Teamsters Voted in to Represent Drivers at Kroger Fulfillment Center, Say It’s a First

The Teamsters union has achieved a significant milestone by successfully organizing workers at a Kroger fulfillment center in Romulus, Michigan. This marks the first time the union has organized at such a facility. The drivers at the fulfillment center voted 3-1 in favor of joining Teamsters Local 337, representing a strong majority of the 289 workers affected by the vote.

This development is noteworthy as Kroger, a major grocery chain, already has extensive union representation. According to its recent 10-K report, a majority of Kroger employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements with various international unions. However, the specific unions representing different segments of Kroger's workforce were not detailed in the report.

Todd Lince, president of Local 337 and the Teamsters Warehouse Division representative, praised the workers for their commitment to improving their workplace. "They have set a powerful example for workers everywhere. We are incredibly proud to have organized the first Kroger fulfillment center in the U.S.," he said.

The Romulus facility is part of Kroger’s extensive network, which includes approximately 50 fulfillment centers. These centers support various retail segments operated by Kroger, including brands like Fred Meyer and Ralph's. The election results are pending certification by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), which will confirm the unionization once certified.

Ongoing Battle in California

In a separate development, Teamsters Local 848 in California is embroiled in a legal dispute with the NLRB. The case involves a worker, Nelson Medina, who has previously been at the center of a similar NLRB action against the local. Medina, an employee of Savage Services in Wilmington, California, objected to union payments for non-representational activities.

The NLRB's recent complaint against Local 848 alleges that the union threatened Medina with suspension and fines for not paying these dues, actions deemed to be coercive and restraining under the National Labor Relations Act. The case highlights ongoing tensions between unions and individual workers, especially in non-right-to-work states like California where union membership can be mandatory.

Medina is supported by the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation, which frequently challenges union practices. The foundation asserts that Local 848 violated the 1962 NLRB Philadelphia Sheraton decision, which mandates unions to clearly inform workers of their dues obligations and provide a reasonable opportunity to pay them.

This recent action follows a 2022 case where Medina and his coworkers won a dispute against Local 848, resulting in the union refunding approximately $6,000 over political activity funding.

These developments underscore the ongoing complexities and challenges within labor relations, highlighting the evolving landscape of union representation and workers' rights.

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