Workers United and Levi Strauss & Co. Agree to New North American Contract
November 17, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Eric Sharfstein, Workers United, (917) 208-6980, eric.sharfstein@workersunitedunion.org
New York - Distribution workers at Levi Strauss & Co. facilities in the United States and Canada have approved a new North America-wide contract with the company. More than 1,250 workers will be covered by the new contract.
The workers, members of the labor union Workers United, are employed at distribution centers in Canton, Mississippi; Hebron, Kentucky; Henderson, Nevada; and Rexdale, Ontario, Canada. They voted overwhelmingly in favor of a three-year contract which provides for wage increases, defined benefit pensions and health insurance. The prior contract led to the creation of 300 new jobs and the new contract sets the stage for further growth of jobs across all four facilities.
"This is a good day for hard-working men and women," said Bruce Raynor, President of Workers United. "It's also a great sign that workers and companies can come together to reach agreements that support employee and employer alike and create new, good union jobs."
"We're pleased that our employees overwhelmingly supported an agreement that will keep good-paying jobs in our distribution facilities for the foreseeable future," said Robert Hanson, President Levi Strauss Americas. "This endorsement of the new contract by our employees reflects the strong, long-term partnership between Levi Strauss & Co. and Workers United."
"Given the terrible conditions for retail across North America, this was an extremely successful round of negotiations that sets the stage for long term growth and job security," said Noel Beasley, Executive Vice-President of Workers United and chief negotiator for the union.
"Our vision of a partnership - a collaboration - has led us to this moment," said Andy Kennedy, a worker at the Canton, Mississippi facility and President of Workers United Local 2550.
About Workers United
Workers United, SEIU is a union of 150,000 workers in the U.S. and Canada who work in the textile, apparel, laundry, food service, hospitality, gaming, manufacturing and distribution industries. SEIU is the fastest-growing union in North America, with more than 2.1 million members. www.workersunitedunion.org
About Levi Strauss & Co.
Levi Strauss & Co. is one of the world's largest branded apparel companies and the global leader in jeanswear, marketing its products in more than 110 countries worldwide. The company designs and markets jeans, casual wear and related accessories for men, women and children under the Levi's®, Dockers® San Francisco and Signature by Levi Strauss & Co.TM brands. Levi Strauss & Co. reported fiscal 2008 net revenues of $4.4 billion. For more information, go to http://levistrauss.com.
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Workers want change
Rhonda Young
Bartender, Red Rocks Bar & BBQ Austin, TX
We cannot fall back into a union that does not service workers, lies to workers or just don't care about us 'little' shops!'
I've been a member for 6 yrs and I know how it used to be. Workers United and it's folks mean change, it's what's inside the union that counts, and Unite Here is just the same old thing that has only hurt us workers.
Workers United cares about all the workers, little shops, smaller states, Everyone! Here we have a voice, participate in the negotiation of our contracts.
Norma Milligan
Brooklyn, NY. Laundry, Drycleaning & Allied Workers Joint Board, member for 33 years
It is not about just us, it is not for this generation, it is for the future generation. We as laundry workers have been on the back burner for too long.
I know how important our union is and I am ready to do what it takes to make the Employee Free Choice Act law.