October 13, 2023: Nearly sixteen months after voting to join Teamsters Local 231, and after voting to authorize a strike, a group of 34 employees at Petrogas West went to work today with the protections of a strong Teamster contract. The agreement secures major improvements to every aspect of the group’s working conditions – including wage increases, a new bonus system, increases in the 401(k) and the protections of Just Cause discipline.

Negotiations were slow and contentious, but became far more urgent after a strike vote in August – and the reality of their Union sisters and brothers honoring a picket line at their facilities. The remarkable contract victory came from the solidarity of the new group, the leadership of their rank-and-file bargaining committee who carried the same courage and resolve as hardened, decades-long Teamsters, and the solidarity of the other Unions who pledged their support.

 “This group was nonunion a year ago and they were living at the mercy of management. Now their pay, benefits, and schedules are secure. These improvements are exceptional for a first contract and were only possible because this group stayed united”, said Rich Ewing, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 231.