After a nearly three-week strike, US Foods reached a contract agreement with the Teamsters Local 705 union, which represents US Foods drivers in Bensenville, Illinois, U.S.A.
The new five-year agreement provides wage, benefits, and healthcare contributions increases that build on the “highly competitive offerings drivers in Bensenville, Illinois, currently receive,” the Rosemont, Illinois-based foodservice giant said.
The contract includes “significant wage increases,” according to Teamsters Local 705, but neither the union nor US Foods would reveal the increase.
The tentative agreement with the union, reached through “good faith” bargaining efforts enables US Foods to continue to grow the business as it serves its valued customers in the Chicago area, the company said. US Foods expects the contract to be ratified on 3 February.
Drivers represented by Teamsters Local 705 began an unfair labor practices (ULP) strike on 8 January at the US Foods distribution center in Bensenville after weeks of contentious contract negotiations, the union said.
“With this strike, the Teamsters have struck a blow that will resonate throughout corporate America,” Teamsters Warehouse Division Director and Teamsters Central Region International Vice President Tom Erickson said. “US Foods Teamsters held the line until they secured the contract they deserved. Workers in the food service and grocery industry are organizing with the Teamsters like never before to hold greedy employers accountable.”
The Teamsters represent approximately 5,500 US Foods workers nationwide.
In related news, US Foods will release its fourth quarter and fiscal year 2023 results on 15 February. Both US Foods and Houston, Texas, U.S.A.-based broadline distributor Sysco reported increased sales and profits in their most recent quarters.
Photo courtesy of Teamsters Local 705
