Cleaning Up in Greeley

Cleaning Up in Greeley

December 17, 2003

By a better than 2-to-1 margin, 29 workers at BFI Inc. in Greeley, Colorado, voted for Teamster representation. The newest members work as drivers, helpers, loaders and mechanics for the waste management company.

More than a year ago, another organizing campaign took place, but BFI was able to convince the workers not to join the union by making promises it never intended to keep.

“The company had the chance to do something more for the workers, and they did absolutely zero,” said Tony Marquez, a Local 435 business agent who led this organizing campaign. For example, a recent wage increase of 30 cents was more than offset by higher health insurance premiums.

BFI is the target of a national organizing campaign by the International Union.