Teamsters Tell 7-Eleven 'It's Too High a Price to Pay for Fuel'

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International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Nov 19, 2011, 01:00 ET

Union Members Educate Customers at Southern California 7-Elevens

SOUTH EL MONTE, Calif., Nov. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Tankhaul drivers and members of Teamsters Local Union 986 in South El Monte, Calif., hand billed customers outside of area 7-Elevens this morning to protest KAG West's destruction of union jobs. KAG West supplies gasoline to 7-Eleven stores.

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"We want respect on the job, better pay and job security," said Avery Scott, a tankhaul driver and member of Local 986. "KAG West has singled us out by taking back the hourly wage raise that they gave everyone else in the company. We all work hard for this company and we deserve better treatment."

More than 380 tankhaul drivers working for KAG West are represented by Teamsters Local 986. The union and the company have been bargaining to achieve a first contract for over 14 months, but the company continues to delay contract talks or show up unprepared to bargain.

"It seems like KAG West doesn't care about good jobs," said Frank Basaldua, a tankhaul driver and member of Teamsters Local 986. "They just want to cut, cut, cut – but that hasn't stopped us from continuing to work safely and efficiently. That's what we we're hired to do."

Teamster tankhaul drivers from local unions across the United States are rallying behind the contract bargaining for Local 986. Throughout the country, Teamsters represent more than 10,000 tankhaul drivers in every state.

"Customers at 7-Eleven were surprised by the way KAG West was treating its employees," said Chris Griswold, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 986. "We know with the strength of our members across the country behind us we will be able to turn the direction of these contract negotiations around for the better."

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

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters