Workers at Center of NLRB'S 'Joint Employer' Ruling Vote to Join Teamsters Union

Waste Workers in Browning-Ferris Case Win Union Vote, Ballots Finally Counted

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International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Sep 04, 2015, 09:35 ET

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The California waste workers at the center of a recent major National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) 'joint employer' ruling have voted overwhelmingly in favor of representation by Teamsters Local 350 in Daly City, Calif.

Workers with Browning-Ferris Industries (BFI), which is now owned by Republic Services, cast their ballots in a union representation election in April 2014. The ballots were impounded for 16 months during their legal case concerning joint employer status. On Sept. 4 those ballots were opened, and the workers had voted by more than a 4-1 margin in favor of Teamsters representation.

Last week, the NLRB ruled in favor of a joint employer standard, providing an additional step to protect and provide a voice to millions of American workers by requiring more of the employers that rely on temporary or contracted workers to come to the bargaining table.

The ruling stemmed from the union election petition filed by Teamsters Local 350 naming BFI and its staffing agency, Leadpoint Services, as joint employers of the sorters working at BFI's facility. BFI maintained significant control over the wages and working conditions of the workers employed through Leadpoint. BFI and Leadpoint denied that they were joint employers and the case went to the NLRB.

"This is a great day. We are looking forward to moving forward to negotiate a contract with both Republic and Leadpoint that will ensure the best working conditions for our members," said Larry Daugherty, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 350.

"This is a big victory for these workers who patiently stood together to change their own lives for the better, and helped millions of other workers in the process," said Ron Herrera, Director of the Teamsters Solid Waste and Recycling Division.

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 on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.

Contact:
Kara Deniz, (202) 624-6911
[email protected]

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SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters