By a 6-1 margin, workers at Reliable Lumber in Stockton, California voted to join Local 439.

The yard workers and drivers voted 12-2 on November 19 to join Local 439. There are currently 22 workers in the bargaining unit, but that number is expected to jump to 120 in the spring of 2005 when the company expands its operations in Stockton, noted Sam Rosas, Local 439 Secretary-Treasurer.

“The Teamsters represent Reliable Lumber workers in Southern California, and the Stockton workers know how good the contract is covering those workers,” Rosas said. “The Southern California contract guarantees workers there a 40-hour workweek. Our members want the same guarantee.”

The workers are also seeking competitive wages and better working conditions.