewis, a 28-year employee and member of our union negotiations team. "We've all given so much to this company. We're here almost every weekend. A lot of us have doubled the number of hours we've worked.  We're giving everything we can to make sure this place is successful. And for management not to recognize that has been really hard on everybody."

"Estamos dando todo lo que podemos para asegurarnos de que este lugar sea un éxito."

Uno de los principales puntos de fricción en las negociaciones ha sido el cuidado de la salud de los jubilados. Nuestros miembros quieren asegurarse de que los jubilados tengan acceso a una atención médica asequible, mientras que la compañía no ha querido proporcionarla.

In the last negotiations session, the company admitted the reason for skimping on medical coverage for retirees: They don't want to provide decent benefits because they don't want to see their senior employees retire. This infuriated the union committee.

"It's a slap in the face," said Shop Steward Andy Petersen, who also serves on the Union negotiations committee. "A lot of guys are eligible to retire, but medical's a big part, and they can't afford it. If the company truly values their employees like they say they do, health care should be a top priority."

Con las negociaciones programadas para finales de mes, los miembros se preparan para una huelga, si es necesario.

"If the company isn't prepared to bargain an equitable contract, our members are ready to strike," said John Scearcy, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters 117. "These employees have made tremendous sacrifices to make sure the plant is profitable. The company needs to recognize that."