Teamsters urge neutrality from ORBC amid unionisation efforts by employees

The Teamsters are calling on the Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative (OBRC) to maintain a neutral stance as employees at five sorting facilities and 27 redemption centres initiate efforts to organise with the union. The OBRC, a non-profit cooperative, is largely funded by Oregon’s Bottle Bill, which imposes a 10-cent deposit on most plastic, aluminium, and glass beverage containers.

Oregon pioneered the deposit-return system for single-use beverage containers to boost recycling rates. This model has since been adopted by nine other U.S. states and much of Canada. The OBRC, a non-profit cooperative, is largely funded by Oregon’s Bottle Bill, which imposes a 10-cent deposit on most plastic, aluminium, and glass beverage containers.

“Cooperative workers are concerned over low wages and want to improve their benefits and working conditions, which is why they reached out to the Teamsters. These men and women are critical to environmental conservation in our state. They deserve a fair process for organising — without the lies, threats, and intimidation tactics that are unfortunately so common during these campaigns,” said Mark Davison, President of Teamsters Joint Council 37. 

“The Cooperative should remain neutral and respect the rights of workers to form a union and engage in protected activity. Your neutrality will show good faith to the Cooperative workers, and the citizens of Oregon who help fund your organisation through Oregon’s Bottle Bill,” added Davison.