Bargaining Update: Dr. Pepper Membership
Teamsters Local 727 and Dr. Pepper continued negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement covering outside employees on Monday, March 26th and Tuesday, March 27th.
While the Company withdrew some of its ridiculous proposals, it presented new and more egregious proposals such as a zipper clause, which essentially eliminates the Union’s ability to rely on past practices that are not specifically incorporated into the CBA.
Dr. Pepper also proposed changing the start of the work week from Monday to Sunday and lengthening the work week. This would drastically reduce if not eviscerate overtime. Additionally, the Company proposed changing the grievance process and reducing the timelines to file a grievance as a result of Local 727’s success and persistence in enforcing the contract.
The Union has made no changes to its key proposals critical to members, including substantial increases to pension and 401k, and significant wage increases across the board. The Union will continue to fight for them.
Local 727 has also continued to stand firm on its picket/strike line proposal that members may honor any strike/picket line approved by Joint Council 25, including strike lines of employees covered by the inside contract. The Union believes that a one-year agreement that aligns the outside and inside contracts is beneficial to both the Company and the Union.
“We made it clear to management which issues are most important to our members and that we intend to stick by them,” said John Coli Jr., Secretary-Treasurer of Local 727. “We will also continue to push to align the contracts and won’t back down on this either as it is important to the members.”
Members with questions should contact Business Representative Caleen Carter-Patton 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 additional grievance. The union does not forfeit its right to make any and all supplemental arguments.
Category: BEVERAGE
