Memphis Workers Are Latest Group to Join
Teamsters at Wine and Liquor Distributor
MEMPHIS, Tenn.,
May 16,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Wine and liquor distribution
workers at Southern Glazer's have joined Teamsters Local 667 in
Memphis, Tenn. The warehouse workers and drivers united for a
stronger voice in their workplace to address years of concerns on
the job.
"We heard from other drivers at different liquor companies in
Memphis about their wages and
standards that are better than ours, and when we found out they
were Teamsters, we knew what we had to do," said Montas Smith, a driver at Southern Glazer's.
Smith and his co-workers are seeking higher wages, improved
health care benefits, entry into the Western Conference of
Teamsters Pension Trust, better working conditions, and
respect.
"We are proud of our new members at Southern Glazer's for
organizing, and we intend to raise them to the standard the
Teamsters have set in the Memphis
market," said Herman Lewis,
Secretary-Treasurer of Local 667. "We look forward to negotiating a
contract that addresses our new members' needs and values their
hard work."
With the help of the Teamsters Brewery, Bakery, and Soft Drink
Conference, Local 667 negotiated a card-check agreement with the
company. The workers' union authorization cards were counted and
Southern Glazer's formally recognized Local 667 as the bargaining
representative for the group. The win for workers in Memphis follows recent organizing by Southern
Glazer's workers in New Mexico who
joined Teamsters Local 492 via card check.
"Congratulations to Southern Glazer's workers in Memphis who united to secure strong Teamsters
representation," said Jeff
Padellaro, Director of the Teamsters Brewery, Bakery, and
Soft Drink Conference. "We look forward to more workers in this
industry and at Southern Glazer's joining the Teamsters."
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters
represents 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto
Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information.
Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and "like" us on Facebook
at Facebook.com/teamsters.
Contact:
Kara Deniz,
(202) 497-6610
kdeniz@teamster.org
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SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters