Local 727 Secures New Tentative Agreement that Limits Length of Blue Cards
The Teamsters Local 727 bargaining committee and representatives of PepsiCo Beverages North America met for the second consecutive day today to continue bargaining over a successor collective bargaining agreement. Capitalizing off of the progress made during yesterday’s bargaining session, the Union once again pressed hard for improvements to contract language regarding Blue Cards and the workweek.
As a result of the Union bargaining committee’s persistence, Local 727 was successful in securing a tentative agreement that limits the length of time Blue Card employees can be forced to work before being promoted to a regular full-time employee to no more than 180 days. The parties have also tentatively agreed that when a Blue Card employee is promoted to a full-time position, s/he will not have to endure an additional probationary period. Additionally, Blue Card employees will be eligible for sick/personal leave under the parties’ new tentative agreement and Pepsi will be prohibited from using Blue Card employees to deprive full-time members of overtime work.
In addition to securing a TA on Blue Cards, the Local 727 bargaining committee was also able to secure a tentative agreement that broadens bereavement pay to include absences for the passing of a member’s partner or the death of a spouse/partner’s grandparents.
While the parties were able to make progress on Blue Cards, the Union was extremely disappointed that Pepsi management spent a significant amount of time this afternoon preparing a “concept,” not a proposal, for posting overtime in response to Local 727’s workweek proposals. The concept was not only underwhelming but also missed the mark and addressed only one small issue raised by the Union’s proposals.
“While we are proud to have fixed a number of issues related to Blue Cards today, the Union is extremely disappointed that Pepsi management wasted so much time preparing a concept rather than engaging with the bargaining committee in a larger, in-depth discussion on the workweek,” said John Coli, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer of Local 727. “The workweek is a critical aspect of our members’ and their families lives. We hope Pepsi management will take this time between bargaining sessions to better prepare themselves and will come to our next meeting prepared to make significant improvements to their workweek rules.”
Local 727 and Pepsi are next scheduled to meet on Tuesday, March 17.
Members with questions should contact Local 727 Lead Business Representative Zach Frankenbach at (847) 696-7500 or [email protected] or Local 727 Business Representatives Mike DeGard at (847) 696-7500 or [email protected].
Nothing in this article should be read as the union’s waiver of any legal argument, position or grievance(s), or as a waiver of any rights, arguments, or defenses under any contract, collective bargaining agreement, or applicable law. The union does not forfeit its right to make any and all supplemental arguments.
