Tankhaul drivers in Schererville, Indiana now have a stronger voice after voting yes to join Local 142 in Gary, Indiana. Recently, the 44 drivers at  Kemiron/Eaglebrook Express overwhelmingly voted 28-13 in favor of Teamster representation. The workers haul acid used in steel mills.

“This is a classic organizing campaign that everyone wants to have,” said Larry Regan, Local 142 business agent. “These drivers are very union-minded. They took the company on at a company meeting and turned it into a union meeting.”

The drivers’ main concerns are Teamster benefits, retirement and job security. The company is a leading global manufacturer and distributor of industrial, water treatment, pulp and paper chemicals.

Others who assisted in the organizing campaign were Mike DiGrazia, Joint Council 25 Organizing Director, and Steve Matter, Local 705 Tank Division Organizer.

“Don Rippe headed the committee and did a fantastic job,” said Les Lis, Local 142 business agent. “He was the spark that turned this into a great organizing victory.”

Local 142 represents 5,400 members in northwest Indiana in the construction, warehouse, commercial service and freight industries, and the public sector.