FRANKLIN PARK, IL | The 650 Teamsters Local 710 members who work in the Warehousing division at the Jewel Food Stores Distribution Center in Melrose Park, Ill. ratified a new five-year agreement last night by a three-to-one margin.

“This is a great win for our members in warehousing, and I’m extremely happy for them,” said Cales. “Our committee worked diligently to bring 650 voices to the table, and were successful in securing new benefits and improvements for everyone in the warehouse unit. The new changes make huge strides in bridging the gaps between members working side by side, further strengthening the solidarity within this group. I’m looking forward to enforcing this strong contract and holding the employer to their words said at the bargaining table.”

Full details on the newly ratified Warehousing agreement will be posted soon. Benefits will take effect immediately.

The 240 members in the Transportation division rejected their tentative agreement with 125 no votes to 59 yes.

The Union has reached out to the employer and the parties are in the process of scheduling time to reconvene as soon as possible. Prior to that, the Union will be meeting with the transportation members and will schedule a Zoom meeting to discuss the issues at hand.

“Our drivers, dispatchers, and load planners have made their voices clear to Jewel: this is not good enough,” said Secretary-Treasurer Mike Cales. “While our committee secured several improvements in the transportation agreement, we did make it clear at the table that some issues are still problematic, and now the members have collectively made that even more clear. Local 710 and the Company are actively looking at a date to meet in the very near future to discuss the issues.”

Additional details will be shared once they are known, and members are directed to report to work as per usual until further instruction from the Union.