705 Extends US Foods Strike Line

[JZuraw]

[JZuraw]

135 honors 705 picket line at US Foods -

🚨🚨BREAKING FROM LOCAL 135!🚨🚨

January 8, 2024: During the dark hours of the morning, US Foods members from Teamsters Local 705 in Chicago, Illinois, extended their picket line into local 135’s jurisdiction at our location in Fishers, IN, where Local 135 represents over 170 drivers, warehouse workers and maintenance employees.

While this is not a Local 135 strike, it has came to our backyard and our members have chosen to exercise their legal and contractual rights to honor the Local 705 picket line in a strong show of solidarity.

“We are no longer the Union we once were,” said Local 135 President, Dustin Roach, who met with Local 135 US Foods members early this morning. Roach was joined by Local 135’s Secretary-Treasurer, Sarah Revard, and Business Agent, Tim Courtney. They met with 135 members who were honoring the picket line at an off-site location to inform them of their rights, as well as other necessary information.

“Our members made it pretty damn clear this morning, they will continue honoring the Local 705 picket line as long as it’s up. They say, an injury to one, is an injury to all, I believe that to my core. These Teamsters are demonstrating that today by standing in solidarity with their brothers and sisters from Chicago. If US Foods, or any other company for that matter, wants to take on one of us, they’ll take on 1.3million of us. I’m proud of our members for taking this bold, militant stance against corporate greed. This is what it takes to win and I hope to see more of it in the future at other companies.”

“I’m proud of my brothers and sisters for standing with Local 705 by honoring their picket line. Our contract expires in two years and this could be us. Hopefully the company will learn that we’re together now, more than we’ve ever been and we’ve finally got leadership willing to back us up, we’re changing the game. US Foods needs to do right by our brothers and sisters in Local 705 now and address their issues and concerns,” said Local 135’s, US Foods Chief Steward, Terrell Sanders.

[Mr. Teamster]

135 honors 705 picket line at US Foods -

🚨🚨BREAKING FROM LOCAL 135!🚨🚨

January 8, 2024: During the dark hours of the morning, US Foods members from Teamsters Local 705 in Chicago, Illinois, extended their picket line into local 135’s jurisdiction at our location in Fishers, IN, where Local 135 represents over 170 drivers, warehouse workers and maintenance employees.

While this is not a Local 135 strike, it has came to our backyard and our members have chosen to exercise their legal and contractual rights to honor the Local 705 picket line in a strong show of solidarity.

“We are no longer the Union we once were,” said Local 135 President, Dustin Roach, who met with Local 135 US Foods members early this morning. Roach was joined by Local 135’s Secretary-Treasurer, Sarah Revard, and Business Agent, Tim Courtney. They met with 135 members who were honoring the picket line at an off-site location to inform them of their rights, as well as other necessary information.

“Our members made it pretty damn clear this morning, they will continue honoring the Local 705 picket line as long as it’s up. They say, an injury to one, is an injury to all, I believe that to my core. These Teamsters are demonstrating that today by standing in solidarity with their brothers and sisters from Chicago. If US Foods, or any other company for that matter, wants to take on one of us, they’ll take on 1.3million of us. I’m proud of our members for taking this bold, militant stance against corporate greed. This is what it takes to win and I hope to see more of it in the future at other companies.”

“I’m proud of my brothers and sisters for standing with Local 705 by honoring their picket line. Our contract expires in two years and this could be us. Hopefully the company will learn that we’re together now, more than we’ve ever been and we’ve finally got leadership willing to back us up, we’re changing the game. US Foods needs to do right by our brothers and sisters in Local 705 now and address their issues and concerns,” said Local 135’s, US Foods Chief Steward, Terrell Sanders.

Justin Roach is up there with Lindsay in that he never saw a picture he didn’t want to take and put it on Facebook.

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Teamsters on X 🚨STRIKE UPDATE🚨 #Teamsters Local 705 and @USFoods are back at the table this morning in Chicago as the #strik.jpg
705 Strike Update

[Rank&FileFrank]

Unfortunately in Southern California solidarity is in short supply. It appears B.A.’s are more interested in their cozy relationships with the bosses than fighting for Teamster members.

[Gimme_Danger]

Protecting members under the terms of the contract and the law is the job of union leaders. This looks like sound advice given the particulars involved (of which I don't know). Clearly there are contractual terms that must be followed and the law must be followed, in order to honor an extended picket line.

[JZuraw]

It would be good to know how this 705 strike is being explained to US Foods Teamsters at 63. Because the job of Union leaders is to unite the members and help them advance their interests. Crossing picket lines fails those purposes.

[Malcontent]

Unfortunately in Southern California solidarity is in short supply. It appears B.A.’s are more interested in their cozy relationships with the bosses than fighting for Teamster members.

The notice is written in such a way as to discourage rather than encourage, IMO. However the advice contained is solid. I would hope that the Local 63 BA's are having one-on-one conversations with Drivers about ways to support.
Honoring a picket is much different than striking over your own contract you can honor the line but not participate. This contract has 72 hour notice which also is not uncommon.

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Best article yet on US Foods strike.

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Photo by John Zuraw at 705 US Foods picket Friday evening.

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[JZuraw]

Solid, upbeat Local 705 picketers.

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[JZuraw]

My terminal is about a mile from the 705 strike line in Bensenville, IL. It's a honor to be there with them for a few minutes. The idea of solidarity becomes real when we stand together.