St. Louis County Plow Drivers Voted To Go On Strike

The Teamsters Local 320 posted on Facebook that Union Members voted 112 -1 in Virginia to authorize a strike against St. Louis County.  This all came to a head after no negotiations were met between the union and St. Louis County Public Works Department.

Erik Skoog Teamsters Local 320 Recording Secretary spoke with WDIO and said "Union members believe they aren't receiving the same benefits of other workers throughout the county." Skoog also says " the wages are not enticing enough to recruit and retain new employees, and that there is a seniority issue when it comes to work assignments."

Negotiations have been going on for some time including a 19 hour mediation session last week. The current contract for county union members ends on December 31. The union will file its intent to strike with the Minnesota Bureau of Mediation Services before January 1, 2020 and after that there is a 10 day cooling off period before any action can be taken.

Skoog said "there is a strike date in mind, but it isn't being released to the public. He also told WDIO that " a potential strike doesn't have anything to do with the long hours that plow drivers have been working, but rather that the union members believe they aren't being recognized and fairly compensated for their work." For more on this story Click Here .