MOKENA, IL | The Teamsters Local 710 Bargaining Committee for the Martin Brower Warehouse in McCook, Ill. met at the end of December to continue negotiations for their new contract. Negotiations have been ongoing since September.

The Union reached a tentative agreement on most non-economic issues, but the more challenging part of negotiations is up next when the parties move into monetary proposals.

“The most difficult thing in these negotiations has been making sure to set aside our emotions and consider the facts,” said Union Steward and Committee Member D.J. Evitts. “That has been a considerable challenge, and understandably so. There are many issues that we’ve been trying to work through, even before we got to the bargaining table.”

An extension agreement is in place, and the parties will reconvene next week.

“We’re motivated to get this done,” said Business Agent John “Shaggy” Rule. “Our committee, guided by our stewards Brother Evitts and Brother Glackin, has been bringing the voices of the entire warehouse to the table each time we meet. We’ve finally made some progress, but we still have a lot to work through to bring an agreement back to the members that we’re proud of.”

The nearly 80 warehouse workers, along with about 60 Local 710 delivery drivers, handle the distribution of food and restaurant supplies to McDonald’s restaurants throughout the Chicagoland area.

Teamsters Local 710 represents more than 13,500 workers across the Midwest and is an affiliate of Teamsters Joint Council 25.