Striking dairy Teamsters standing strong in Maryland
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, September 18, 2012)
CUMBERLAND, Md. — Teamsters at Galliker’s Dairy remain out on strike as the fight to receive a fair offer from their employer continues. The 55 workers have been without a contract since Feb. 28, 2011, and overwhelmingly voted down a substandard contract offer earlier this year.
The company, who has refused to bargain since the tentative offer was rejected in May, is trying to eliminate the workers’ pension benefits and refuses to include retroactive pay in its offer. Following the expiration of the previous contract in Feb. 2011, the union agreed to an extension with the one requirement being that the workers would receive retroactive pay as part of any agreement.
“We have bent over backwards to try and reach an agreement that the company and union could both live with,” said Larry Wolfe, Teamsters Local 453 President. “It is nothing more than an insult for Galliker’s to not recognize the outstanding work our members do every day. It’s time for management to step up and do the right thing.”
In 2012, the Teamster members at Galliker’s received national recognition as the best single production plant within the Quality Chekd membership. Quality Chekd is an organization of 27 independent dairy processors that have 59 manufacturing facilities internationally.
“We’re anxious to get back to work. We would much rather be working than striking, but we are doing this because we want to be treated fairly and recognized for our hard work,” said Tom Fair, a 16-year driver.
The workers have received outstanding support from the community during the strike which has helped them remain committed and focused on their goal.
“Our members want to get back to work – no one likes to go out on strike,” Wolfe said. “But there are times when you have to stand up for what’s right and with the community behind us, we will continue to stand strong.”
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
