Teamsters at Upstate Niagara Cooperatives Ratify Union Contract

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Dec 20, 2012, 11:24 ET

CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y., Dec. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Drivers, Warehouse and Production Personnel employed by Upstate Niagara Cooperatives in Cheektowaga and Jamestown, N.Y. have overwhelmingly ratified a new collective bargaining agreement that provides annual wage increases, language improvement and benefit enhancements.

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Represented by Teamsters Local 264 in Cheektowaga, the 160 members at what is more commonly know as Upstate Milk, approved the new four-year contract by a margin of 8 to 1.

"It was a tough time at the table, but by sticking together and remaining united, we were able to obtain an outstanding contract in a very tough economic environment," said Teamsters Local 264 business agent Joe Nowak who negotiated the contract. "We look forward to working to help the company grow their very successful business."

David O'Brien, a shop steward at Upstate Milk and a member of the bargaining committee felt that the union was able to make real gains for the members despite the growing trend of companies asking for concessions at the bargaining table.

"We are extremely happy to have the Teamsters behind us," O'Brien said. "Other area employers are closing or cutting back, but as Teamsters we were able to negotiate wage increases and benefit improvements."

Teamsters Local 264 represents nearly 4,500 members throughout Western New York in both the Public and Private Sectors. Their membership includes many workers in the dairy, bakery, beverage and warehouse industries, as well as numerous area municipal highway departments and law enforcement groups.

Founded in 1903, the Teamsters Union represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and "like" us on Facebook.

SOURCE Teamsters Local 264