Laborers at Open Kitchens Now Unionized with Teamsters Union
Chicago Workers at Open Kitchens Unionize for Better Working Conditions
A group of more than 40 drivers and helpers at Open Kitchens, a food service provider serving the greater Chicagoland area, have joined Teamsters Local 703 in their quest for improved pay, benefits, and working conditions.
The workers, who unionized in July 2025, are currently in the process of negotiating their first union contract. Teamsters Local 703, the union representing the newly unionized workers, is committed to securing a strong contract for Open Kitchens workers, leveraging their industry presence in the Chicago area.
Shamia Johnson, a driver at Open Kitchens, expressed her reason for joining the Teamsters, stating, "We voted to become Teamsters for a real voice on the job and the power to fight for a fair contract."
The union's recent contracts in comparable sectors, such as the Chicago Park District, include significant wage increases, improved job security, increased vacation time, and enhanced safety measures, among other benefits. Given the similar membership base of Local 703 and their emphasis on a "real voice" and dignity for workers, it is likely that Open Kitchens workers will aim for comparable improvements in their forthcoming contract.
During the organizing campaign, Open Kitchens reportedly spent tens of thousands of dollars on anti-union consultants from LRI Consulting Services. However, the company's response to the unionization has not been publicly disclosed.
Teamsters Local 703, with over 4,000 members across Northern Illinois and the Chicago area in various industries, including grocery, food processing, landscaping, construction, and brewery, continues to advocate for workers' rights. For more information, visit teamsterslocal703.com.
Lena Melentijevic, the spokesperson for Teamsters Local 703, can be reached at (347) 208-2279 or [email protected] for comments on the unionization of Open Kitchens workers.
- Given the successes of Teamsters Local 703 in previous negotiations, such as significant wage increases and improved job security in sectors like the Chicago Park District, the union may strive to secure similar benefits for the Open Kitchens workers, potentially including enhanced safety measures, increased vacation time, and adaptable financial packages, given the industry's evolving nature and the global financial climate.
- As the unionization discussion begins to encompass the finance sector, keeping an eye on the cloud-based financial services industry might be of particular interest, as the growing popularity of cloud-based solutions could potentially shift the industry's dynamics, consequently impacting the negotiations for better pay and working conditions.
