2024 was a busy year for worker organizing and winning contract improvements. Here is a summary.

Northeast Beverage

Soft drink distribution drivers at Northeast Beverage in Warwick unanimously ratified a successor contract after a one-day strike. The contract calls for significant wage increases, strong Teamster healthcare, MLK Jr Day as a paid holiday, and other improvements to working conditions.

Centrex

Members who warehouse and deliver alcoholic beverages for Centrex Distributors ratified a five year successor contract. The union bargaining committee had committed to bringing the company’s ‘final offer’ without a recommendation for the 100 members on the seniority list to debate and vote on. The group previously had overwhelmingly authorized a strike if necessary.

The ratified agreement eliminates the tiered wage system, compressing a new progression over the course of the contract. The tiers in vacation and sick benefits were also eliminated. These hardworking Teamsters will benefit from fading internal divisions, with decades-long wage and benefit tiers being eliminated over the contract. This rebuilds the foundation for improvements in future contracts, and solidifies good jobs in the industry in Rhode Island.

Airgas

Airgas Warwick members ratified a strong three year successor contract. In addition to maintaining Teamster healthcare through AllegiantCare, members gained additional vacation and sick time, bargained strong wage increases, and strengthened working conditions. The Providence location was closed late in the year, and consolidated into the Warwick location. Members were protected in the effects bargaining.

McLaughlin & Moran

Alcoholic beverage distribution members at McLaughlin & Moran unanimously ratified a successor five year contract. The contract calls for strong wage increases, a shorter progression to top pay rates, increased vacation and personal time, and other contractual protections. Fully funded Teamster Healthcare and Pension were maintained. The beverage members recognize the impact of a changing market and the challenges ahead, but came together on their strongest contract yet.

National Grid

Members at the National Grid LNG liquefaction terminal in Providence unanimously ratified a strong five year contract. Improvements to an already strong contract include eliminating the employee share of Teamster healthcare, improved vacation time, 401k retirement benefits and shift premiums, and new member orientation for the union. These workers also have fully paid Teamster pension.

John R Hess & Sons

Members of a small specialized chemicals manufacturer and distributor, JR Hess Company, unanimously ratified a strong three year successor contract. The agreement calls for a 23% wage increase, maintaining fully funded Teamster healthcare and pension, another holiday and increased vacation time.

Linde

Members working for Linde Gas & Equipment unanimously ratified a new four year contract. Included in the strong agreement is adding Juneteenth as a contractual holiday, maintaining fully-funded Teamster healthcare and pension, job training opportunities, improved job protections, and 30% wage increases over the life of the agreement.

KR Rezendes

Construction members unanimously ratified a strong successor contract at KR Rezendes. The Assonet, MA construction company operates in southeastern Massachusetts. 

Stericycle warehouse

Warehouse workers at Stericycle unanimously ratified an agreement to be included in the existing driver contract, calling for strong wage improvements and job protections. The 12 workers had voted unanimously to join the Teamsters earlier in the year.

Cooley Manufacturing

Teamsters Local 251 members unanimously ratified a strong five year contract with Cooley Manufacturing. The agreement covers over 50 employees, features an initial wage increase of 16%, totaling approximately a 30% wage increase over the duration of the agreement. It also includes increased shift differentials, double pay for all work on Sundays, and time-and-a-half for emergency work.

DATTCO Burrillville

Bus drivers, monitors, and aides at DATTCO Burrillville voted to join Teamsters Local 251. The 46 new Teamsters provide student transportation for the Burrillville School District. Negotiations have been ongoing since the organizing win.

LAZ Parking

Shuttle and dispatch members at LAZ Parking at the airport ratified a strong successor contract that increases Teamster pension benefits and maintains Teamster Allegiantcare healthcare. The agreement also calls for strong wage increases and additional paid time off.

Mondelez

Members at Teamsters Locals 251, 633 and 1035 ratified an area agreement for a one year extension of the existing contract. The extension guarantees strong wage increases two months early and a pension improvement, and maintains fully-funded Teamster healthcare and all the strong job protections within the agreement.

Transdev

Newly organized members at Transdev Providence have been bargaining for a first contract since voting to join Local 251 late in 2023. The workers took a strike authorization vote and showed solidarity on an informational picket with Brown University workers and students. They are set to vote on a contact offer soon.