A handfull of Teamster locals and Teamsters Warehouse Division members are in dire contract talks with U.S. Foods. Within the contract talks, Teamsters members are warning the company that work stoppages are immenint and can spread danger to an already suffering food service industry.

Workers at the locations in question are leaving their jobs because they claim the company has violated federal labor laws and that U.S. Foods is currently being investigated by the National Labor Relations Board for several allegations of unfair labor prctices. Allegations include, but are not limited too:

• Illegal terminations

• Unilaterally changing working conditions

• Bargaining in bad faith with union reps

"US Foods executives seem more interested in how they can violate the rights of their essential employees than they do in offering them a fair return on their work. My members have patiently tried to work in good faith to negotiate an agreement, but they've had enough."

Todd Robertson, President of Teamsters Local 171 in Salem, VA., said.

Within the distribution center Todd Robertson is representing, drivers have no agreements. Todd also states that workers have been trying to negotiate fair employment for nearly a year, but to no avail.

"Unfair labor practices and unsettled contracts are not the way to thank your essential workers. Local leaders across the country have told me their members have had it with the way US Foods treats them."

Tom Erickson, Teamsters International Vice President and Director of the Teamsters Warehouse Division, said.

For nearly ten years, workers at the facilities have gone on strike to protest the illegal actions of U.S. Foods. The leading colprit is the unfair labor practices, an illegal move that has caused workers in Arizona, Illinois, California, and Maryland to go on strike.

"We aren't going to be afraid to strike. If the members at those locations choose to stand up for their rights and withhold their labor, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters will have their backs."

Sean M. O'Brien, Teamsters General President, said.