Sysco Strike

Saturday, March 13th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

NORMAN - Workers on strike from the Sysco Food Services of Oklahoma Inc. distribution plant here have reached an agreement with the company on rules governing their conduct during an ongoing strike.

About 120 truck drivers and warehouse workers affiliated with Teamsters Local 886 have been on strike since Feb. 29.

A hearing had been scheduled Friday on a temporary restraining order that placed restrictions on the picketing workers, but it was canceled after the two sides came to an agreement on strike rules.

Cleveland County District Judge Lori Walkley issued a joint injunction placing restrictions on Sysco and the picketers.

Ivan Moore, president of Sysco of Oklahoma, said in a statement that the injunction would encourage an "orderly course of business" during the strike.

"Obviously, the health and welfare of our employees, our customers and our suppliers is at stake and we want to do everything possible to safeguard everyone involved," Moore said.

John Howry, Local 886's president and business manager, said the agreement was fair, but the strike will continue. The union plans a handbill campaign to inform consumers of Teamsters' complaints, he said.

"We believe our members have and will continue to conduct themselves properly and lawfully and we expect Sysco Food Services of Oklahoma's management team to do the same," Howry said.

The National Labor Relations Board has consolidated four complaints against Sysco and scheduled an April 20 hearing before an administrative law judge in Norman.

Local 886 alleges Sysco fired two employees for engaging in union activities and interfered with employee requests for union stewards during meetings with management. The union also claims Sysco has not negotiated in good faith on a new contract.

The union's contract with Sysco expired Oct. 3.

Sysco said it plans to "vigorously defend" its employment record.