Local 743 Files Class Action Grievance In Response To Forced Overtime And Working Conditions

Local 743 has filed a class action grievance against Bagcraft Packaging Dynamics after complaints from members that management is forcing them to work 20-30 hours of overtime each week.

“The way management at Bagcraft is acting is downright repulsive,” said Larry S. Davis, Local 743 President. “This type of behavior hasn’t been allowed in the United States since the early 1900s. Is management at Bagcraft really suggesting we move backwards like that? Local 743 will not stand for it.”

The majority of the 180 members represented at Bagcraft have been forced to work a minimum of 20 hours overtime per week, in addition to the 40 hours they already work each week. In some cases, members have gone 30 straight days without a day off. Illinois State law requires employers to give employees 24 hours off of work for every six days worked.

“Members are being forced to do something that takes them out of their ordinary habits and puts them in jeopardy,” said Joe Sims, union steward at Bagcraft who has been a member of Local 743 for 37 years. “I’m afraid it’s going to get to some sort of breaking point.”

Members at Bagcraft work with 39 machines in 4 departments, making a variety of different bags. Management uses a point system to keep track of attendance. Each employee starts with eight points and are deducted points for poor attendance. Disciplinary measures begin when four points are lost and employees can be terminated if they lose all eight points.

“They are intimidating members by threatening to take away points if they refuse the forced overtime,” said Clinton Fluker, Local 743 Union Representative. “It’s a very deceitful way of making people think they have no choice. Our members always have alternatives to this kind of treatment.”

As members have points taken away, they are encouraged to make a copy of the disciplinary form and file a grievance. In August alone, Local 743 has filed 25 grievances at Bagcraft, all of which are related to members being wrongfully terminated or disciplined.

At the request of Local 743, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has made more than one trip to Bagcraft and has documented several violations in regards to the working conditions.

With little air circulation in the main part of the factory, members said the heat can become unbearable. During these past summer months, with record-high temperatures, members said it felt well above 100 degrees in the factory on some days.

“I visited the factory on a relatively cool day, and it was still very warm,” Davis said. “At some point, we have to wonder how one human being can treat another with such disregard for respect. I look forward to seeing this matter through and finding justice for our members.”

Teamsters Local 743 represents more than 11,000 hardworking men and women across the Chicago metropolitan area, working in health care, office, warehouse, technical and professional industries.