The Teamsters Local 710 Bargaining Committee met again today in Park Ridge to hear the company’s response to their proposal as presented at the last negotiating session this past Wednesday.

The company proposed a response to the union’s proposals from Wednesday by withdrawing several of their initial proposals and introducing an economic and health and welfare proposal.

Jewel Driver Proposal »  Jewel Warehouse Proposal »

The union has put in formal information requests for several different items to help clarify reasoning behind the company’s latest proposals. One in particular is in regard to the company’s deceptive health and welfare proposal. The weekly contribution rates as presented only pertain to those employees participating in the Healthy Pursuits program, which only constitutes for 29.1% of the employees as a whole.

The committee has been assigned to discuss which proposals are more important with the membership. Many committee members spoke during the joint bargaining sessions regarding the proposals as presented by the employer:

“The company’s proposals were unrealistic.” – Gary Freigo, Driver

“The treatment of dispatchers was a slap in the face.” – Tom Tappert, Dispatcher/Load Planner

“Jewel’s economic proposal was truly an insult.” – Dick Bartolo, Warehouse

“The way the company uses Healthy Pursuits gives a lot of road blocks and caveats, making it difficult for employees to participate. The plan is baloney.” – Jim Musto, Warehouse

“It’s a shame that they did not offer the new hires a raise.” – Jaime Vazquez, Warehouse

“I think it’s very disrespectful the way the employer is talking about the 20 percent workforce.” – Keith Kazluski, Warehouse

“The company’s proposals are an insult to the entire collective bargaining unit.” – Eric Atterberg, Warehouse

Questions and concerns may be directed to any member of the bargaining committee. Members are encouraged to voice their opinions on priorities and the company’s latest proposals.

Teamsters Local 710 is an affiliate of Teamsters Joint Council 25, America’s premier labor union for Chicago, Illinois and northwest Indiana.

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