Warehouse Workers Seek
Improvements to Wages, Health Care, and Seniority
(SACRAMENTO,
Calif.)
– After 10 months of contentious contract negotiations, 124 members of
Teamsters Local 150 are on strike at the AmerisourceBergen distribution centre
in Sacramento, Calif. The warehouse workers are seeking a fair wage
progression, lower health care costs, and stronger seniority rights.
“All
we want is a fair deal that improves our workplace, addresses our health care
concerns, and fixes our outdated wage progression,” said Chris Simpkins, a
33-year warehouse worker at AmerisourceBergen. “This used to be a good place to
work, but corporate greed has taken over and the company has lost its
way. We perform an important job that people depend on, and we deserve more.”
With
a current starting rate of $16.50 an hour and a six-year wage progression
topping out at $26 an hour, Teamsters seek an improved wage progression to
better retain workers and prevent turnover.
Local
150 members are also striking over the high costs of health insurance. The
average worker pays 25 per cent of their monthly health insurance premiums,
which can result in more than $6,000 per year, in addition to out-of-pocket
expenses and copays.
“It’s
shameful that a health care company can’t provide its workers with an adequate
and affordable health plan,” said Dale Wentz, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 150.
“Our members are fed up with the hypocrisy and greed, and they will fight to
get the pay, benefits, and working conditions they deserve.”
AmerisourceBergen
is the third-largest pharmaceutical wholesale and distribution company globally
and ranks 11th on the Fortune 500 list of the wealthiest companies in the U.S.
Local
150 has filed an unfair labour practice charge with the National Labor Relations
Board for the company’s improper and retaliatory behaviour. The labour dispute
could extend to other Teamsters-represented distribution centres in Seattle,
Columbus, Ohio, Amityville, N.Y., and Puerto Rico.
https://teamster.org/2024/03/teamsters-strike-amerisourcebergen/