BOLINGBROOK, IL | The Teamsters Local 710 Bargaining Committee for Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits has secured the strongest tentative agreement that the bargaining unit has ever had with wage and benefit improvements across the board. 

The committee met several times over the past couple of months and stood firm on numerous issues throughout the contract, and as a result, secured impressive gains in wages, pension benefits, safety, vacations, and more.

“Our committee did an incredible job at the bargaining table to reach an impressive tentative agreement that really speaks to all the effort that was put into these negotiations,” said Secretary-Treasurer Mike Cales. “The benefits we secured truly reflect the hard work these members do day in and day out, and it is very well deserved. Our members worked hard throughout the pandemic years to keep Southern successful. They deserved a good contract and we are proud to deliver one.”

Improvements include:

• Minimum $4.80 per hour raise over the four year contract
• Elimination of two-tier pay by the end of the contract (equal pay statewide)
• Increase to pension contributions and healthcare contributions
• Additional hourly increases to premium pay, including night shift, tandem trucks, and CDL-A trucks
• Increases to helper incentive bonus
• Ability to segment some vacation weeks or get a buyout
• Earn 4 weeks vacation after 14 years (instead of 15)
• Improvements to safety

“There were some very passionate discussions on both sides, and our stewards stood together to get what’s best for our members,” said Business Agent and Bargaining Chairman Bernie Sherlock. “Our committee spent countless hours crafting thoughtful proposals, which led to such a great agreement. We are proud to bring it back to the members.”

Meetings with the rank-and-file will be scheduled ahead of a ratification vote in the coming weeks. If ratified, the new agreement will take effect retroactively to April 1 and go through March 31, 2026.

Local 710 represents more than 180 liquor and wine distribution drivers at Illinois facilities in Bolingbrook, Rockford, Springfield, and Mount Vernon who deliver products to bars, restaurants, and stores across the state.

Teamsters Local 710 is an affiliate of Teamsters Joint Council 25 and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, providing strong Union representation to more than 13,500 members across the midwest.