Teamsters at Swire Coca-Cola reach TA

The fully recommended tentative agreement would cover 800 Teamsters at five local unions in western Washington

TUKWILA, WA (May 16, 2025) — With a strike threat looming, Teamsters working at local Coca-Cola producer and distributor Swire have reached an overarching tentative agreement covering seven collective bargaining agreements for drivers, production workers, merchandisers, mechanics, and sales representatives.

Teamster Locals 38, 117, 174, 313, and 589 reached the agreement with the company early Thursday morning. The coalition reports that on Sunday, June 1, the Locals will hold contract ratification meetings at their respective halls so members can review and vote on the proposal.

This past Saturday, the workers voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike, with negotiations on key issues like seniority rights, family wages, and making improvements to the workers’ health and welfare coverage stalled at the table. A strike by the Teamsters would have effectively shut down production and distribution of all Coca-Cola products to stores across Western Washington.

Negotiations between the union coalition and the company began on April 21, and the parties had spent more than two full weeks at the bargaining table.

“Teamsters at Swire work incredibly hard to produce and distribute Coca-Cola products to customers across the Pacific Northwest,” said Paul Dascher, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 117, in a statement. Dascher served as one of the lead negotiators for the coalition.

“This agreement comes fully-recommended by our union negotiations committee. We look forward to meeting with our members soon to discuss the proposal and bring the offer to a vote.”