300 Local Union Members Picket Outside US Foods in Severn

A national conflict between the union organization known as the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and US Foods metabolized outside of the major food distributors’ facility in Severn last week. 

On Nov. 15, nearly 300 local members of the Teamsters union held a "sympathy picket" outside US Foods to support workers in Streator, IL, due to US Foods' "bullying behavior," according to a Teamsters’ website. 

The New York Times reported that the original dispute between the Teamsters and US Foods arose when union members felt the national food distribution company was not bargaining in good faith. 

Teamsters’ claims that US Foods is conducting unfair labor practices and retaliating against employees who partake in union activities, according to PRNewswire.com. 

In response to the unrest, local Teamsters members are rallying in Severn and throughout the country -- ranging from Indiana to Florida. The Teamsters website said that divisions throughout the country have shut down or disrupted 12 US Food facilities nationwide. 

A press release by Teamsters said, "An injury against one is an injury against all," said Teamsters Warehouse Division Director John Williams. "Teamsters across the country will not stand for the kind of bullying behavior US Foods is demonstrating."

The release also said, "After KKR and CD&R purchased US Foods, they have done nothing but bully, harass and intimidate its workers. These private equity companies are part of the top 1 percent who are destroying jobs all over America. Our members are part of the 99 percent and refuse to stand for this kind of economic and social injustice."

Twitter and Facebook pages exist for protesting US Food workers to keep in touch with progress throughout the labor disputes. 

Here are some of the most recent Tweets regarding the conflict between union members and US Foods:

@USFoodsWorkers: Hundreds of #Teamsters refused to work last night at #USFoods in Severn, MD, honoring a picketers from #Streator. #1u #solidarity #strike

@USFoodsWorkers: #USFoods CEO took a stroll thru #Streator warehouse, got an earful from#Teamster members. The #strike continues: facebook.com/usfoodservicew…

@USFoodsWorkers: #Teamsters strike #KKR owned #USFoods in Streator again, picket for 20 hours before moving on 2 the next city #privateequity #1u #solidarity