Drivers at Grease-Cleaning Company Join Local 745

On January 7, 2009, by a 5-to-1 margin, drivers for a restaurant grease-cleaning company voted to join Local 745 in Dallas.

The drivers at Darling International Inc. voted 15-3 to join the Teamsters. There are 19 drivers in the bargaining unit. The drivers pick up old grease at restaurants and take it back to the plant.

“The drivers are seeking fair pay, respect on the job and they want a Teamster contract,” said Rod Cuevas, organizer for Local 745.

“The company is organized heavily around the country, and the workers say it’s their time to be organized,” Cuevas said.

One of the drivers, Justin Deax, was the in-plant organizer. “Justin was instrumental in this victory. He helped keep the group together when the company launched an anti-worker campaign to fight the organizing effort,” Cuevas said.