United Teamsters face down divided ownership at Heidelberg Distributing Co.

Feuding family members who own Heidelberg Distributing Co.in Ohio are making unreasonable contract demands on Teamster employees, but Teamsters stand united against the owners.

Teamsters represent approximately 500 workers at six of Heidelberg’s family-owned distributorships of beer, wine and spirits in Ohio.

Heidelberg employees voted to join Teamsters Local 284 in Columbus two years ago, but are still without a contract. In Youngstown, Teamsters have been bargaining for a first contract for more than 18 months. Contracts with Heidelberg in Toledo, Cleveland and Dayton expired or are on the verge of expiring.

Members of Teamsters Local 1199 in Cincinnati have a contract until April 2016, but that didn't stop them last month from joining other Heidelberg Teamsters in a show of solidarity during contract talks in Columbus. Teamsters from six locals that represent Heidelberg declared their solidarity by marching together into negotiations with Teamsters Local 284.

Yesterday, 100 percent of  Teamsters Local 957 who work at Heidelberg's Dayton facility voted yes on strike authorization. The strike vote followed a standing-room-only meeting in Cleveland with Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer Ken Hall.

From l to r: Bill Lichtenwald, Ken Hall, Randy Verst, and Max Zemla
talk solidarity with Heidelberg TeamsterFamly!

WCPO reported: 

Union workers are threatening a statewide strike at one of the largest beer and wine distributorships in the Midwest, citing stalled contract negotiations over better wages and health care. 

This is the latest blow for Heidelberg Distributing Co., which is embroiled in a bitter legal battle between its two sibling owners, who accuse each other of using the company for personal gain. Union leaders say the family dispute is spilling into the workplace and dampening contract negotiations. 

The issue attracted a visit from the second-in-command of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Ken Hall, who met with Heidelberg workers in Cleveland on Sunday. He is secretary-treasurer of the Teamsters, just under president James P. Hoffa, at one of North America’s largest unions. 

“We’re worried that this family feud is really going to lead to the destruction of a company that our members helped to build,” Hall said. “Right now, the company is just not bargaining reasonably with the union.”

Teamsters carry on MLK's work in GA, MN, NM, CA, OH, IA, NC

Teamsters stand behind MLK III in Atlanta

Martin Luther King III led a march of a thousand people on Monday, an event organized by the Atlanta-North Georgia Labor Council and Teamsters Local 728 in support of workers' rights. (UPDATE: added ANGLC.)

Associated Press reported

King III laid a wreath at his parents' crypt before leading a group of clergy, labor and civil rights activists through downtown to the steps of the Georgia Capitol. Marchers held signs that read, "Stop the war on workers" and "Unions make us strong," and sang "This Little Light of Mine."

King III told the crowd at the statehouse that his father lost his life in the struggle for workers' dignity and democracy for all Americans, comparing the struggle to today's battle over collective bargaining rights in states including Wisconsin, Indiana and Ohio.

Minnesota Teamsters, many from Local 320 and Local 1145, were among the estimated 5,000 people who took part in the huge rally in front of the Statehouse. Many carried signs reading “From Memphis 1968 to Madison 2011. The struggle continues.”

The protesters marched from the Cathedral of St. Paul to the Statehouse grounds. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports

The march for workers' rights, King's work the day he was killed, comes amid tough times for unions.

From the Cathedral they marched -- teachers, Teamsters, locomotive engineers -- united Monday in support of workers' rights and in defense of the middle class.

Out front, Russell Hess, megaphone in hand, asked, "Who builds America? Who teaches America?" and the people shouted, "We do!" 

In Ohio, WDTN in Dayton reported on the rally at Teamsters Local 957's hall.

Union members continue to rally against the law formerly known at Senate Bill 5. Monday, members of area unions and elected officials gathered at the Teamsters Local 957 in Dayton to speak out against the newly-signed law.

"It's so bad there's not even a starting point to try to change it," said Bill Dudley of the UFCW Local 75. "I'm so disappointed in our governor that he would go after the people we see as heroes in our community."

Sioux City, Iowa rally.



Brother Scott Utech, business agent/organizer with Local 554, posted this photo of a rally in Sioux City, Iowa, where an anti-worker bill was passed by the House but is dying in the Senate. The Sioux City Journal reports,

Dozens of union supporters rallied in front of City Hall on Monday as part of a nationwide pro-labor effort.

Waving signs reading “Solidarity” and “We Are One,” rallygoers said they were there to stand up for workers’ rights.

And Brother Randy Conrad tells us,

Teamsters Local 71 in Charlotte, NC joined other Unions, Community Groups, Citizens, and other leaders from across the city. Organizer Randy Conrad and Political Coordinator Keith Pope coordinated the event for Local 71.
"The message from Teamsters Local 71 to the Politicians is clear. Whether you’re Democrat, Republican, Independent, or other - you’re either with us or you’re not. We Will Remember in November", said both Conrad and Pope.

There were so many Teamsters at so many rallies we can't hope to keep track of them all. Here's just a sample, based on our Facebook postings. Brother Patrick Lynch says: NM great group in Albuquerque

Sister Elizabeth A Walker posts

We did ours today in solano county, Ca.

Sister Susan White tells us

there was a rally in merced, ca with about 150 attendees from different groups...IBT was represented...YEAH!