Striking Westlake workers, Teamsters press Napa County supervisors for better pay, health care and respect

Dozens of Westlake employees and union representatives told the Napa County Board of Supervisors on Nov. 25 that the company has stalled bargaining and left workers with unaffordable health care and inadequate raises.

Efren Alarcon, who identified himself as a business agent for Teamsters Local 853, told supervisors the unit voted in an organizing election on 07/11/2024 (reported as 178 yes to 102 no) and that bargaining began in October. He said bargaining wrapped in June but that Westlake has since “stalled negotiations,” and that workers have been on strike since July 24. “All we want is for our workers to have… a choice of medical,” Alarcon said, citing high deductibles in the company plan and the union’s proposal for a different plan.

Several employees gave similar accounts. Eduardo Guillen, a Westlake employee of 22 years and a member of the bargaining committee, said the company’s health plan has “very high deductible[s]” that erase small wage increases. Juan, a production specialist, called a proposed 1% raise “an insult” for long-tenured employees and said workers will return only under a contract that “defines our contribution.”

Speakers repeatedly raised three demands: fair wages, realistic medical insurance with lower out-of-pocket costs, and respectful treatment on the shop floor. Jesus Ramirez, who said he has worked at the site for 33 years, asked the board for help and described long-tenured employees who want opportunity and fairness.

Glenn Lovell, executive director of the Napa-Solano Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, framed the dispute as an out-of-state company dragging its feet in negotiations. “This Texas based company is clearly keeping this at impasse and dragging their feet all they can,” Lovell said, and asked the board to “encourage an equitable solution for our workers.”

Union organizers and allied labor representatives emphasized the immigrant-majority composition of the workforce and urged elected officials to use their influence. Alejandro Negrete of Teamsters Joint Council 7 said the workers are not asking for extraordinary concessions but for wage increases and health insurance that allow them to live and retire with dignity.

The speakers also raised workplace-safety and leadership concerns, alleging inconsistent enforcement of safety rules and workplace mistreatment. Multiple speakers said bargaining sessions in recent months produced repeated, unchanged offers from management and an employer unwilling to give workers a meaningful choice in medical coverage.

Board members did not take formal action on the labor dispute during the Nov. 25 meeting. The public comment period concluded and the board recessed to a closed session later in the agenda; when the board returned it reported no reportable action on a personnel evaluation.