Los Angeles, Ca. – Drivers at KWK Trucking in Los Angeles, a contractor for DHL Express, voted to be
teamsters represented by Teamsters Local 986.
“It feels wonderful being a Teamster, seeing our long effort finally pay off,” said Sergio Rodriguez, a lead driver and five-year employee. “We work with drivers from DHL who have a contract that includes strong retirement security, great health care and other benefits. We want to negotiate a strong first contract that will provide these kinds of improvements.”
KWK Trucking hired four union busters to conduct daily captive audience meetings, one-on-one meetings and attempted very hard to persuade the drivers to vote no. Although under pressure from management not to unionize the employees said yes to IBT. There are 108 drivers in the bargaining unit and the vote took place Thursday, Feb. 28.
“The drivers remained strong and united throughout the entire process and were not fazed by the company’s union-busting tactics,” said Chris Griswold, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 986 in South El Monte. “We look forward to negotiating a strong first contract that addresses the drivers’ needs.”
There are three other non-union KWK Trucking stations within Local 986’s jurisdiction that expect to join the Teamsters.
