The material handlers at Mill Rock will join this group of workers as members of Teamsters 117.

A small group of workers at Mill Rock Packaging are the newest members of Teamsters Local 117. The Seattle-area Local Union was authorized as the workers’ exclusive bargaining representative after they voted unanimously to join the Union in an election with the National Labor Relations Board on Wednesday, June 18.

The material handlers will join an existing bargaining unit of twenty-two workers at Mill Rock who are already members of the Union. They sought representation with Teamsters Local 117 because they want fair and equal treatment, job security, and a voice over their wages, health care, retirement security, and other working conditions.

“This is the second group of workers in less than a week that has joined Teamsters Local 117,” said Paul Dascher, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 117.

“These workers deserve a voice, equitable pay, and the same fair treatment afforded other Local 117 members at the facility.” “With this step, our union grows stronger,” said Curtiss Jackson, a material handler who was recently forced to moved out of a union position into a non-union position. “I believe that now everyone in our department will be treated more fairly.”

In the coming weeks, the workers will complete contract surveys, meet to establish their priorities for negotiations, and identify rank-and-file leaders to participate on the union bargaining committee.

“Our goal is to make sure these workers’ concerns are addressed at the bargaining table,” Secretary-Treasurer Dascher said. “We look forward to working with them to outline their demands and negotiate a contract they can be proud of.”