Local 727 Proposes Union Health Care on Opening Day of Contract Negotiations with Vitalant

Teamsters Local 727 and Vitalant (formerly Lifesource) opened negotiations yesterday for a new successor collective bargaining agreement covering distribution drivers and Mobile Unit Assistants.

Local 727 kicked-off yesterday’s negotiations by proposing the inclusion of Vitalant members in the Teamsters Local 727 health care plan, a 100% employer-funded health insurance program with no premium costs for participants and an opportunity to receive 90-10 coverage.  The Union bargaining committee made it clear to Company representatives that health care improvements are a top priority for drivers and MUAs.

“Rising health care costs are increasingly placing an undue strain on Local 727 members and their families,” said Nick Micaletti, Local 727 Business Representative for Vitalant workers.  “If we want to reach an agreement before the current CBA expires, we must address this critical issue and work to find a health care fix.”

Yesterday, the Union bargaining committee also requested Vitalant provide Local 727 with a copy of all corporate policies.  Local 727 intends to present a comprehensive list of non-economic proposals at the parties’ next bargaining session.

Unlike Local 727, Vitalant representatives did not present any of their own contract proposals.

“While we may have a lot of tough work and difficult negotiations ahead of us,” added Micaletti, “the Local 727 bargaining committee is prepared to fight tooth-and-nail for Vitalant workers.  We are confident that together we will secure a strong new collective bargaining agreement for our Teamster Brothers and Sisters.”

Local 727 and Vitalant are scheduled to resume negotiations on Friday, June 7.  The current Vitalant CBA is set to expire June 30.

Members with questions should contact Local 727 Business Representative Nick Micaletti 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, 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.

Category: Vitalant