Teamsters Strike AmerisourceBergen

Warehouse Workers Seek Improvements to Wages, Health Care, and Seniority

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) - After 10 months of contentious contract negotiations, 124 members of Teamsters Local 150 are on strike at the AmerisourceBergen distribution center in Sacramento, Calif. The warehouse workers are seeking a fair wage progression, lower health care costs, and stronger seniority rights.

"All we want is a fair deal that improves our workplace, addresses our health care concerns, and fixes our outdated wage progression," said Chris Simpkins, a 33-year warehouse worker at AmerisourceBergen. "This used to be a good place to work, but corporate greed has taken over and the company has lost its way. We perform an important job that people depend on, and we deserve more."

With a current starting rate of $16.50 an hour and a six-year wage progression topping out at $26 an hour. AmerisourceBergen is also attempting to take away 16 hours of paid vacation time to offset the cost of the additional 16 hours of paid sick leave mandated under Senate Bill 616, which went into effect Jan. 15.

Workers are also striking over the high costs for health insurance, with the average worker paying 25 percent of the monthly health insurance premiums, which can result in more than $6,000 per year, in addition to out-of-pocket expenses and copays.

"It's shameful that a health care company can't provide its workers with an adequate and affordable health plan," said Dale Wentz, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 150. "Our members are fed up with the hypocrisy and greed, and they will fight to get the pay, benefits, and working conditions they deserve."

AmerisourceBergen is the third largest pharmaceutical wholesale and distribution company globally and ranks 11th on the Fortune 500 list of the wealthiest companies in the U.S.

Local 150 has filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board for the company's improper and retaliatory behavior. The labor dispute could extend to other Teamsters-represented distribution centers in Seattle, Columbus, Ohio, Amityville, N.Y., and Puerto Rico.

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