Tuesday: Costco Teamsters to Rally as Contract Negotiations Begin

Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien, Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer Fred Zuckerman, and hundreds of rank-and-file Costco Teamsters will rally in Long Beach, Calif., on Tuesday, December 10, as they gear up for the start of national negotiations impacting 18,000 Costco workers nationwide.

Earlier this week, the Teamsters were forced to file charges against Costco for blatantly violating federal labor law and the current national master agreement. The company's conduct was a calculated effort to undermine workers' rights and disrupt the collective...

Import Cargo Rising as Higher Tariffs and Potential Port Strike Approach

With a strike possible again next month at East Coast and Gulf Coast container ports and President-elect Donald Trump planning to increase tariffs, the nation’s major container ports are expected to see a continued surge in imports through next spring, according to the Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

“Either a strike or new tariffs would be a blow to the economy and retailers are doing what they can to avoid the impact of...

NFI, Massive Industry Coalition Urge Resumption of Port Labor Talks

The National Fisheries Institute (NFI), along with a catalog of organizations from farming, agribusiness, restaurant, and other sectors, sent a letter to the leaders of the International Longshoremen’s Alliance (ILA) and the United State Maritime Alliance (USMX) calling on both sides to resume port labor talks.

Only weeks remain until a contract extension between port employers and union longshore workers expires, paving the way for another port strike at major U.S. ports along the East and Gulf coasts.

“It is imperative for the parties to resume negotiations...

Delays Expected at Brazilian Ports Due to Indefinite Strike Starting November 26

Federal Revenue auditors in Brazil voted to maintain slowdowns at customs and begin an indefinite strike starting November 26. This decision was made during the National Assembly of the Brazilian National Union of Federal Revenue Auditors on 21 November, following the Ministry of Management and Innovation's (MGI) refusal to negotiate adjustments to salaries.

The strike intensifies movements that began in July, with auditors demanding salary adjustments and urging the government to open negotiations.

Recent talks with the MGI's Labour Relations Secretariat...

How a Port Strike Could Ripple Through the Ag Sector

The port strike has entered its third day and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) has signaled that they are willing to resume negotiations with the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA), but without preconditions made by the union. 

In an update provided Wednesday, USMX stated: "Reaching an agreement will require negotiating – and our full focus is on how to return to the table to further discuss these vital components, many of which are intertwined. We cannot agree to preconditions to return to bargaining – but we remain committed to bargaining in good...

Live Updates: Key Developments in the East and Gulf Coast Port Strike

October 3: The port strike has entered its third day and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) signaled that they are willing to resume negotiations with the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA), but without preconditions made by the union. 

In an update provided Wednesday, USMX stated: "Reaching an agreement will require negotiating – and our full focus is on how to return to the table to further discuss these vital components, many of which are intertwined. We cannot agree to preconditions...

US Foods Reaches Agreement With Illinois Union To End Strike

Early this month reports began circulating that US Foods employees in the Teamsters Local Union No. 705 in Chicago were preparing to strike. US Foods has now confirmed that they have reached a “fully recommended tentative agreement” with the union representing the company’s drivers. 

Local 705’s contract at US Foods expired on December 29. A few days later Teamsters Local Union 705 signed a charge against US Foods, stating “refusal to bargain” and “bad faith bargaining.” Local 705 Secretary-Treasurer Juan Campos, while on a worksite...

REPORT: US Foods Chicago Faces Potential Strike

US Foods employees who are part of the Teamsters Local Union No. 705 in Chicago are reportedly preparing to strike.

The Teamsters Facebook page shared in early December that Warehouse Division Director Tom Erickson was in Chicago for worksite visits at U.S. Foods and other companies, including Sysco, Jewel Osco and Edward Don. 

“While at US Foods, Erickson and [Local 705 Secretary-Treasurer Juan Campos] turned their attention to the current contract fight for drivers at Local 705 who just last week voted unanimously to authorize a strike,” the Teamsters page shared...