Reyes/Great Lakes Coca-Cola Outside Workers Reject Contract Offer

Inside Workers Ratify New Four-Year Agreement

Outside workers at Reyes/Great Lakes Coca-Cola Distribution rejected the company’s four-year contract offer while inside workers overwhelmingly voted to ratify their new contract on Sunday, Dec. 6.

Before the outside workers take a strike vote, the Teamsters Local 727 Bargaining Committee will ask the company to return to the bargaining table in good faith in order to avoid a labor dispute.

“Overtime remains a huge issue with these workers, and they made that quite clear with their ‘no’ vote,” said John T. Coli, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 727. “If the company does not want to negotiate further, then our members will have another opportunity to make their voices heard.”

The newly ratified inside workers contract contains crucial new language that states employees shall not be required to cross a picket line if the Reyes/GLCCD outside workers go out on an authorized strike.

“This provision allows our members to remain united without fear of wrongful retribution for honoring their Teamster brothers’ and sisters’ sanctioned picket line,” Coli said. “We very soon could find out first-hand just how important this new contract clause is.”

With their ratification vote, the Reyes/GLCCD inside workers also secured wage increases with retroactivity to May 1, 2015, vastly improved health care coverage, a 401(k) with company match, and increased work protections via a better grievance procedure and just cause progressive discipline.

Category: BEVERAGE, Union News