"I work at US Foods in Perth Amboy. With the union, you have medical benefits and retirement, but also someone who can defend you. Another place that I worked they said 'You are Hispanic - so work over here', but they don't do that here, because we have a union contract." 

-Ramon Estevez, Warehouse, Perth Amboy, New Jersey

 "I've talked to guys who come from non-union warehouses, and the benefits we are receiving here are way better than those places. Here we have communication and respect. We talk about things to try and resolve them. The great thing about the Teamsters Union is that you know that the union is always going to stick up for the rights of the employees. I have a 15 year old daughter and a 10 year old son- and this job means a lot to me because I have been able to support my family."

-Rafael Concepcion, Warehouse, Perth Amboy, New Jersey

"Our job went from just a job to a career. It’s phenomenal. We now have a say in our working conditions. We now know what tomorrow brings. We have gained so much."

-Bill Wedebrand, Plymouth, MN (Read more of Bill's story here)

"Without Local 628 we at Swedesboro, NJ would not have a job! Thanks to all the Teamsters standing tall."

–U.S. Foodservice worker, Swedesboro, NJ

How does being in a union make a difference for you? Tell us your story here.

Did you know that a union contract provides?

Better Wages
Wages of union members are, on average, 28 percent higher than those of nonunion workers, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Better Health Care
79 percent of union workers have job-related health coverage, while only 52 percent of nonunion workers do.

Better Retirement
77 percent of union workers have a guaranteed defined-benefit pension, compared to only 20 percent of nonunion workers. In general, 86 percent of union members participate in pension plans, while only 57 percent of nonunion workers participate in pension plans.

Better Working Conditions and Job Protections
A strong Teamster contract details an orderly and fair way for work to happen on a day-to-day basis. The contract normally states the process for pay, how work is assigned, safety procedures and various work policies, among other things. When there is a disagreement or when a member is charged with any misconduct, there is a “grievance procedure” which the union will use to fairly resolve the issue. Workers are no longer on their own and at the mercy of a huge corporation.

For more information on the union difference, follow these links:
http://www.changetowin.org/why-organize/the-union-advantage.html
http://www.aflcio.org/joinaunion/why/uniondifference/index.cfm

What’s going on with benefits and job conditions in your workplace? Tell us your story here.

Forming Your Teamsters Union
Forming your Teamsters Union takes unity, commitment and ability. The employer will try to misinform and inject fear and doubt into the work force. It is an organizer’s job to keep their co-workers informed and actively involved in making positive changes in their workplace.

First Step
Contact the Teamsters Organizing Department at 202-624-8718 or contact us here. You and your contact information will remain confidential. Professional organizers will guide you through the process.

What to Expect from Supervisors and Managers:
One of the goals of company management is to maintain total control over workers and working conditions. Powerful Teamster activists and a strong Teamster contract will affect the amount of control that managers exert over workers. This is why managers and supervisors are quick to try to undermine workers when they begin to form their union.

Know Your Rights!
Some of these actions actually violate the laws established by the National Labor Relations Act that guarantee the rights of workers to organize. Many bosses feel so threatened by the possibility of an active Teamster membership that they are willing to risk breaking the law in order to evade the union organizing process.

You should know:

• It is a legal right for workers to form unions and bargain collectively with their employers.
• It is unlawful for employers, managers or supervisors to interfere with this right to organize a union or bargain collectively.
• The following acts by your bosses may constitute a violation of the law:
  • Fire or discipline any worker because of union activity.
  • Grant wage or benefit increases in order to keep workers from forming a union.
  • Ask workers what they think about the union or how they intend to vote.
  • Threaten to move or shut down the facility if workers form a union.
  • Promise benefits or promotions to workers if they reject the union.
  • Announce that the company will not deal with the union.
  • Make distinctions between union and nonunion workers when assigning overtime or desirable work arrangements.
  • Fail to grant a scheduled benefit or wage increase because of union activity.
  • Coerce workers into rejecting the union.
  • Engage in any activity which would indicate that workers are being kept under surveillance to determine who is and who is not participating in forming a union.

The best defense is to document questionable activities by your bosses (make sure to write down who, what, when, where, witnesses) and let the union know.

The Teamster Approach
YOU and your co-workers ARE THE UNION. Teamster professionals will guide you through forming your union and bargaining your contract, but YOU are the UNION at your worksite.

Teamster members at U.S. Foodservice will tell you what they went through in forming their unions, and how you can overcome the pressure which the company will exert. Teamster activists who are forming their union have the power of thousands of Teamster members at U.S. Foodservice and more than 1.4 million Teamsters in the U.S. and Canada who will stand with them in this battle.

The Teamsters Union has a long and ultimately productive relationship with U.S. Foodservice that includes bargaining, pensions and dealings with many U.S. Foodservice customers. The Teamsters Union will bring the power of this longstanding brotherhood together to help you form your union.

Are you interested in hearing more about forming a union? Contact us here.

US Foods locations where workers are Teamster members – those in green are represented by Teamsters:

View US Foods Union Facilities in a larger map