BMW Ontario Workers Get Contract Extensions

Back in mid-July we were reporting on an initiative taken by Teamsters Local 495 meant to protest against the massive layoffs at BMW's parts distribution facility in Ontario, Calif. The automaker was planning to fire nearly 100 Americans this month, with their jobs to be outsourced to a third-party company.

Now it looks like an agreement has been reached between Teamsters Local 495 leadership and BMW. This sees an extension of the current contract for six months.

Moreover, BMW management also committed to work with the Teamsters during this period to reach a mutually acceptable solution that addresses long-term employment for the current BMW workforce in Ontario, Calif.

"This agreement shows what Teamsters can do when we stand together and fight back," said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa. "Teamsters across the country, and unions that represent BMW and supply-chain workers across the globe, took part in numerous solidarity actions this summer in support of these workers. I am hopeful that the contract extension signals a new path for BMW and the Teamsters."

"Many of these employees have worked at BMW for decades," said Bob Lennox, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 495. "They were facing foreclosures on their homes and loss of their health insurance at a time of record unemployment in Southern California. BMW had hired union-hostile law firm Jackson Lewis to outsource these jobs, but I am confident that BMW will honor its promises to find a solution to keep their longtime, dedicated workforce and ensure that these jobs remain good, middle-class jobs.”