Veteran Teamster Social Worker Returns to Work

Local 743 Fights to Reinstate Steward, Secures Extensive
Back Pay

An Indiana social worker is returning to work after Teamsters Local 743 challenged a disciplinary decision that forced him out of a job for nearly 10 months.

Local 743 defended Gilbert Washington, a 13-year veteran of Edgewater Systems for Balanced Living, after management dismissed the union steward in May 2009. Following arbitration proceedings that left the social service agency unable to justify its severe actions, the longtime Teamster will be reinstated with at least five months’ back pay.

“The cornerstone of a union contract assures our members the kind of job protection ordinary men and women would not receive by facing management alone,” said Richard Berg, Local 743 President. “We know how proud Edgewater workers are that the Teamsters were able to get Gilbert back to work.”

Washington, a longtime Teamster, was a leading voice in last year’s campaign to ratify Edgewater Systems workers’ new contract. Local 743 secured the contract for 150 members in October after almost a year of negotiations. In addition to significant wage increases, Teamsters received a seat at the bargaining table for all future changes to employee health insurance and renewed protection for grievances involving supervisors.

Several rallies were held outside of Edgewater Systems in Gary, Ind. throughout the year to support the Teamsters’ ongoing negotiations. In April 2009, Teamsters Joint Council 25, Indiana Teamsters and the Service Employees International Union joined Washington and other workers to strengthen the fight for better working conditions.

Teamsters Local 743 is an affiliate of Teamsters Joint Council 25, which represents more than 100,000 workers in Illinois and Indiana.

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