Local 727 Holds Meetings to Discuss Pepsi’s Contract Offer
About 200 Pepsi workers joined members of the Teamsters Local 727 Bargaining Committee on Tuesday in the 35th Street break room to discuss the company’s last, best and final contract offer.
Pepsi management opened the meeting with a presentation on its proposed Standard Flex Benefits Plan, and then Local 727 Secretary-Treasurer John T. Coli and union attorney Jon Magna of Illinois Advocates went through the entire contract, article by article, to explain all of the proposed changes in the offer. Members in attendance also received a two-sided summary sheet of the changes and had the opportunity to ask questions about the contract offer.
“The wage offer is not what we wanted, but that should not diminish the work the Bargaining Committee did to secure a large number of improvements without giving up a single concession,” Coli said.
Meetings were also held Tuesday at the Pepsi Kankakee facility.
Local 727 representatives and attorneys also will be on site Thursday, May 19, to answer questions and discuss the contract with the membership.
- Thursday, May 19
- 51st Street: 2-3 p.m.
- Kankakee: 5:15-8 a.m. and 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Voting Procedure
During Tuesday’s meeting, Coli also explained the voting procedure, which will be conducted via mail ballot to ensure a high voter turnout.
Local 727 will mail a copy of the contract in its entirety, a contract summary sheet, a ballot and a stamped return envelope to all Pepsi members on Friday, May 20. To vote, members can simply mark the ballot, place it in the stamped return envelope and drop it in the mail. The ballots will be counted at 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 1, at the Local 727 office, 1300 W. Higgins Road, Suite 111, Park Ridge, IL 60068. The Bargaining Committee will be present for the ballot count.
If you have recently moved, please contact your Local 727 Business Representative and give him your updated address to ensure you receive a ballot.
“The most important thing to remember is that this union will be with you 100 percent, no matter what happens,” Coli said. “We have your back and will always have your back.”
If you do not receive a ballot or if you have any questions, contact your Local 727 Business Representative:
- Vincent Blanco (35th, 51st, Elk Grove): (847) 696-7500 or [email protected]
- Mike DeGard (Kankakee): (847) 696-7500 or [email protected]
