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Truck Drivers in Ohio Join Local 1059

Truck drivers at the Tricont Trucking Company in Columbus, Ohio, joined UFCW Local 1059 on Sept. 10.

The 12 truck drivers, who deliver refrigerated products for Del Monte Foods, joined UFCW Local 1059 because they wanted stronger workplace protections and a more stable work environment, and cited shifting company policies as a major concern. In-person meetings and conversations helped fuel the organizing campaign, which culminated in the successful unionization effort.

The truck drivers are looking forward to negotiating a first union contract that brings more transparency, fairness and security to their jobs.

“The company took away our safety bonus without telling us,” said Cherish Johnson, who is a Tricont Trucking Company employee. “They took some of our routes away and gave them to temp workers. We need the protection of a union contract now more than ever.”

Local 186D Members Participate in Organizing and Health and Safety Trainings

The UFCW International’s Organizing Department and Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Office recently held trainings for UFCW Local 186D members in Modesto, Calif.

Staff from the International’s Organizing Department hosted a member mobilization identification presentation to help UFCW Local 186D identify member activists in organizing campaigns in the wine and distillery industries.

“This training definitely opens your eyes to the best way to communicate to all workers, which will be needed as we move forward,” said UFCW Local 186D President Dee Chacon.

UFCW Local 186D members also participated in an OSHA 10-hour training hosted by the International’s OSH Office. The OSHA 10-hour course covered mandatory topics, such as an introduction to OSHA; walking and working surfaces; personal protective equipment; electrical safety; hazard communications; and exit routes and fire prevention plans. Elective topics covered included safety and health programs; machine guarding; hazardous materials; and ergonomics.

“I’ve had training at the plant, but this training was more detailed and I actually became OSHA-10 certified,” said UFCW Local 186D Vice President Chris Sanchez.

If your local is interested in learning more about organizing and health and safety trainings, contact D. J. Totty in the Organizing Department at dtotty@ufcw.org and Roy McAllister in the OSH Office at rmcallister@ufcw.org.