MOKENA, IL | Negotiations with Teamsters Local 710 and Breakthru ended abruptly today after the company refused to continue negotiations and gave their last, best and final offer, which the committee does not endorse and the IBT will not approve.

“Breakthru thinks that they can turn the members against our committee, after they unanimously voted to strike, and we are working without an extension agreement – our members are ready to go on the street,” said President Del Schaefer. “Breakthru thinks they can play games and sow division. They keep asking what they are getting from this new agreement, and we have reminded them repeatedly that they would get 116 drivers delivering products to their customers and keep their business running.”

Negotiations had gained momentum last week, and the parties had tentatively agreed to nearly all proposals, except wages and retirement benefits. The Union secured defined bidding language, protections against palletized cases, and improved language throughout the entire contract to address many operational problems that the members deal with day in and day out. This week, Breakthru was unable to respond to the Union yesterday, then came back this morning with a regressive offer demanding that Local 710 accept concessionary language from one of the Company’s proposals that they had previously withdrawn weeks ago. That language would eliminate protections for 710 Drivers who choose to honor a picket line of another Breakthru bargaining unit.

“Breakthru is holding our contract hostage because they are still bitter about an extended picket line that our members honored last year,” said Schaefer. “To expect our members to turn scab against their Brothers and Sisters is insulting. If this company would just treat their workers with dignity and respect, they wouldn’t have to worry about extended picket lines.”

Director for the IBT’s Brewery, Beverage and Soft Drink Division Jeff Padellaro and Assistant Director Steve Beck have been in active communication with the committee and have already committed that the IBT will not approve the company’s offer to vote, and gave their full support to Local 710 with approved enhanced strike benefits should the Drivers go on strike.

“We have some good things on the table, so we were hopeful that we could have reached an agreement yesterday, but they came in here with this disrespectful attitude that really sums up why we feel the way we do and why we have so many problems at work,” said Committeeman and Steward Brian Hill. “Now it’s April 16, and the members are pissed. We’re sick and tired of being treated like second class citizens who aren’t the reason that their company is successful.”

Local 710 will continue to be in active communication with the IBT and all drivers at Breakthru. Drivers are instructed to continue working as directed until the Local tells them otherwise. More information will be shared as the situation progresses.