Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits Drivers Stand Up for Their Rights

Teamsters Local 710 Continues Positive Momentum from Negotiations

Posted on September 26, 2016 in Local News

Local 710 Bolingbrook Drivers and Business Agents at the latest JLM meeting. From left to right: Business Agent Bernie Sherlock, Pat Keenan, Steward Kevin Smyth, Business Agent Simon McNamara, Mike Donohue, Steward Dan Dougherty

As part of last year’s contract negotiations, the Teamsters Local 710 Bargaining Committee at Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits bargained for and secured Joint Labor Management (JLM) meetings. The benefit to workers is paramount — rank and file members and Local 710 representatives now meet quarterly with management to discuss workplace issues and find solutions to ensure members’ quality of life and rights are continually heard and addressed.

Many JLM meetings have already been conducted since the Teamster contract was ratified in September 2015. Members from Bolingbrook meet face-to-face with management, while members from Southern Glazer’s three other Illinois facilities join in via conference call.

One of the major problems at Southern was the culture in the workplace. Having these JLMs has allowed that culture to change for the better and strengthen the bargaining unit as a whole.

The members are making their voices heard loud and clear.

Bernie Sherlock
Local 710 Business Agent

Improvements to routing, hiring new bargaining unit drivers, ensuring appropriate equipment and supplies are available to members — these and other issues have been addressed thanks to the new opportunity for JLMs.

The Local 710 drivers work out of Illinois facilities in Bolingbrook, Rockford, Springfield and Mount Vernon, distributing liquor and wine products to retailers throughout the state.

Any questions regarding the JLM meetings may be directed to the Local 710 stewards or business agents.