Nearly every aspect of daily life is made possible because a truck driver delivered the goods and resources people need. … This year’s National Truck Driver Appreciation Week is September 13-19, 2020, and takes on a special significance considering the crucial role truck drivers have played during the COVID-19 pandemic. Teamsters Local 120 would like to thank all of our hardworking drivers who “Deliver the Goods” each and every day.

LME executives Roger and Shari Wilsey have once again locked the doors on hundreds of American workers. And again, they are stiffing their employees out of pay that was rightfully earned. Unfortunately this time their employees are non-union.

When the Wilsey’s and their henchmen did the same thing to Lakeville Motor Express, they didn’t count on the Union difference. Our Union rallied the public, fought the legal battle, and delivered a seven-figure settlement for our members. A settlement that is protected and must continue to be paid despite the LME closure. Thats the Union difference.

When you choose to be Union… Your rights are protected.

When you choose to be Union… Your voice is heard.

When you choose to be Union… You WIN!

It PAYS to be Union! Find out more about joining Teamsters Local 120 by CLICKING HERE.

Find more information about the LME closure below.

http://www.startribune.com/lme-trucking-firm-abruptly-closes-doors-leaving-workers-in-the-lurch/512636582/

https://www.valleynewslive.com/content/news/Trucking-company-shuts-down-512616431.html

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/lme-executives-tight-lipped-about-companys-abrupt-closure-as-hundreds-of-former-drivers-employees-remain-unpaid

https://www.twincities.com/2019/07/12/rosevilles-lme-trucking-announces-sudden-closure/

https://kelo.com/news/articles/2019/jul/15/no-more-deliveries/917928/

On behalf of our 12,000 members, thank you for your support of the Teamsters Local 120 Murphy Warehouse bargaining unit during their strike. The outpouring of financial donations, social media outreach, and in-person presence on the picket line was overwhelming; it exceeded anything I have seen in my 36 years as a Union Member.  We have all heard the words, “United we stand, Divided we beg,” but it’s humbling to truly realize the power we have as a labor movement when we come together for a just cause.

With your backing, our members stood strong and sent a message to every employer that the labor movement will unite to fight injustice wherever we find it. The new Murphy Warehouse agreement, which was ratified 55-1 by our members on Friday afternoon, offsets every penny of in-network healthcare cost increases and every penny of premium increases with wages. ON TOP OF THAT, it delivers the biggest raises in the history of the contract.

Our members suffered no loss during the strike. That is why I am closing the Murphy Teamsters Defense Fund at this time and asking that any donations made to the Fund be reimbursed to the locals that offered them.

Teamsters never forget, and your support won’t be forgotten by our Local. You can count on our local and our members to rally for you the way that you rallied for our Murphy Warehouse workers. The Murphy Teamsters Defense Fund was never about money in an account, it was about sending a message that corporate greed will be met with Union strength…and it worked.

This employer mistakenly thought they could take on our local, but realized they couldn’t beat a united labor movement. Your assistance helped deliver a great contract for our members, and created a roadmap for winning contract campaigns through labor solidarity.

Thank you for your support, your strength, and your resolve for justice.

In Solidarity,

Tom Erickson, President

Murphy Warehouse employees have been on strike for nearly a week over the company’s attempt to TRIPLE employee healthcare costs even though the overall cost went DOWN over 4% last year. Both sides have talked about the great relationship between the Union and the company prior to these negotiations. While the situation is very sad it is important to note that the Union and employees did everything we could to avert this situation. Below is the text (and a link to the actual document) of a letter that Local 120 President Tom Erickson sent 13 days before the strike began… he is still waiting for Mr. Murphy to call.

Letter From President Tom Erickson

RE: Negotiations Between Teamsters Local 120 & Murphy Warehouse Company

Mr. Murphy:

We have not met before, but my name is Tom Erickson. I am the President and Principal Officer of Teamsters Local 120, which represents over 12,500 members in four states, including the employees at your company.

As I am sure you are aware, negotiations between our Union bargaining committee and your hired attorneys have not been going well. I have been told that your attorneys are demanding healthcare concessions even though the company is doing well financially and despite the fact that the costs of the plan have decreased this year.

Our Local Union has had a positive relationship with the Murphy family for decades and I am perplexed by these demands that are being made in your name. I have been around long enough to remember the lean years when your employees took wage freezes to keep the company viable, and when we partnered to educate elected officials on how detrimental a proposed warehouse tax would be.

While I have not been directly involved in the Murphy negotiations to date, it is clear that the dispute between your hired attorneys and my bargaining committee is escalating. To be clear, I fully support the positions our bargaining committee has taken and have approved them taking economic action if necessary to achieve a fair settlement. It is my belief that being a leader means stepping in and stepping up when situations begin to deteriorate. That is why I wanted to reach out to you, leader to leader, in order to offer my phone number (651-343-1723) and tell you that I am willing to talk. With the contract set to expire this weekend, I hope you agree that as leaders, it is our duty to step in and try to find a path forward.

Sincerely,

TEAMSTERS LOCAL 120

Tom Erickson

President

URGENT:TEAMSTER LOCAL 120 MEMBERS AT THE MURPHY WAREHOUSE PICKET LINES NEED YOUR HELP. The sites below are open 24/7

1. 701 24th Ave. SE., Minneapolis

2. 4700 Main St. NE., Fridley

3. 355 8th St East, Saint Paul

4. 905 Yankee Doodle Rd., Eagan

5. 5201 Winnetka Ave., New hope

6. 901 Canterbury Rd. S. Shakopee.

The warehouse at 807 Hamden Avenue St. Paul will be open from 5am— 4pm

Troy Gustafson/Grant Bendix BA’s