A couple of bread guys at the Bimbo Depot in Kent: Erich Shienbein (r) and Kyle Griffus (l).

Do you know where your bread comes from? If you shop at a supermarket in Washington State, chances are you've filled your cart with bread and other goodies delivered by Teamsters at Bimbo Bakeries.

Our Union represents hundreds of members at Bimbo across our Joint Council. With start times ranging from midnight to 5 a.m., these early risers house, transport, and stock products we all enjoy - things like Sara Lee Bread, Thomas' Muffins, Entenmann's Donuts, Boboli Pizza Crust, and more.

For the last three months, the workers have been embroiled in contentious negotiations with the company. A statewide coalition of six Teamsters Locals - Locals 117, 231, and 252 on the west side of the mountains and Locals 690, 760, 839 on the east side - have been fighting for better pay and respect. 

Seven sessions into negotiations, the company has still not offered any new money for wage increases. This has majorly riled our members and led them to vote overwhelmingly to authorize a strike. Erich Shienbein, a route sales representative with 19 years at at Bimbo and shop steward at Teamsters 117, talked about the mood among his co-workers and where things stand at the bargaining table.

What does life look life for a bread rep?

It’s hard work. We build stacks of plastic trays, each one with 10 to 12 loaves of bread. I’ll grab my handheld and circle around the warehouse, building stacks on rollers. It takes me about two hours to pick. I load the truck so when I arrive at the store, I can just roll right in. You’re pushing 200 pounds over broken concrete, sometimes in the rain. Your knees hurt, your back hurts. It takes a toll on your body.

What is the top priority for your group in negotiations?

It’s all about upfront money. We haven’t had a cost of living increase for about 14 years. They keep kicking the can down the road saying they’re going to take care of us, but they never do. When so much time goes by and your paycheck stays the same, it’s disheartening. They want to get the most out of us but aren’t willing to recognize our work.

What has the company been telling you?

They haven’t offered any increases anywhere. So far, it’s a flat no. As a bread driver, I can be pretty short on patience. The company has made our routes bigger but without increasing our pay. We’ve been met with shoulder shrugs at the bargaining table. It makes me think: We make this company profitable. Our work pays your salaries. At least you could take this shit seriously.  

Have you been happy with the representation?

It's been awesome. It’s especially nice because this is the first time we’ve been working with the Locals in eastern Washington, trying to get us all under one contract. I feel there’s been a positive shift at Teamsters from my point of view. It’s not just talk.

The strike authorization vote was nearly unanimous. What kind of message do you think that sends?

Hopefully, it sends the message that we’re indispensable, that we’re tired of it. They call us essential one year and say we don’t deserve an increase the next. It’s bullshit. I’m willing to sacrifice my already tight financial situation so we can better ourselves. We’re all ready for it. We’ll be out on the streets if that’s what it takes. They wonder why there’s so much turnover. If they want to grow and prosper as a company, they have to pay their people fairly.