97% of Teamsters Authorize Strike as
Company Funded by Taxpayers Hires Union Buster
DUBLIN,
Ohio, Oct. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sutphen
Corporation workers represented by Teamsters Local 284 have voted
by an overwhelming 97 percent to authorize a strike, as their
current contract is set to expire on October
12, 2024. These 90 Teamsters produce and assemble the
apparatuses that firefighters across the nation use to save lives.
Sutphen products are purchased with taxpayer money by cities and
counties across the U.S. The company is spending that money on a
union buster and refuses to negotiate in good faith.
"Our members took a beating from the pandemic and inflation.
They are fighting for a good contract and to protect the company
from the consequences of using taxpayer dollars for union busting,"
said Mark Vandak, President of Local
284. "At a time when over 70 percent of Americans support unions,
we know that elected officials and firefighters support our
members. It's time for Sutphen to support the workers who make them
profitable as well and to offer up a contract that rewards them for
the important nature of their work."
In addition to the problematic use of taxpayer dollars, the
website of the lawyer representing Sutphen in negotiations states
that he focuses on "union avoidance" and "protecting companies from
unions, OSHA, and employees." Earlier this week, Local 284 sent an
email to company president Drew
Sutphen and head of strategy and culture advances
Shelby Sutphen Chambers outlining
concerns with Sutphen's association with this type of extreme
rhetoric, which the company has failed to respond to.
"Our members believe management has given the union buster
control of negotiations. He gets paid no matter what happens, but
management and the workforce will have to pick up the pieces when
he is long gone and counting his money," said Josh Shreve, a shop steward with Local 284.
"This is a betrayal of the communities that depend on Sutphen and
the hardworking Teamsters who have made this company millions of
dollars."
A federal mediator has been assigned to the negotiations, but
Sutphen has refused to confirm that it will meet with Local 284
before the contract expires. The Teamsters have filed unfair labor
practice charges against the company for refusing to bargain in
good faith and threatening employees with retaliation if they
strike.
Teamsters Local 284 represents working people in Central Ohio in various industries, including
transportation, warehouse, aviation, and government service. For
more information, visit teamsters284.unionactive.com.
Contact:
Mark Vandak, (614)
228-0727
mvandak@teamsters284.org
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SOURCE Teamsters Local 284