Workers at Rodney Strong Vineyards, the popular Sonoma County winery, have gone public with their campaign for a fair process to organize a union without retaliation or intimidation. On May 29, a coalition of over 60 workers with the backing of Labor and Community organizations handed over a petition to Rodney Strong signed by a majority of workers at the winery requesting a neutrality agreement and a simple promise that Rodney Strong would not intimidate or harass workers who wanted to unionize. The company rejected the agreement and instead retained a known union-busting firm.
Workers fighting for a fair process to organize a union at Rodney Strong Vineyards work across the departments of Cellar, Barrels, Bottling, Warehouse, Maintenance, and Lab.
“This is a historic moment for all of us at Rodney Strong but really for every worker in the wine industry,” said Rafael “Junior” Malfavon, Warehouse Lead. “Teamsters Local 665 and many community organizations have stood with us since day one to make our message clear to the bosses at Rodney Strong: Which side are you on? The winery can be a leader and show that they truly respect us as workers.”
Rodney Strong started in 1959 as just the 13 th winery to be bonded in Sonoma County. The family-owned winery prides itself on progress and farming for the future but has shown no sign of being progressive or caring for the future of working families after the winery rejected a card check neutrality agreement.
While the winery continues to push their anti-worker tactics, workers are united and standing strong in their fight for a fair process to organize a union. On June 20 dozens of workers were joined by over 150 people from Labor and Community organizations to raise awareness to Sonoma County and customers of Rodney Strong that workers are requesting that the winery agree to the neutrality agreement instead of attempting to stop their workers from unionizing.
“I want to congratulate all of the workers for their dedication and leadership at Rodney Strong to bring the campaign this far,” said Mike Yates, Teamsters Local 665 President. “Workers have not attempted to organize something as monumental as this in the Sonoma County wine industry for nearly 50 years. Teamsters will be hand-in hand with workers through it all, fighting for a fair process for the opportunity to organize.”
Teamsters Local 665 Secretary-Treasurer, Tony Delorio said, “Together with the workers dedication and Teamsters winning record we will turn the page on a new chapter for workers in the wine industry and refuse to accept that the industry can continue to disrespect workers without being held accountable. We stand united with every single worker in the wine industry.”
