Teamsters Local 727 Extends Contract and Secures Retroactivity for Pepsi Members
Recently, the Teamsters Local 727 Pepsi bargaining committee was able to secure an agreement with PepsiCo Beverages North America that extends the current CBA until May 31, 2020. The current CBA was set to expire April 28, 2020. Negotiations between Local 727 and PepsiCo for a successor agreement began in February, but recently have been delayed by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. Because much of the United States is banned from traveling during the international health crisis, Teamsters Local 727’s bargaining committee agreed to two days of bargaining by phone in March. However, it was largely a failure. Management kept the Union bargaining committee waiting for hours at a time to make little to no movement. “To say trying to hold negotiations remotely was frustrating is an understatement. We will not let management sleep on the job or try to half-ass negotiations. The bargaining committee agreed it would be better to extend the current contract until we are able to get management in a room and hold them accountable,” said John Coli Jr, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 727.
The extension agreement guarantees that all terms and conditions of the current CBA will continue in full force and effect until May 31, 2020. This includes the grievance and arbitration procedures, and also provides retroactivity on all benefits including wage increases in the successor agreement. “In these unprecedented times with everyone facing so much uncertainty, our first priority is keeping our essential, frontline members at worksites like Pepsi protected and paid. Our members should not have to worry if their raises will be retroactive or if their health insurance will be at risk while they are risking their health and safety to provide essential services during this time. I’m proud the bargaining committee was able to secure an extension agreement that lets us get through what is hopefully the worst of the pandemic but doesn’t allow the 100 days of summer to pass us by. The bargaining committee is resolute in making sure we get the very best agreement we can,” said John Coli Jr. Secretary Treasurer of Teamsters Local 727.
The bargaining committee will continue to keep members updated about negotiations and the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.
Members with questions should contact their Business Representative either Mike DeGard (35th st and Kankakee), or Zach Frankenbach (51st st and Elk Grove Village) at (847) 696-7500.
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.
