Labor & Employment Law Daily Wrap Up, LABOR NEWS—Teamsters strike at IKEA, Transdev Services, Cargill Salt, tout gains at Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits, Breakthru Beverage, (Aug 19, 2026)

By Pamela Wolf, J.D.

“The power of our solidarity is undeniable. These workers stood strong and showed Breakthru that when you pick a fight with one Teamster, you pick a fight with all of us.”

In separate developments, the Teamsters announced new strikes at IKEA’s distribution center in Joliet, Illinois; Transdev Services Inc. in Las Vegas; and Cargill Salt in Newark, California. The union also touted gains made by earlier strikes at Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits in New York (30 percent wage increase, 20 percent increase in employer contributions to Teamsters Pension Fund, and additional paid time off) and Breakthru Beverage facilities in Cicero, Illinois and St. Louis (wage increases, sick leave protections, and a pathway to seniority).

IKEA warehouse workers. More than 190 Teamsters at IKEA’s distribution center in Joliet hit the picket line demanding higher wages, improved working conditions, and protections against automation. The warehouse workers, represented by Teamsters Local 179, were forced onto the picket line after the furniture giant failed to offer workers a fair first Teamsters contract, according to the union.

Workers at the Joliet facility voted overwhelmingly to join the Teamsters in March, becoming the third IKEA location to organize with the union in North America. While the company makes immense profits, it has refused to offer wages that keep pace with inflation, provide additional sick time, or agree to protections against automation that threatens worker livelihoods, the union said.

“IKEA reported more than $1.7 billion in profits last year, but the wages this company is offering its workers are disgraceful,” said Chris Richter, President of Local 179. “Our members are on the picket line because they refuse to let a multibillion-dollar corporation shortchange the people who make its success possible. IKEA can afford to pay these workers fairly, and we will stay out here until it does.”

The union claimed that instead of investing the workers who keep its supply chain moving, IKEA has spent tens of the thousands of dollars erecting temporary fencing around the Joliet facility and hiring additional security.

Transdev Services paratransit workers. Seven hundred paratransit workers at Transdev Services Inc., represented by Teamsters Local 631 in Las Vegas, went on strike in response to what they saw as their employer’s failure to offer a fair contract. Union members rejected Transdev’s last, best, and final offer “because it did not address concerns about wages, pensions, and working conditions,” according to the union. “The company also threatened to withdraw retroactive pay, a move that would constitute bad-faith regressive bargaining and violate previously signed agreements.”

The bargaining unit includes drivers, maintenance clerks, utility, fuel and tire employees, dispatchers, customer service representatives, road supervisors, schedulers, receptionists, data entry clerks, trip editors, payroll staff, and cash counters who provide door-to-door paratransit service for people unable to use fixed-route public transit, especially those with reduced mobility.

Tommy Blitsch, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 631 said: “Transdev has one of the largest paratransit contracts in the country, and cost of living in Las Vegas is extremely high. We are simply fighting for wages and benefits that are in accordance with the incredibly important work this group does.”

Cargill Salt harvest, processing and packaging workers. In response to what the Teamsters called “unfair labor practices (ULPs),” 120 members of Local 853 at Cargill Salt in Newark, California, went out on strike. The alleged ULPs include retaliating against a steward during contract negotiations. The workers are also seeking a fair contract that addresses key wage and health insurance concerns as they negotiate a new agreement with the company.

The striking workers harvest, process and package sea salt at the Newark facility, one of the only sea salt operations of its kind in North America. They oversee the entire production process from harvesting salt in evaporation ponds and turning that into finished products used for table salt, road de-icing, and other specialty uses.

“This workforce keeps a critical supply chain running, and they deserve a contract that reflects their skill and value,” said Steve Beck, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 853. “A billion-dollar company has no excuse to cut the pay and benefits of its workers. We want Cargill to take our concerns seriously instead of retaliating against our members.”

Southern Glazer’s Wineand Spirits workers. Following a 24-hour strike, 200 workers at Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits across New York have ratified “a strong new agreement,” according to the Teamsters. Members of Locals 118, 294, 317, 445, and 449 struck “over the company’s failure to offer fair wages, increased pension contributions, and improved working conditions,” the union said. The five-year agreement includes 30 percent wage increases, a 20 percent increase in employer contributions to the Teamsters Pension Fund, and additional paid time off. The workers also retained their 100 percent employer-paid Teamsters health care and gained AI and automation protections.

“Our members were energized and prepared to stay on the picket line for as long as it took to get a fair agreement,” said Jeff Padellaro, Director of the Teamsters Brewery, Bakery, and Soft Drink Conference. “In the end, they secured an excellent contract that rewards their hard work and dedication.”

Breakthru Beveragedrivers and warehouse workers. It took nearly three months on the picket line, but more than 215 drivers and warehouse workers at Breakthru Beverage facilities in Cicero, Illinois, and St. Louis won their strike, the Teamsters announced. Members of Locals 600, 688, and 710 launched a work stoppage over what they saw as the company’s “numerous” ULPs. The three four-year contracts include wage increases, protections for sick leave, and a pathway to earn seniority, as well as protection of contract rights, such as the lawful right of workers to not cross or work behind a Teamsters picket line at their respective locations.

“Breakthru Beverage tried to divide our members by forcing them into an unnecessary strike and trying to continuously drag it out,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “Despite the company’s despicable efforts, Teamsters stayed focused and continued to hold management accountable for their illegal behavior. The power of our solidarity is undeniable. These workers stood strong and showed Breakthru that when you pick a fight with one Teamster, you pick a fight with all of us.”

Companies: IKEA; Transdev Services Inc.; Cargill Salt; Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits; Breakthru Beverage

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