#United States #labor rights #Sioux Falls #Teamsters Local 120 #South Dakota Penitentiary

Maintenance Workers at South Dakota State Penitentiary Join Teamsters

In a noteworthy development for labor rights, the maintenance workforce at South Dakota State Penitentiary has made a decisive choice to unite under Teamsters Local 120. This comes as a culmination of their efforts to secure better working conditions and enforceable contracts.

On July 27, 2026, the workers exercised their voting rights and overwhelmingly opted to join the union despite facing intimidation tactics from the Department of Corrections (DOC). Chris Pick, one of the maintenance personnel now affiliated with the Teamsters, expressed, "We didn’t fold when DOC administration tried to intimidate us with meetings and high-level pressure — we stood our ground." This stance illustrates their collective resolve to be heard and to demand a rightful contract.

The maintenance team, tasked with the upkeep and repair of the largest prison facility in South Dakota, plays a crucial role in maintaining safety and security within this Level IV correctional environment. James Heeren, a business agent at Local 120, emphasized the significance of their work saying, "These workers' labor is essential to prison operations — and now, as Teamsters, they will have a collective voice to ensure they are treated as so by management."

The vote signals a growing trend within South Dakota, where workers are increasingly banding together to form unions for collective bargaining. Local 120 is already representing over 15,000 workers across states such as Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and North Dakota.

Looking forward, the newly organized members of Teamsters Local 120 are eager to fight for a contract that reflects the importance of their roles. They have voiced that they are tired of being overlooked and working without assurance, and they are ready to engage in negotiations to achieve fair treatment and remuneration.

The union's efforts in South Dakota signify a broader movement towards strengthening labor rights in the United States, and it remains to be seen how successful negotiations will unfold in the coming months. Meanwhile, the maintenance workers are already expressing pride in their new union membership and commitment to advocating for the rights they believe they deserve.

For further information regarding Teamsters Local 120 and their initiatives, visit teamsterslocal120.org.

Conclusion

The decision by the maintenance workers at South Dakota State Penitentiary to join Teamsters Local 120 marks an important chapter in the ongoing struggle for labor rights in America. It highlights a determination among workers to stand united in pursuit of fairness and recognition within their workplace. As these workers begin their journey with the union, the impact of their collective efforts will undoubtedly be observed across other sectors and regions — pushing for better labor conditions for all.