Record-Setting Number of Grievances Filed Against GLCCD Illustrates its Broken Relationship with Employees & Local 727
Great Lakes Coca-Cola Distribution, a subsidiary of Reyes Holdings, has claimed repeatedly that it would like to repair and improve its relationship with its employees and with Teamsters Local 727. But their actions have spoken louder than their words. Throughout negotiations with the Union, GLCCD has ignored the concerns expressed by its employees and called into question the need for many of Local 727’s contract proposals.
To demonstrate, beyond a doubt, the need for serious change, the Union made a copy of every grievance filed over the life of the last contract and presented it to GLCCD representatives. The stack of grievances was nearly as tall as a can of Coca-Cola.
For the past three years, GLCCD has topped the Union’s list of bad behaving companies. In fact, more grievances have been filed by Local 727 against GLCCD than any other employer despite GLCCD not being the largest employer of Local 727 members.
“GLCCD’s past actions have eroded the trust of its employees and diminished any goodwill that existed with the Union,” said John Coli, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer of Local 727. “We cannot trust the Company to do the right thing. There must be clear, strong contract language to ensure GLCCD keeps to its word and is held accountable when it violates the CBA.”
In addition to violating its contracts more than any other company, GLCCD has also frequently ignored its obligation under the National Labor Relations Act, thereby forcing Local 727 to file countless unfair labor practice charges with Region 13 of the National Labor Relations Board. In nearly every instance, GLCCD has only complied with its obligations under the law when forced to do so.
“It shouldn’t be news to GLCCD that this relationship is broken. GLCCD only needs to look at the Union’s massive stack of grievances and the tremendous number of ULP charges filed over the past 5 years to understand why its relationship with its employees has been shattered,” added Coli. “If it truly wants to repair that relationship, GLCCD must immediately begin listening to its workers’ concerns, bargain in good faith with Local 727, and fully fulfill its obligations under the CBA and federal labor law.”
Anyone with questions should contact Local 727 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.
