SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Now in their fourth week on strike against the airport catering company Flying Food Group, 43 Teamsters Local 2785 drivers and helpers here are in a tough fight. “We’re not giving up, we are still united!” striker Norber Naguit told this Militant worker-correspondent at the picket line April 18. Morale remains high.
Workers said the biggest issue for them is getting “retro,” that is back pay they would have gotten if the company had settled when the contract ran out nearly three years ago. “It’s our money,” Naguit said. They’re maintaining daily picket lines around the clock, delaying the trucks now being driven by managers and other scabs.
Other Teamster truck drivers are respecting the picket line. The strikers have received support from members of other area Teamster locals, as well as a contingent of members of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers union who walked the picket line April 13. On April 18 a bus driver, who took part in the recent strike by the Amalgamated Transit Union in San Jose, visited the line to show support.
Local 2785 Secretary-Treasurer Joseph Cilia brought two horses, “Thunder” and “Lightening,” symbolizing the Teamsters, to reinforce the line April 12. Those who would like to solidarize with this fight can join the picket outside Flying Food Group’s kitchen at 240 Littlefield Avenue in South San Francisco.