Sysco operations across Indiana and Kentucky have ground to a halt after Teamster members walked out last night in Unfair Labor Practice strikes. The strike is the latest example of coordinated Teamster action at Sysco that is increasing members’ bargaining leverage.

Last fall, more than than 800 Sysco Teamsters won contract victories after striking facilities in Syracuse, Phoenix, and Brockton Mass.

Local 135 and Local 89 have been coordinating in contract negotiations where members are fighting for improvements, including higher wages, affordable healthcare, and protections against excessive overtime.

The company has responded by committing unfair labor practice charges.

Members in both Local 89 and Local 135 overwhelmingly voted down Sysco’s contract offer, including a so-called “Last Best and Final Offer” in Louisville. Since then management has refused to negotiate.

“Our members are not going to accept a contract offer until Sysco gets serious,” said Local 135 President Dustin Roach.

Taking On Law-Breakers

"Sysco management could have avoided this unfair labor practice strike by just not breaking the law, but I guess that was a bridge too far for them," said Local 89 Business Agent and IBT Warehouse Division Representative Trey McCutcheon.

“It’s important for folks to know that the Teamsters are going to have their backs and that we aren’t going to tolerate their bosses breaking the law,” said Avral Thompson, Local 89 President and IBT Vice President.

Sysco Workers Fight Back

Sysco employs more than 10,000 Teamsters nationwide and tens of thousands of nonunion drivers and warehouse workers.

Issues like excessive overtime, healthcare, production harassment, irregular schedules, unreasonable work rules, and invasive technology are uniting members to fight for better contracts and driving nonunion workers to organize with the Teamsters.

Sysco workers in Louisville voted to join Local 89 last year.