Drivers At Carl's Jr. Contractor MBM Corporation Win Teamster Representation

Teamsters Local 63 Poised to Begin Negotiations with Berkshire Hathaway and McLane Distribution Subsidiary MBM Corporation

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International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Aug 29, 2014, 02:42 ET

COVINA, Calif., Aug. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Labor Relations Board recently announced the certification of Teamsters Local 63 as the bargaining representative for 72 drivers at MBM Corporation in Ontario, Calif.

"The drivers have stood and will continue to stand firm in their demands for a legally binding contract that spells out their wages, benefits and working conditions," said Randy Korgan, Organizing Director for Teamsters Joint Council 42. "Teamsters in Southern California and throughout the country are behind these drivers and their demands 100 percent."

"We demonstrated an overwhelming majority of support for the union and petitioned the company for union recognition early this year," said Charles Davenport, a driver at MBM in Ontario. "We could have bargained a contract by now but the company would not agree to our request. Now they will be legally obligated to bargain with the union. We hope the company is ready to negotiate in good faith."

According to federal law, the company must now legally recognize Teamsters Local 63 as the exclusive bargaining representative of the 72 drivers. The National Labor Relations Act requires the company to negotiate in good faith to reach a collective bargaining agreement signed by both parties.

Teamsters Local 63 sent the company a request to commence negotiations as soon as possible. "The company has known of the drivers' desire for Teamster representation and a contract for more than six months," said Korgan. "They're familiar with the issues we want to address and there's no reason to stall this process any longer."

From February to June, tens of thousands of patrons were provided information regarding health and safety issues at Carl's Jr. and El Pollo Loco as well as issues regarding MBM drivers' working conditions. McLane Distribution, a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, purchased MBM Corporation in 2012.

"McLane is a trucking and grocery giant that has never had unionized employees before – and neither has its subsidiary, MBM Foodservice," said Steve Vairma, Director of the Teamsters Warehouse Division. "This is a major victory for Teamsters Local 63 and McLane/MBM employees and will be felt by workers throughout the industry and across the country."

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.

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SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters