SPOKANE, Wash — Drivers with US Foods in Chicago walked off the job last Monday after failing to negotiate a contract, now, the union representing them is trying to expand the picket line across the country, including in Spokane.
"They won't address dozens of safety concerns that our negotiating committee has asked for," Bill O'Connor with Teamsters Local 705 Chicago said. "Contract expired on the 29th, we gave them an additional week, came to no resolution. Today celebrates one week since we walked off the job in Chicago."
KREM 2 met with O'Connor near the corner of Francis and Freya on Monday.
"We're out here coming across the country extending out picket lines because this affects all members at US Foods," O'Connor said. "These are some of the hardest working guys in any industry you will run into."
US Foods supplies several restaurants across the Inland Northwest. These trucks also deliver food to Spokane Public Schools. The district signed a one-year $5.9 million contract last August with the distributor.
KREM 2 reached out to the district to see if SPS is aware of a larger possible strike and if the district has a backup plan if food service is disrupted. A spokesperson said they would call back.
The union in Chicago said truck drivers want better pay, healthcare benefits and higher safety standards, among other things.
KREM 2 reached out to US Foods. A spokesperson said their current proposal includes increases to both wages and benefits. They went on to say, "As a show of solidarity with Bensenville, Illinois drivers, some union members are temporarily respecting the picket line at our Spokane US Foods facility and we have activated business continuity plans to mitigate disruptions for our valued customers."
"These guys have a very, very hard job out there right now and they are not asking for anything they have not earned," O'Connor said. "They are not being unrealistic. Safety and medical benefits are key to every American these days and these guys are just out here fighting that fight right now and I'm proud to be with them."
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