Teamster production workers and lab technicians, employed by Darigold, distributed leaflets at ten Walmart and Sam’s Club locations throughout the day today to inform consumers about the company’s multiple violations of federal labor law and the growing threat of a potential lockout or strike.

The workers handed out information and talked with shoppers at Walmart and Sam’s Club stores in Renton, Puyallup, Federal Way, Auburn, Covington, Bellevue, and Seattle.  Approximately 150 workers participated in the leafleting action.

Warehouse workers, employed at the IKEA distribution center in Frederickson, WA, have voted to join Teamsters Local 117.  The 64 workers at the facility came together seeking job security, fair and equal treatment, strong representation, and respect.

“We are excited to have the strength of the Teamsters behind us,” said Mario Sapilak, a 4-year IKEA employee.  “We need to have a voice at work and to have management listen to our concerns, and the Teamsters will help us achieve that.”

Darigold walked out of federal mediation late Monday night setting the stage for a potential lockout or strike at the company’s production facilities in Issaquah and Seattle. The walkout left no one with authority at the bargaining table, and was the latest in a series of unfair labor practices that undermine the bargaining process and foreshadow a possible labor dispute.

Teamster production workers and lab technicians who work at Darigold participated in “just practicing” picketing actions on Thursday at the company’s facilities in Issaquah and Seattle.  Workers were protesting the company’s refusal to bargain in good faith.

“Darigold is performing well financially, but instead of negotiating fairly and respecting the work that  its employees perform, the company appears intent on provoking a strike, or repeating the history of its bitter lockout ten years ago,” said Tracey A. Thompson, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 117.

GCA Services Group Employees Unite For Respect And Higher Wages

On Aug. 26 workers at GCA Services Group joined Teamsters Local 117 in Tukwila, Wash. The employees who voted 91-44 in favor of Teamster representation are shuttle drivers, responsible for shuttling rental cars and other vehicles at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Solidarity is the language that we speak.

Hey Teamsters,

Don't think for a second that just because you live in Washington State where union density is relatively high, that big business and corporate-backed politicians won't try to snatch away your collective bargaining rights or introduce so-called "right-to-work" legislation that is designed to destroy unions.

Just this past May, Sen. Michael Baumgartner (R-Spokane) introduced a bill that would have made Washington the 25^th right-to-work state (SB 5935). 

Almost a year ago today, Local 117 members at Davis Wire returned to work after a three-month long unfair labor practice strike at their facility.

Despite knowing the truck entrances, sidewalks and railroad tracks like the back of my hand, yesterday was the first-time that I have ever been inside of the facility. 

Over the past 50 years workers have been under attack, but in the past 20 years the fight has radically escalated. 

When workers today try to organize into a union - and according to most surveys a clear majority of unorganized workers want union representation - they are faced with violent anti-worker campaigns run by union busters.  

It’s hard to be more committed to the labor movement than Aramark’s Tim Tracy.

Tim is a steadfast supporter and a 12-year Shop Steward, who is filled with ideas for promoting his Union.

He is also experienced in the art of tagging, aka graffiti art.