Union Worker at Chemical Company Secures Back Pay, Full Seniority

Representatives of Teamsters Local 179 refused to give up on a longstanding grievance for a member who was wrongfully fired, but who now is returning to work with more than $100,000 in lost wages thanks to their efforts.

Local 179 Recording Secretary Jim Babcock and several Teamster stewards at Stepan Company recently secured a final decision from an independent arbitrator upholding the original grievance. The ruling concluded that the Local 179 member’s termination by Stepan was “excessive” and “lacked just cause.”

In addition to $102,000 in back pay, the Teamster was awarded full seniority, reinstated to his original position and made whole for all benefits and rights under the collective bargaining agreement.

“The Teamsters Union never gives up or turns its back on our members, and this significant arbitration victory for a hardworking member is proof of that,” said Tom Flynn, President of Local 179. “Jim Babcock and Stepan stewards Ken Wruk and Gary Washington went above and beyond to fight for this member’s rights, and we couldn’t be happier to see our Teamster brother get back to work.”

Stepan Company, headquartered in Northfield, Ill., is a leading manufacturer of specialty chemical products.

Teamsters Local 179 is an affiliate of Teamsters Joint Council 25, America’s premier labor union for Chicago, Illinois and northwest Indiana.