MOKENA, IL | The Teamsters Local 710 Bargaining Committee for distribution workers at Jewel-Osco, an Albertson’s subsidiary, has met several times to secure new agreements for the Warehouse and Transportation members, both of which expire on March 8.

The Warehouse committee has met with the Company several times over the past month, including for 3 daylong sessions this week. The Committee has secured 22 tentative agreements so far. The Transportation committee is meeting today and tomorrow, and negotiations will resume next week and continue until the March 8, 2026 expiration for both groups.

“We’ve made some good progress so far, but there is still work to do on many of the core issues facing our members ,” said Secretary-Treasurer Mike Cales. “Our members are frustrated with the way management attempts to strategically misinterpret our contracts, forcing us to spend an exorbitant amount of time shoring up protections through language that is necessary to spell out how things are meant to operate. Nonetheless, the Committee has stayed focused on standing up to management and expanding protections to those who work tirelessly to make Jewel’s warehouse operation possible.”

The parties have met several times since January, but progress has been slow. The Teamsters have had plenty of open dialogue with management to explain proposals and why they are on the table with real life examples, but discussions are challenging when it feels like a mannequin could do a better job than members of the management team understanding how the warehouse works. 

“Our ‘House Rules’ have been a big part of the conversation at the table with how our day-to-day operations work,” said 36-year Warehouse Steward Larry Brandon. “The problem is, management doesn’t want to follow them, and we are sick and tired of how they disrespect us on the job and violate our seniority constantly. It’s time for them to really hear what we are saying so we can move forward and secure a contract that works for the members and for Jewel’s operation.”

The major outstanding issues for Warehouse include protections from automation, the use of third-party workers, scheduling protections, retirement benefits, wages, and health benefits. 

The Union will continue to share updates as negotiations evolve.

Teamsters Local 710 represents more than 900 warehouse workers, drivers, and dispatchers who work out of the Melrose Park distribution facility, delivering products to more that 180+ Jewel-Osco grocery stores throughout the greater Chicagoland area.