MOKENA, IL | After a long 75 days on the picket line, the Drivers and Helpers at Mahoney have successfully, overwhelmingly ratified their new contract – and for a majority of the bargaining unit, this is also their very first Teamster contract. 

“This was an uphill battle with an employer who was not used to the strength and solidarity that comes with a Union contract and workers willing to fight for it,” said Secretary-Treasurer Mike Cales. “These 48 men stood shoulder to shoulder for nearly 11 long weeks through the winter without wavering. Their resilience on the picket line will set a tone of strength and unity as they return to work, finally under the protections of a Union contract.”

The Drivers & Helpers successfully secured all the guarantees that come with a new contract, from grievance machinery to retirement contributions to holidays, and a variety of protections and benefits in between. All members will see guaranteed wage increases throughout the 3-year agreement, with additional increases for members being paid less to bring everyone closer together. The Union also negotiated the Local 710 Health & Welfare Plan for all members, giving everyone improved and reliable coverage, with most seeing significant savings from their previous employer-sponsored plan. Members also secured improvements to paid time off, including five sick days by the end of the agreement.

“The solidarity these members demonstrated is definitely one for the history books, and I’m so proud to have been a part of that,” said Business Agent Mike Ramirez. “Before this, they didn’t really know one another, since they all started on different shifts throughout the early morning hours. This strike unified the entire workforce as one, which will be their biggest strength as they go back to work.”

Local 710 has represented a small group of City Drivers for years, and negotiations began last June. Shortly thereafter, the Unit greatly expanded when all of Mahoney’s Drivers and Helpers voted to join Local 710.

“Our new members dove right into learning exactly what a Union is, and not the easy way,” said President Del Schaefer. “It takes incredible courage to go out on strike to fight for a first-time contract. Local 710 was prepared to support them every step of the way to show them what it means to be a part of something bigger. From agents taking shifts to man the line with the members day and night, to support from both Local 710’s and the IBT’s strike funds, all combined with the members’ fortitude led to a solid victory.”

“I want to thank General President Sean O’Brien, General Secretary-Treasurer Fred Zuckerman, and IBT Director Chuck Stiles, who were instrumental to our success,” said Cales. “Their attention and quick response to provide the extra financial support our members needed meant we went from request to approval to checks in our members’ hands within just a few days. There’s no doubt in my mind that without the enhanced benefits from both strike funds, we would not be in the position we are in today. I also want to thank the members who sat on our Negotiating Committee and Brother Ramirez for their hard work at the bargaining table, plus our staff who worked tirelessly to keep the line operational.”

Mahoney Drivers and Helpers work out of three facilities across Illinois that pick up used cooking oil and clean grease traps for a variety of customers, including several large restaurant chains.

Teamsters Local 710 represents more than 13,500 members across Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa, and is affiliated with Teamsters Joint Council 25.