Drivers and Warehouse Workers Organize with Local 516
MUSKOGEE, Okla., Oct. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Over 115 drivers and warehouse workers at Southern Glazer’s facilities across Oklahoma have voted for representation with Local 516, joining a growing movement of Southern Glazer’s workers across the South who are organizing with the Teamsters for a stronger voice on the job.
“Workers throughout the South are seeing the Teamsters difference and are letting nothing stand in their way of organizing,” said Jeff Padellaro, Director of the Teamsters Brewery, Bakery, and Soft Drink Conference. “This win shows just how important it is to continue to organize and encourage workers to use their voice. I’m proud of this group for showing that through solidarity anything is possible.”
After Southern Glazer’s took full ownership of Oklahoma operations, workers reached out to Teamsters organizers to fight for the union they had been denied for years. Despite a union-busting campaign by management, the workers remained focused on their goal to secure better pay, seniority, and respect for overtime.
“This unit fought against a hard union-busting campaign and never gave up,” said Kelly Swon, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 516. “These workers organized to elevate their voice on the job and that’s exactly what will happen when they sit down to negotiate their first contract. We look forward to working with them in this fight.”
“We work hard for Southern Glazer’s every day and want to be respected in our workplace,” said Darius Reese, a warehouse worker at Southern Glazer’s and new member of Local 516. “We saw other locations organize who turned their jobs into a career and that’s exactly what we want. We are proud to be Teamsters and are ready to bring our voices to the table.”
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.
Contact:
Maura Drumm, (215) 510-3735
MDrumm@teamster.org
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SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters
