Workers at Southern Glazers in LR, Fayetteville join Teamsters union

Wine and liquor distribution workers at Southern Glazer’s have joined Teamsters Local 878, according to a news release.

The 31 drivers based in Little Rock and Fayetteville organized to address concerns on the job. Southern Glazer’s is one of the largest wine and liquor distributors in the U.S.

“First and foremost, thank God for answering our prayers, and thank you, Southern Glazer’s, for acknowledging our card check,” said Wade Rowe, a driver at Southern Glazer’s and a new member of Local 878. “We can accomplish so much more as a team than we could as individuals. We are looking forward to a much brighter future now that we are part of the Teamsters Union. Our voices will finally be heard.”

This is the second group of Southern Glazer’s workers to organize with the Teamsters in the past 60 days. Workers said they are organizing for higher pay, improved health care benefits, retirement security, better working conditions, and respect, according to the release.

“We congratulate and welcome these workers to our local union and look forward to helping them negotiate a strong first contract that provides great pay, good benefits, and safe working conditions,” said John Gale, a business agent at Local 878.

With the help of the Teamsters Brewery, Bakery, and Soft Drink Conference, Local 878 negotiated a card check agreement with the company. The workers’ union authorization cards were counted, and Southern Glazer’s formally recognized Local 878 as the group’s bargaining representative. With passage of the union vote, contract negotiations will begin.

“Congratulations to these workers on becoming Teamsters,” said Jeff Padellaro, Director of the Brewery, Bakery, and Soft Drink Conference. “We will continue to help workers at the company and across the industry secure strong Teamsters representation and contracts.”

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.3 million people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico.