Teamsters Local 431 Wins New Agreement: Higher Wages and Affordable Healthcare

Teamsters Local 431 Wins New Agreement: Higher Wages and Affordable Healthcare
Sun-Maid workers on the most recent strike who were also part of the 1997 strike. Photos by Josh Kob

By Community Alliance Staff

Sun-Maid workers never let the scorching heat dry their enthusiasm as they walked the picket line outside the world’s largest raisin and dried fruit processor with headquarters in Kingsburg. The end of a 15-day strike gave fruition to a new agreement ratified by the membership that included the largest wage increase in Sun-Maid history, as well as affordable health insurance. Employees returned to work on Sept. 26.

“We will continue to fight for workers’ rights through our votes and in future negotiations,” said Josh Kob, a union representative on staff with the California Teachers Association based in the local Fresno office, which was among several unions supporting the strike.

Workers ran a 24/7 picket line as their morale was tested with some employees crossing the picket line and more than 100 temporary employees hired. Not all was gloom, however, as they saw themselves joined by renowned labor leaders and political candidates.

A Gofundme account with a goal of $5,000 was set up to help workers and their families endure loss of income during their fight. It can be found by searching Local 431 Strike Fund on the Web.  

Going on strike is not easy,” Kob said. “These workers were at it for 15 days (running a 24/7 picket line). Through such resolve and determination, they’ve really set an example for all of us, not only in the labor movement, but all working people in this country.”

Delia, a worker at Sun-Maid, first went on strike in 1997 and her photo was featured in the Fresno Bee. Photos by Josh Kob
Delia still works at Sun-Maid and she participated in the strike again this year. Photos by Josh Kob

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  • Community Alliance

    The Community Alliance is a monthly newspaper that has been published in Fresno, California, since 1996. The purpose of the newspaper is to help build a progressive movement for social and economic justice.

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