RISE UP FOR WAREHOUSE WORKERS

by Jason Sweet, Director, Teamsters Canada Warehouse Division

The Teamsters Union has your back

With warehousing and logistics management constantly evolving, what are the Teamsters doing to ensure that we are getting the best for our membership?

Like in other industries, employers in the warehouse industry are complaining about having trouble attracting and retaining workers. That’s putting added strain on the current workforce, with managers demanding more productivity and overtime hours.

As the cost-of-living rises, the obvious fix is going to the bargaining table looking for more money to put in your pockets. But we can’t forget that the pandemic put a lot of added stress on our Teamsters family, and we need to look at benefit improvements that have a mental health component. It’s important that our members know that when they hit their lowest, the Teamsters Union has their backs.

There is also concern about getting sick and missing work. Job security is the first step to relieving that worry. Members need to know that we have seen the Ontario provincial government take sick days away from working men and women. That’s why it’s crucial as a union that we get language in our collective agreements that protect our membership.

Building unity and strength in the workplace is crucial with today’s challenges. For non-union warehouse workers, that starts with organizing. After a two-month campaign this year by the organizing team at Teamsters Local Union 419, over 350 workers at the largest Sobeys warehouse in Vaughan, Ontario, voted in favour of Teamster representation. This is a huge victory for the Teamsters.

I am also glad to report that we are getting results for members at the bargaining table. Metro warehouse workers in Ottawa ratified a new 5-year collective agreement, with average immediate wage increases ranging from 9% to 25%, depending on seniority, plus retro pay. The union made no concessions.

Benefits for members and their dependents were also significantly bolstered, with vision coverage being doubled to $500 for members and their dependents in 2023, and a 40% increase to $2,500 for major dental care coverage.

Negotiations with Metro were chaired by Brian MacDonald, the president of Teamsters Local Union 91. At the time, he said that the agreement reflects Metro warehouse workers’ hard work and the respect they deserve. “These essential workers continue to rise to the challenge and support Metro’s supply chain network. These improvements and the guarantee of a strong collective agreement should send notice to all Amazon warehouse employees that Teamsters should be their union of choice!