Sysco and Teamsters Face Off in Houston: Strike Looms as Contract Deadline Nears

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) have threatened strikes across multiple states if their demands are not met with foodservice distribution giant Sysco and other major food distributors and retailers.

The most pressing issue between the two sides is focused in the Houston area as the contract between IBT’s Teamsters Local 988, which represents truck drivers in the city, is preparing to strike if it cannot reach a new contract agreement with Sysco Houston before the current deal expires on January 17...

ILA and USMX Avoid Work Stoppage with New Six-Year Contract

The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) reached a tentative agreement on all items for a new six-year Master Contract on January 8, per a joint press release.

The two sides agreed to continue to operate under the current contract until the union can meet with its full Wage Scale Committee and schedule a ratification vote, and USMX members can ratify the terms of the final contract, per the joint statement.

“We are pleased to announce that ILA and USMX have reached a...

ILA and USMX Set to Resume Talks as Port Strike Threat Looms

Talks between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), the union representing over 45,000 dockworkers from Maine to Texas, and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) are set to resume on January 7.   

ILA and the USMX reportedly met in private on January 5 as both sides try to reach an agreement over the primary automation issue that has been raised since talks last stalled in November, according to industry publication FreightWaves.

The contract between the ILA and USMX, which represents ports and ocean carriers, expires on January 15...

Maersk Advises Cargo Removal as Threat of US Port Strikes Persists

Major shipping firm Maersk has advised its customers to remove cargo from US East and Gulf Coast ports, in preparation for potential strike action by port workers in mid-January.

Negotiations between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) union and the employers’ representative the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) on a new contract for port workers appear to have stalled, with the deadline of January 15, 2025, looming.

In a customer advisory statement released on December 30, Maersk said, “If no agreement is reached by [January 15], a coast-wide...

Teamsters at Sysco Houston Authorize Strike

Over 430 drivers, warehouse workers, and mechanics represented by Teamsters Local 988 have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike after Sysco failed to present an acceptable contract offer.

"Nothing our members are demanding is unreasonable," said Robert Mele, President of Local 988. "These workers want what everyone in this country deserves: fair wages, quality health care, and a secure retirement. If Sysco refuses to get serious at the bargaining table, we are ready to hold them accountable for their greed."

The Teamsters represent more than 10,000 workers at Sysco...

Costco Refuses to Accept 98 Percent of Teamsters Proposals

Yesterday, Costco rejected or refused to accept nearly all Teamsters' proposals, including critical language on seniority, inclement weather, paid family leave, bereavement policies, sick time, and safeguards against surveillance. By dismissing approximately 98 percent of the proposed provisions, the wholesale giant has signaled a troubling unwillingness to bargain in good faith and is taking an aggressive anti-union stance.

"The clock is ticking, and instead of engaging seriously at the bargaining table, Costco continues to waste time with surface bargaining," said...

Workers at Spanish Pork Slaughterhouse Litera Meat on Strike

Employees at Litera Meat, one of Europe’s largest slaughterhouses, have continued to strike since December 10 after negotiations between the company and employees failed.

Litera Meat started operations in 2019, in Huesca, Spain, and has a maximum daily processing capacity of 32,000 hogs, and around 1,600 employees, the firm said.

It is also the largest processing facility owned by 

the Italian company Pini Group and can process more carcasses than all other Pini facilities across Italy and Hungary combined, according to company data.   

CNT worker’s union...

NCC Joins in Urging ILA, US Maritime Alliance to Return to Bargaining Table

NCC recently joined hundreds of organizations representing American manufacturers, farmers and agribusinesses, wholesalers, retailers, restaurants, importers, exporters, distributors, transportation and logistics providers, and other supply chain stakeholders, in a letter urging both the International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance to return to the bargaining table with the goal of reaching a new labor contract before the new Jan. 15 contract expiration date.

“We know significant issues remain between the parties,” the groups wrote. “However, we continue to believe the only...

Tuesday: Costco Teamsters to Rally as Contract Negotiations Begin

Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien, Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer Fred Zuckerman, and hundreds of rank-and-file Costco Teamsters will rally in Long Beach, Calif., on Tuesday, December 10, as they gear up for the start of national negotiations impacting 18,000 Costco workers nationwide.

Earlier this week, the Teamsters were forced to file charges against Costco for blatantly violating federal labor law and the current national master agreement. The company's conduct was a calculated effort to undermine workers' rights and disrupt the collective...

Import Cargo Rising as Higher Tariffs and Potential Port Strike Approach

With a strike possible again next month at East Coast and Gulf Coast container ports and President-elect Donald Trump planning to increase tariffs, the nation’s major container ports are expected to see a continued surge in imports through next spring, according to the Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

“Either a strike or new tariffs would be a blow to the economy and retailers are doing what they can to avoid the impact of...

NFI, Massive Industry Coalition Urge Resumption of Port Labor Talks

The National Fisheries Institute (NFI), along with a catalog of organizations from farming, agribusiness, restaurant, and other sectors, sent a letter to the leaders of the International Longshoremen’s Alliance (ILA) and the United State Maritime Alliance (USMX) calling on both sides to resume port labor talks.

Only weeks remain until a contract extension between port employers and union longshore workers expires, paving the way for another port strike at major U.S. ports along the East and Gulf coasts.

“It is imperative for the parties to resume negotiations...

Delays Expected at Brazilian Ports Due to Indefinite Strike Starting November 26

Federal Revenue auditors in Brazil voted to maintain slowdowns at customs and begin an indefinite strike starting November 26. This decision was made during the National Assembly of the Brazilian National Union of Federal Revenue Auditors on 21 November, following the Ministry of Management and Innovation's (MGI) refusal to negotiate adjustments to salaries.

The strike intensifies movements that began in July, with auditors demanding salary adjustments and urging the government to open negotiations.

Recent talks with the MGI's Labour Relations Secretariat...

How a Port Strike Could Ripple Through the Ag Sector

The port strike has entered its third day and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) has signaled that they are willing to resume negotiations with the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA), but without preconditions made by the union. 

In an update provided Wednesday, USMX stated: "Reaching an agreement will require negotiating – and our full focus is on how to return to the table to further discuss these vital components, many of which are intertwined. We cannot agree to preconditions to return to bargaining – but we remain committed to bargaining in good...

Live Updates: Key Developments in the East and Gulf Coast Port Strike

October 3: The port strike has entered its third day and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) signaled that they are willing to resume negotiations with the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA), but without preconditions made by the union. 

In an update provided Wednesday, USMX stated: "Reaching an agreement will require negotiating – and our full focus is on how to return to the table to further discuss these vital components, many of which are intertwined. We cannot agree to preconditions...

US Foods Reaches Agreement With Illinois Union To End Strike

Early this month reports began circulating that US Foods employees in the Teamsters Local Union No. 705 in Chicago were preparing to strike. US Foods has now confirmed that they have reached a “fully recommended tentative agreement” with the union representing the company’s drivers. 

Local 705’s contract at US Foods expired on December 29. A few days later Teamsters Local Union 705 signed a charge against US Foods, stating “refusal to bargain” and “bad faith bargaining.” Local 705 Secretary-Treasurer Juan Campos, while on a worksite...