Local 243 Secures Historic NLRB CEMEX Bargaining Order In Organizing Battle Against Lansing’s Neogen Corporation

Local 243 Becomes First Teamsters Local Union In the Country To Win A NLRB Bargaining Order

Pictured above (left to right) are Local 243 Business Agent Heather Duhoski, President Scott Quenneville, Neogen Teamster Mary Pazitka, Business Agent/Organizer Bill Black, and Neogen Teamsters Mike Miller, Jonas Higbee, Craig Wing and Marquist Evans.

Click graphic at right to read entire NLRB Complaint

Strongly condemning the Employer’s illegal conduct during Local 243’s organizing campaign at the Neogen Corporation warehouse in Lansing, on August 2, 2024 the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued its Complaint, seeking a final order whereby Neogen must recognize Local 243 and meet with the Union to bargain a first collective bargaining agreement.

"Given the outrageous and illegal conduct by Neogen during our organizing drive, Local 243 fought back by filing unfair labor practice (ULP) charges demanding justice for the workers,” said Local 243 President Scott Quenneville.  “Business Agent Bill Black led the Union’s organizing drive and witnessed, firsthand, the Company’s unfair conduct.”

Quenneville said that after the vote, Black contacted the NLRB and filed charges protesting Neogen’s numerous violations.

When Neogen workers began organizing last year, the Company began their retaliatory Union-busting campaign.  High-level Neogen executives launched an intense and illegal union-busting campaign, threatening workers with closure of the warehouse and loss of pay, benefits and access to management if they voted to join the Teamsters.

“If the Company thought they could do whatever they wanted, without any counter punch from the Union, they were wrong,” Quenneville said.  “We fought back with a barrage of unfair labor practice charges and demanded justice.  I proudly welcome these workers into our Teamsters family and look forward to securing the strong Union contract they demand and deserve.”

Below are details of the NLRB’s Complaint Against Neogen:

ABOUT NOVEMBER 20, 2023 ... Respondent, by its representatives...threatened employees with closure and loss of flexibility if they selected the Charging Party as their collective-bargaining representative.

ABOUT NOVEMBER 21, 2023 ... Respondent, by its representative...at its Lansing facilities, threatened employees with loss of benefits, such as cookout events, PTO giveaways and other gifts, if they selected the Charging Party as their collective-bargaining representative.

ABOUT NOVEMBER 22, 2023 ... Respondent, by Julie Mann...:

a) threatened employees with loss benefits, including scheduling flexibility, if they chose to be represented by the Charging Party.

b) threatened employees with the loss of access to direct communication with supervisors if they chose to be represented by the Charging Party.

c) threatened employees with loss of benefits, including feeling comfortable and safety discussing problems, issues and questions with company leadership, if they selected the Charging Party as their bargaining representative.

ABOUT NOVEMBER 29, 2023 ... Respondent by its representatives unknown to the General Counsel, but well known to Respondent, at its Lansing facilities, without specifying any difference between economic or unfair labor practice strike, threatened employees with permanent replacement in the event of a strike if they chose to be represented by a union.

ABOUT DECEMBER 1, 2023 ... Respondent, at its Lansing facilities:

• by John Adent, threatened employees with the closure of the facility if they selected the Charging Party as their collective-bargaining representative;

• by John Adent, threatened employees with loss of access to managers and supervisors to discuss workplace issues if they selected the Charging Party as their bargaining representative;

• by John Adent, impliedly threatened employees with loss of benefits, such as flexibility and understanding, if they selected the Charging Party as their bargaining representative; 

• by John Adent, solicited grievances from employees and promised to remedy them if they chose not to be represented by the Charging Party;

• by John Adent, promised employee benefits including the creation of an employee resource group to advocate for employees, if they chose not to be represented by the Charging Party;

• by its representative unknown to the General Counsel but well known to Respondent, by a daily “One Shot,” threatened employees with loss of access to their supervisors to discuss terms and conditions of employee if they selected the Charging Party as their collective-bargaining representative.

READ THE ENTIRE NLRB COMPLAINT BY CLICKING THE GRAPHIC ABOVE

The NLRB stated: “Respondent has been failing and refusing to bargain collectively with the exclusive collective-bargaining representative of its employees in violations of Sections 8(a)(1) and (5) of the Act.”

As a result of the Company’s conduct, the NLRB wants Neogen to do the following:

“Upon request, and pursuant to Cemex Construction Materials Pacific, LLC, 372 NLRB No. 130 (2023), meet and bargain in good faith with the Charging Party at a reasonable, mutually-agreed-upon times and locations with respect to an initial collective bargaining agreement.”

2023-2028 UPS National Agreement, Local #243 Metro-Detroit Rider, Central Region Rider, Michigan Rider and CSI Rider

Click on the contracts below for a larger view

Feel free to download and keep these with you for quick reference.

Copies of the 2023-2028 UPS contracts will be distributed to Local 243 members as soon as the Union receives the printed versions from the IBT.

Teamster Leaders Assemble In Downtown Chicago For the IBT’s 2024 Passenger Transportation Division Conference

Teamster Local Union officials from across the country met at the Palmer House Hotel in Chicago, Illinois May 7-8 for the IBT’s 2024 Passenger Transportation Division Conference.

(RIGHT) IBT General President Sean O’Brien speaks to delegates at the IBT’s 2024 Passenger Transportation Division meeting.

Local 243 Secretary-Treasurer Phil Turner and Business Agent/Legislative Coordinator Bill Black joined more than 120 local union leaders for this year’s meeting.  Issues discussed included: the seven tests of just cause, and their use in protecting members’ rights and jobs; unemployment benefits for school transportation employees; organizing growth and opportunities within the industry; and how Teamster legislative power can benefit passenger transportation workers.

IBT General President Sean O’Brien kicked off the meeting by discussing the IBT’s ongoing organizing programs and how the International and Local Unions are working to expand our influence and enhance our strength within the Passenger Transportation Division.

(LEFT) Secretary-Treasurer Phil Turner and Business Agent Bill Black listen to a discussion about the NLRB.

“We’re not afraid to fight,” O’Brien declared.  “We’re not afraid to take on employers.  We’re not afraid to strike if the employers don’t give our members what they want.  We have $340 million in our Strike and Defense Fund. That Strike and Defense Fund will be used to negotiate the best contracts, set the highest industry standards and defend against any threat to this Union.”

O‘Brien told the attendees that the IBT and Local Unions must continue driving up standards not just in the Passenger Transportation Division, but at every Teamster employer, through aggressive and ever-expanding organizing.

(RIGHT) Teamsters Local 243 Secretary-Treasurer Phil Turner, IBT General President Sean O’Brien and Business Agent/Legislative Coordinator Bill Black.

“The bottom line: if we’re not organizing, we’re dying.” O’Brien said.  “There are very strong opportunities to organize in the Passenger Transportation Division and Teamsters are working everyday to make the most of these opportunities.  Since taking office, we’ve been extremely successful in organizing new members — especially in the Passenger Transportation division.”

Secretary-Treasurer Phil Turner said while the challengers facing the Passenger Transportation Division are great, the opportunities are greater.  He stressed that changing Michigan’s law regarding unemployment benefits for school bus Drivers and Monitors/Bus Aides remains a high legislative priority.

“Local 243 began this discussion over fixing Michigan’s unemployment law with House Speaker Joe Tate a year ago, and we remain determined to use our connections in Lansing to press ahead with this change,” he said.  “In addition, Local 243’s organizing program, spearheaded by Business Agent Bill Black, is solid and strong.  Bill does a remarkable job, and Local 243 stands ready to welcome any and all non-union school transportation employees into our Local Union.  Together, we are stronger - and Local 243 believes it's past time that school transportation employees receive the dignity, respect and fair treatment they deserve.”

Sweetwaters Ann Arbor Workers Host “Sip In For Solidarity” To Support Organizing With Local 243

Baristas at Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea held a “sip in for solidarity” on January 20, 2024 at the Company’s downtown Ann Arbor location to show support for the workers’ effort to organize with Teamsters Local 243.

The Union representation election covering 60 baristas at four Ann Arbor Sweetwaters coffeehouses will take place on Thursday, January 25th.

“We are all very proud of these young professionals who are demonstrating bravery and unity in their campaign to win strong Union representation they want and deserve,” Local 243 President Scott Quenneville said.  “Working together, we will first win this crucial organizing election and then begin the important task of negotiating a first contract that will make these Sweetwaters workers proud to become Local 243 Teamsters.”

Sweetwaters workers received support from legislative officials, Starbucks workers, nurses, office clerical workers and community leaders.  Among those in attendance were in State Senator Jeff Irwin (D-15th), State Representative Jason Morgan (D-23rd) and retired United Auto Workers International President Bob King.

President Quenneville said the Sweetwaters campaign is the latest push by Local 243 to reach out and organize young workers who are the key to building a strong and effective 21st century labor movement.

Sweetwaters Coffee and Tea workers received strong Union and community support during their January 20th “Sip In For Solidarity” organizing rally.

Niccol Can Afford More Than A Nickel Increase For Chipotle Workers

Unions Unite To Protest Company’s Insulting 5¢/Hour Wage Increase Proposal

Teamsters Tell Chipotle: “It’s Time To Wrap Up A Fair First Contract”

Click HERE for Lansing Rally Photos

Solidarity was on vivid display during Local 243’s November 3, 2023 rally at the Lansing Chipotle restaurant.  Teamsters are calling on Chipotle to stop stalling and give their workers a contract that provides them with fair wages and an equal voice.

President Scott Quenneville discusses the Chipotle contract campaign with a reporter from WILX TV in Lansing.  “The Teamsters are here and we are not going anywhere.”

More than 12 months after contract negotiations began on a first agreement for the newly-organized Lansing Chipotle workers, and seeing little to no progress at the bargaining table, Local 243 held a solidarity rally outside the restaurant on November 3^rd to step up pressure on Chipotle to get serious about finalizing a first contract.

“The Teamsters are here and we are not going anywhere,” Local 243 President Scott Quenneville declared.  “We are demanding that Chipotle stop playing games, stop dragging their feet and get serious about bargaining a first contract.”

Quenneville said that in 2022, Chipotle reported massive earnings of $8.6 billion.  In addition, Chipotle CEO Brian Niccol pocketed more than $17 million last year.

Chipotle CEO Brian Niccol’s Message To His Workers: $17 Million For Me ...  A Few Pennies For Thee

“While CEO Niccol takes home more than $17 million, he offers workers an insulting five cent raise,” Quenneville said.  “Chipotle workers are worth more than a nickel and this is why we will continue standing firm to get these hard-working young men and women a first contract that provides them with better wages, hours and an equal voice on the job.”

During the rally outside the Lansing restaurant, Local 243 received support from a diverse group of labor and political allies:

• Teamsters Locals 247, 299, 283, 337 and 406;

• Representatives from the Michigan State AFL-CIO;

• State Representatives Angela Witwer and Donovan McKinney; and

• Nate Engle, Director of Community Engagement for Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

In addition, Michigan Speaker of the House Joe Tate called President Quenneville prior to the rally kickoff to express his support to the Chipotle workers in their ongoing contract fight.

“This was a great display of solidarity, but it’s only the beginning,” Quenneville said.  “If Chipotle thinks they can erode workers’ resolve with delays, they’re wrong.  Our Chipotle members are more determined today than ever.  Teamsters demand Chipotle stop wasting time and give their workers the fair contract they demand and deserve.”

UPS Teamsters Make Contract History

Click below for details about the 2023 Vote

Local 243 Members Ratify the Metro-Detroit UPS Rider By 87.6% to 12.4% Margin

(Click graphic above for the complete UPS vote tally)

Local 243 Wins Voluntary Recognition For Michigan AFL-CIO Employees

Field and Campaign Organizers, Training and Communication workers and Legislative Staff at the Michigan State AFL-CIO in Lansing became Teamsters on April 27th as the AFL-CIO granted voluntary recognition to Local 243 as the employees’ Bargaining Representative.

Click Here For More Information

Local 243’s Online Apparel Store

(Click below to purchase Teamsters Local 243 items)