CR&R Environmental Workers Unite with Teamsters Local 396 for Better Conditions

150 CR&R Workers Join Teamsters Local 396

In a landmark decision, 150 waste management employees at CR&R Environmental Services have voted overwhelmingly to join Teamsters Local 396. This major step aims to secure improved working conditions, fair wages, and a strong voice in their workplace. This chapter signifies not only a victory for the workers but serves as a notable milestone for labor rights within the sanitation sector.

Standing United for Change

Located across Southern California from Santa Fe Springs to Phelan and Blythe, the newly unionized Teamsters are dedicated to ensuring essential sanitation services. The workers are advocating for several key improvements, including fair wages, affordable healthcare, retirement security, heightened workplace protections, and real rights on the job.

Despite facing significant opposition, the workers’ resolve proved unyielding. CR&R management employed outside “union busters” to deter workers from unionizing, hiring individuals at significant hourly rates to intimidate and discourage them. However, this aggressive campaign backfired, only solidifying the workers’ commitment to organizing and fighting for their rights.

Miguel Peña, a driver for CR&R and one of the leading voices in this movement, expressed the sentiments of his colleagues: "This victory is about standing together and fighting for better lives for ourselves and our families. We organized because we deserve respect, fair wages, better benefits, and a voice on the job. By joining Teamsters Local 396, we are taking the first step toward building a stronger future for all of us."

A Message to the Industry

Victor Mineros, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 396, applauded the courage of the CR&R workers, stating, "The hardworking men and women of CR&R should be proud of themselves for refusing to be intimidated. They have sent a powerful message that corporate aggression and anti-union tactics cannot stop a collective fight for dignity and respect."

Local 396 is known for fiercely advocating for the rights of thousands of sanitation workers in the region, including several hundred CR&R employees. This unionization victory is a pivotal advancement in their ongoing efforts to elevate standards and working conditions for essential waste workers who contribute significantly to public health and safety in their communities.

The Broader Implications

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, founded in 1903, represents an impressive 1.3 million hardworking individuals across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. This latest victory reinforces their commitment to labor rights and reflects a growing trend of workers banding together to demand better treatment.

As this chapter unfolds, it’s clear that the collective efforts of the CR&R waste workers are shaping the future of labor relations in Southern California. The significant turnout and support stand as a testimony to their shared determination to seek equity in the workplace.

In closing, the successful unionization of these CR&R workers showcases the strength and importance of solidarity among workers. It sets a precedent for future organizing efforts, illustrating that together, employees can achieve meaningful change. For more information on labor rights and ongoing efforts within the union, visit Teamster.org.