UNFI drivers vote to join Teamsters

ROCK TAVERN – The 100 drivers for UNFI in Montgomery have voted to join Teamsters Local 445 in Rock Tavern.
The company operates a 525,000 square foot warehouse in Montgomery.
Teamsters Local Chief Organizer Jerry Ebert said while money was a significant issue, the bigger issues included winning a pension and a system of job bidding by seniority on driver routes.  Ebert said members also wanted a legitimate grievance process, with recourse to independent arbitration.
The union will now negotiate a contract with UNFI with help from the drivers’ elected negotiating committee.  Local 445 Principal Barry Russell said that usually takes three to six months to negotiate and approve a contract.
The drivers will pay no union dues until they vote to approve their contract, Russell said.