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Oregon dairy workers join Teamsters
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, July 20, 2012)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Dairy workers with YoCream International Inc., a division of global French food group Danone SA, have voted overwhelmingly to join Teamsters Local 305 in Portland, Ore., seeking better conditions and a voice at work.
“We’re very satisfied that we are getting representation from the Teamsters because the Teamsters represent almost all of the dairies in our area,” said Christopher Greenlee, a lead pasteurizer and one of the 45 new Teamster members at YoCream. “We organized to improve our pay, have better communication with the company and have a say in our work rules.”
YoCream, a family-owned frozen yogurt company founded in 1977, was purchased by Danone for $103 million in 2010. The Danone brand is marketed in the United States as Dannon.
In May, 37 dairy workers with Stonyfield Farm, also a division of Danone in Northern California, voted to join San Leandro-based Teamsters Local 853.
“These two significant victories, coming only about a month apart, are the first organizing wins to be coordinated by the Teamsters Dairy Conference in years, and mark a big step forward in our renewed efforts to build power for workers in this industry,” said Rome Aloise, International Vice President and the newly appointed director of the Teamsters Dairy Conference.
“We are very pleased with this significant vote for union representation. Credit goes to organizer Mark MacPherson, who met with the workers and was instrumental in aiding in this victory for them,” said Tony Andrews, President of Teamsters Joint Council 37 and Secretary-Treasurer of Local 305. “We are certainly going to work to bring these workers the full level of Teamster benefits.”
Through its global presence, the Teamsters Union has maintained a positive record of relations with Danone. The Teamsters Union is affiliated with the International Union of Food Workers (IUF), a Geneva-based global federation of trade unions. As part of the IUF’s international framework agreement with Danone, company leaders meet annually with one union representative from each Danone facility worldwide.
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.
Monday, July 23, 2012
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