Teamsters at Sysco work incredibly hard, housing, hauling, and distributing foodstuff to locations across our region.

Best contract ever. That was the refrain heard over and over on Saturday as members voiced their excitement for a new 3-year agreement with Sysco. Even the most senior members in the group were quick to acknowledge that they'd rarely, if ever, seen anything better.

"It's awesome," said Ken Melton, a 37-year driver, who describes his job as running groceries up and down the ramp. "Best contract we've seen in years and years. We work our tails off. We deserve to get the money that we've gotten."

The money was there to be sure. Members will see significant wage increases over the term of the agreement with substantial annual pension increases as well. Applause burst out in the room when Paul Dascher, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters 117 and lead negotiator for the Union, announced the actual numbers.

Neil Regan, another driver, was thrilled. "Best contract I've seen in the last 20 years," he said. "The people we have representing us at the table are outstanding." In addition to the financial gains, Regan praised a new safety provision that requires trucks to maintain 18 inches of space at the back of the trailer door. "It's important because if you want to have this job with any type of longevity, those are issues that need to be addressed," he said.

ST Paul Dascher (l), Kenneth Wanyora (c) and Ken Melton (r) celebrate outside the Union Hall in Tukwila.

For Teamsters in the food service industry, summer is peak season, with bustling restaurants needing to keep their inventory stocked. Workers like Danta Steele who have been putting in long hours will be rewarded by this contract as well. "I like how they got the double time for all compensated time over 60 hours in a week," the 8-year warehouseman said. "It's great with us staying late or working six days a week. It makes it worth it."

The contract features full maintenance of excellent health and welfare coverage with protections against increases, an additional week of vacation for workers with more than 30 years of seniority, and new DRIVE language so members can more easily hold politicians accountable.

"We are proud to have one of the strongest Sysco contracts in the country," Secretary-Treasurer Dascher said. "Our members work incredibly hard to keep hospitals, schools, restaurants, and nursing homes across our region stocked with prepared meals and food products. They deserve a fair compensation package, safe working conditions, and time off with their families in recognition of their labor. This agreement goes a long way toward achieving that goal."

Check out photos from the Sysco ratification vote here.