McCOOK, IL | Teamsters Local 710 members at the Martin-Brower facility in McCook, Ill. ratified 4-year contracts with their employer last night. Local 710 represents 2 bargaining units at that location: the warehouse unit ratified their contract by ninety percent, and the drivers ratified their contract by a two-to-one margin.

The distribution Teamsters for McDonald’s and Chick-Fil-A secured impressive gains in both the driver and warehouse contracts, including the largest wage increases ever seen, increased contributions for members in the Tier 2 pension, improved bereavement leave, and the ability to split two weeks of vacation into single days.

“Our two bargaining committees did a great job articulating to the company exactly what their members’ priorities were as we sat on negotiations,” said Business Agent John “Shaggy” Rule. “We are proud of the gains we made in both agreements and are looking forward to enforcing them”

The warehouse members also decreased progression from 24 months down to 12 months, improved protections for daily bidding, and strengthened language for increased vacation payouts. Drivers enforced their ability to schedule their own DOT physicals.

“Going into this, we knew that if we didn’t go after what we wanted, we’d never have it,” said Steward Dennis Evitts, Jr, a 15-year warehouse worker. “We stuck to our guns to make sure our rights were protected by strong language throughout our contract to make some big steps forward.”

“Between us and the company, deliberations went well to support the younger members in their pursuit of their retirement,” said Steward Pete Burke, a 21-year driver. “We also conducted a strike authorization vote in the middle of negotiations to ensure the company understood our members would not back down.”

Local 710 represents 81 drivers and 110 warehouse workers at the Martin-Brower facility in McCook, Ill. who handle the distribution of food and beverage products to McDonald’s and Chick-Fil-A restaurants across the greater Chicagoland area.

Bargaining Committees:
Pete Burke, Driver Steward
Greg Mercer, Driver Steward
Dennis Evitts, Jr., Warehouse Steward
Tim Glackin, Warehouse Steward
Victor Rodriguez, Warehouse Steward
John Rule, Business Agent
Brendan Crowley, Legal Counsel