Teamsters urge top golfer to drop anti-union sponsor

Teamsters Local 117 have filed multiple unfair labor practice charges against Lineage, one of Justin Thomas’ main sponsors

MEMPHIS, TN (August 12, 2025) — Teamsters are urging top PGA golfer, Justin Thomas, to drop his sponsorship with Lineage Logistics, calling attention to unfair labor practices filed by Teamsters Local 117, which represents Lineage workers at a Seattle cold storage facility.

The 45 Seattle Teamsters employed by Lineage Logistics cold storage facility have been working under an expired contract since March 31. The workers voted to authorize a strike in June over what Teamsters Local 117 believes are unfair labor practices by the company. Since negotiations began in January, the union has filed multiple ULPs against Lineage with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging the company has unlawfully engaged in direct dealing with its workers over furloughs, misrepresented worker eligibility for health and welfare coverage, and unilaterally changed working conditions without fulfilling its obligation to bargain.

Shop Steward James LeDahl, a Teamster at Lineage’s Seattle facility, traveled to the St. Jude FedEx golf tournament in Memphis to call on Justin Thomas to drop Lineage Logistics as a sponsor.

James LeDahl (l), a Shop Steward at Lineage Logistics, and Union Rep Quincy Zanders (r) calling on Justin Thomas to drop his sponsorship with Lineage. Photo: Teamsters 117

“We came out to Memphis to let the public know how bad Lineage Logistics is with all of their unfair labor practices,” Ledahl said. “I work in a refrigerated warehouse that gets down to 20 below zero. It’s a lot of wear and tear on your body. We’ve been working without a contract since April 1 and the company keeps changing things, violating the law.”

Lineage has a long history of environmental and worker protection violations — evidenced by more than $3 million in environmental violation and $1 million in workers rights violations penalties. In addition to this weekend’s action in Memphis, Local 117 also sent a letter to Thomas asking him to contact Lineage and urge the company to resolve the outstanding unfair labor practices and respect the workers.

“Justin Thomas needs to know that Lineage Logistics – his top sponsor – is engaging in unlawful activity and violating workers’ rights,” said Paul Dascher, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 117. “We urge Thomas to contact the company immediately and tell them to stop breaking the law. We plan to continue sending that message to Thomas and Lineage at other PGA events. We will go wherever it takes until our members are treated fairly.”

Teamsters Local 117 represents 17,000 workers at 200 employers across Washington. Learn more about the contract fight at Lineage at teamsters117.org.