FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, October 13, 2026
MEDIA CONTACT: Christian Castro ccastro@teamstersjc42.org
Nearly 500 striking workers demand company honor longstanding agreements and end unnecessary labor dispute
(LOS ANGELES, Calif.) Nearly 500 members of Teamsters Locals 630 and 848 remain on strike at Sysco Los Angeles after the multibillion-dollar food distribution company attempted to strip workers of longstanding contractual rights and publicly misrepresented the facts surrounding the labor dispute.
The strike, which began Sunday, Oct. 11, is not about wages, health care or benefits. After months of negotiations, the unions believed they had reached an agreement and were prepared to accept the company’s economic proposals. Instead, Sysco is now insisting on new contract language that would undermine rights workers have held for more than 40 years.
“Sysco is a multibillion-dollar corporation that is deliberately misrepresenting the facts to attack the very workers who keep its operations running and create the value behind its success,” said Lou Villalvazo, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 630. “These are the workers who move the food, maintain the equipment and make sure restaurants across Southern California receive the supplies they depend on. We had a deal. We were ready to get back to work. But now this company wants to strip away rights our members have held for generations.”
For more than 40 years, Sysco and its workers have operated under contract language that protected members’ rights while creating a mutual relationship for both the companies and employees. These protections have remained in place through the last ten contracts without causing problems between the company and its workers. Now, Sysco is attempting to change that longstanding agreement by introducing new language that would restrict rights workers have held for decades.
Striking workers include warehouse workers, office workers and equipment mechanics who play a critical role in Sysco’s food distribution operations. Their work ensures restaurants and other food service businesses throughout Southern California receive the products they need to serve their customers.
“I’ve worked at Sysco for 40 years, and throughout that time, we’ve always found a way to work together and resolve our differences,” said Betty Jones, office worker and 40-year Sysco employee. “We’ve built a relationship based on mutual respect, and we’ve never had an issue like this. It’s disappointing to see the company turn its back on that history and try to take away rights we’ve had for decades. We aren’t asking for anything new. We just want the company to respect the agreements that have worked for generations.”
Despite the company’s attempts to characterize the dispute differently, the unions maintain that Sysco is responsible for introducing the disputed language. The Teamsters have already accepted the company’s final economic offer without the contested provisions.
“I’ve spent 21 years working at Sysco and raised my family with the wages I’ve earned here,” said Andrew Ramirez, Sysco employee and Teamsters shop steward. “We’ve always tried to work through our differences with the company and find solutions together. That’s why it’s so disappointing to see Sysco take this position. None of us want to be on strike. We want to get back to work, provide for our families and continue serving the restaurants and communities that depend on us. But we shouldn’t have to give up our rights to do that.”
“We are ready to return to the bargaining table and bring an immediate end to this strike,” said Eric Tate, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters 848. “Our message to Sysco is simple: Stop misrepresenting the facts, stop attacking our members’ rights and honor the agreements that have worked for generations. Our members want to get back to work, but we will not allow a multibillion-dollar corporation to strip away rights we have held for more than 40 years.”
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on X @Teamsters and on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.
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