Mauser’s dismal track record

Teamsters Local 117 is sounding the alarm on the corporation’s disregard for workers, the environment, and public health 

SEATTLE, WA (May 6, 2025) – More than four weeks into a brutal lockout on a group of 20 Teamsters who refurbish steel barrels at its ICS facility in Seattle, Teamsters Local 117 has published a new website that exposes Mauser Packaging Solutions, Inc. and its subsidiary Industrial Container Services (ICS) for the company’s poor track record in the areas of labor, environment, and public health.

Workers were locked out on April 14 after refusing a subpar contract offer from management and have been picketing the Seattle facility ever since. The multi-national corporation has threatened to continue the lockout until workers ratify its last contract proposal.

“With the lockout in Seattle, Mauser’s dismal treatment of workers is well-documented,” said Paul Dascher, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 117. “The public may be less aware of Mauser’s history of polluting the environment and damaging public health in communities across the country. We encourage anyone who cares about ethical business practices and corporate accountability to learn more [on the website].”

Locked-out Teamsters at Mauser’s facility in South Seattle. Photo: Teamsters Local 117

The website, dubbed ‘Mauser Packaging Misery,’ documents how foul-smelling emissions from Mauser’s BWAY facility near a Chicago high school may have sickened students, and it cites the company’s OSHA violations after an employee suffered an amputation at a Mauser facility in New Jersey.

In Seattle, workers are dealing with the possible loss of their health insurance coverage as the Mauser lockout now enters its fourth week. Mauser terminated the workers’ benefits at midnight on April 30. “I suffer from diabetes,” said Efrain Juarez, a 23-year employee at Mauser’s ICS facility. “With the lockout, I may lose my health insurance and won’t be able to afford the cost of my insulin.”

Mauser/ICS has faced intense pressure from NGOs, faith-based groups, elected officials, labor unions, and environmental organizations to clean up its act. Hundreds have signed an online petition urging the company to negotiate an end to the lockout, and many have condemned the company for unscrupulous business practices.

Teamsters President Sean O’Brien, Teamsters Local 117 President Paul Dascher, WSLC President & Secretary Treasurer Aprils Sims & Cherika Carter, and workers pose for a photo at an April rally. Photo: WSLC

On April 22, Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien rallied with locked out workers, calling on Mauser to end its shameless union busting and return to the bargaining table in good faith. “When a multinational bully like Mauser tries to break our union and crush working people, the Teamsters don’t stand by — we fight back with everything we’ve got,” O’Brien said.

While not a large bargaining unit, the 20 locked out Teamsters are backed by the entire labor movement. “The WSLC represents more than 600,000 union families across Washington State, and we are united in our call for Mauser to end their unfair lockout of our Teamster siblings,” said Sims. “We’re putting the employer on notice; when they pick a fight with their workers, they pick a fight with all of us. And labor doesn’t back down.”

With no end to the lockout in sight, Teamsters Local 117 vows to support workers until they have a fair contract.

“We will continue to fight until justice is served for workers ruthlessly locked out by Mauser, and we will expose the company for any wrongdoing,” Dascher said. “Mauser can’t hide from its disgraceful record. The public needs to know.”

Allies can support the workers by joining them on the picket line at the ICS facility in South Seattle (7152 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98108) and signing the petition calling on Mauser to end the lock out and negotiate in good faith.