University Signs Contract with Teamsters Union; Negotiates Higher Pay for Staff

August 22-24th, Pacific’s move-in weekend for the 2022-23 school year, saw a throng of students, parents, and university staff. Amid the shuffling of boxes, retrieving of room keys, and collection of university swag, sheets of neon green paper were handed out to students by Pacific’s Physical Plant workers. The flier explained that a strike was imminent unless Pacific signed a contract with the local Teamsters union (Teamsters 439) giving the workers higher pay. 

According to Sal Lomeli, Teamsters 439 Principal Officer, the contract primarily negotiated for pay raises. After some negotiation with the University, the contract was signed by both parties on September 7th. It increased the starting wage for janitorial and grounds staff from $16 to $18.50/hour. 

Additionally, there was a scaling of pay, with employees who worked 10 or more years getting a raise to $21/hour. Painters’ salary also saw an increase from $32 to $40/hour. The agreement on the contract between Pacific’s attorneys and the union representatives averted the strike. An update on Teamsters 439’s Instagram page also states that the contract had 92% ratification. 

Two Physical Plant workers, who chose to remain anonymous, expressed their excitement at the update in an interview:  “We are very excited – very emotional that the contract went through.” Gabriel Reyes, another Physical Plant worker and group lead, also adds that “in 16 years, this is the best contract we’ve ever seen…we felt supported [and] we felt strong.” 

Pacific’s Chief Operating Officer Ken Mullen also responded to a request for comment, saying, “We are pleased to have a fair and equitable contract with valued colleagues whose important work is integral to the success of our students.”