RWDSU Local 578 has 123 new members after the workers at Americold chose to join the union overwhelmingly, and the company agreed to a card check recognition. The workers are employed at two Americold cold storage facilities in Rochelle, Illinois. Workers have complained of a taxing and confusing scheduling system with five different shifts, poor wages, and lack of health insurance benefits and double-time pay on Sundays.

This was the third attempt to join the union for Americold workers. According to RWDSU Representative Roger Grobstich, it was the dedication of long-time workers that proved the difference.

“We have some workers there who were part of previous attempts to organize, and they stayed at Americold despite opportunities for great jobs elsewhere. We have a leader there who said he was going to stay at Americold until they had a union there, and that’s what has happened,” Grobstich said.

The official recognition agreement was signed on June 18.

(Source: rwdsu.info)