Drivers at J.R. Simplot vote to join Teamsters Local 431

Drivers at J.R. Simplot in California have voted to join Teamsters Local 431, marking a significant milestone in their efforts to secure a union contract. The decision, reached after months of organizing, comes as 16 workers at the Helm facility prepare to deliver hazardous agricultural materials, including herbicides, pesticides, and insecticides, to retail customers and farms across the region.

"Workers at the Helm facility approached Local 431 with a strong desire to be heard and to secure better working conditions and benefits," said Justin Scott, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 431. "They have shown great dedication and are ready to use their voice to improve their lives and those of their colleagues."

Manuel Martinez, one of the 16 drivers at the Helm facility, echoed the sentiment. "For years, management made empty promises about wages and benefits, but now we have the strength to hold them accountable," Martinez said. "As Teamsters, we will finally get the respect we deserve from this company."

Jose "Pepe" Servin, another driver and member of Local 431, shared his excitement about the union. "I was a Teamster before, and I know they deliver strong wages, health care, and retirement benefits," Servin said. "Once we had an election, my dream of being a Teamster again became a reality. Now we're fighting for a fair first contract."

J.R. Simplot, a leading agribusiness in the farming industry, employs a significant number of workers across its various facilities. The unionization of the Helm facility drivers adds to the growing momentum of organizing efforts among agricultural workers nationwide.

Teamsters Local 431, which represents over 2,700 members across Madera and Fresno Counties, is now prepared to negotiate a first contract that will address the concerns and aspirations of the newly-unionized drivers. "This is a historic moment for our members and the broader agricultural community," said Scott. "Together, we will ensure that the voices of these hardworking individuals are heard and respected."

The unionization of J.R. Simplot drivers in Helm, California, highlights the ongoing struggles for better wages, benefits, and working conditions in the agricultural sector. As negotiations begin, both workers and management will need to come to an agreement that will benefit all parties involved.