Local 986 News

Employees Seek Better Wages and Benefits, Strong Voice on the Job

(WASHINGTON) – Workers at Parsec, Inc. in Elwood, Ill., an intermodal rail transportation company, have voted overwhelmingly to form their union as members of Teamsters Local 179. The win is the second major worker victory at the company in the last nine months, and there are 507 intermodal workers in the bargaining unit.

“Following the Teamsters Local 986 victory at Parsec in Commerce, California, this victory in the Chicago area builds even more worker strength at the company,” said Jim Hoffa, Teamsters General President. “The Teamsters continue to build power in the global supply chain and this victory shows that workers who want a more secure future are turning to the Teamsters.”

“The Teamsters successfully organized Parsec members in the Los Angeles area, which empowered workers to unite and win right here in Illinois,” said Tom Flynn, President of Local 179 in Joliet, Ill. “These hardworking men and women deserve real representation, and they are finally getting it.”

“We knew that the only way to win the improvements we deserve is to form our union as Teamsters and then begin negotiating a legally binding contract,” said Ronnie Brazier, a driver/operator. “We are very excited to finally have a voice on the job so that we can improve our lives.”

The workers received tremendous support from Teamster-represented drivers who came to the Elwood terminal for deliveries and pickups, many of whom encouraged the Parsec workers to remain strong, united and focused on their mission to organize.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @teamsters and “like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.