Lockout Watch
Teamsters 705 at Mauser Forced to Strike
Posted by admin · June 12, 2025 7:27 AM
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Calling out a rat! Teamsters picket Mauser facility in Chicago
Posted by admin · May 13, 2025 2:35 PM
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Operation Chili Dog lifts the spirit of locked out workers
Posted by admin · May 06, 2025 11:57 AM
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Mauser Packaging Solutions Locks Out Seattle Teamsters
Teamsters at Mauser/ICS have been locked out of their jobs since Monday. Sign our Petition of Support!
Industrial Container Services, LLC, which does business as Mauser Packaging Solutions, has locked out a group of 20 Teamsters who refurbish industrial barrels at the company’s facility in the South Park neighborhood of Seattle. The company broke off contract negotiations with Teamsters Local 117 on Friday after issuing an ultimatum that would force workers into accepting low pay and inconsistent hours.
On Monday, the company told workers to gather their personal belongings and leave the facility until further notice. The Union later confirmed that workers were locked out of their jobs. The company has threatened to continue the lockout until workers ratify its last contract proposal. Workers have been picketing outside the facility since Tuesday and are planning to hold an End the Lockout rally early next week.
“Locking out workers during collective bargaining is a deliberately vicious move,” said Paul Dascher, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 117. “It shows Mauser Packaging Solutions doesn’t care about the welfare of its workers or the health of our community. They only care about lining their pockets with profits made off of the backs of workers who are exercising their right to stand together for better conditions.”
Leading up to negotiations, the company reduced workers’ hours to an unsustainable level, making it impossible to support their families. Management says business has slowed, but workers insist production levels have not decreased and that a few employees are getting assigned overtime to make up for the lost hours. "The other week, they gave us 26 hours. Last week, they only gave us 20," said Uvaldo Ramirez, who has been with the company for 17 years. "I can’t survive on that.”
On April 9, King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda led a delegation of workers to the Mauser/ICS offices in South Park, calling on the company to bargain a fair contract in good faith in a way that respects the voice of its workers. On April 10, IG Metall, a German trade union that represents Mauser workers in Germany, sent a letter urging the company to take responsibility for the health and safety of its workers and bargain fairly.
“Mauser is a billion dollar multinational that can afford to provide safe, family-supporting jobs. Instead, they’ve chosen to punish workers who are standing up for their rights,” Dascher said. “Mauser needs to end this ruthless lockout and bargain a fair contract with family wages and stable hours.”
Mauser Packaging Solutions, Inc is a multinational industrial packaging manufacturer with global headquarters in Oak Brook, IL. Teamster Local 117 represents over 17,000 workers in various industries across Washington State. For more information, visit www.Teamsters117.org.
PETITION: SUPPORT LOCKED OUT WORKERS!
O'Brien, Seattle Teamsters rally to end Mauser lockout
Seattle Teamsters rally in support of workers, call out Mauser Packaging Solutions for its ugly lockout.
Teamsters O’Brien, Mayor Harrell, Councilmember Mosqueda Denounce Mauser Lockout - RALLY PHOTOS
Teamsters executive leadership, elected officials, labor leaders, and community allies rallied today in support of a group of 20 union members who were locked out of their jobs by Mauser Packaging Solutions, Inc last week. The company shut the doors on its workers in the middle of contract negotiations with Teamsters Local 117 after issuing an ultimatum that would have forced the workers into accepting a substandard contract proposal.
With protesters waving signs that read, End Mauser Packaging Misery, Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien, who traveled to Seattle to stand with the workers, spoke out against corporate greed. “When large multinationals like Mauser attack workers, we will fight them tooth and nail,” President O’Brien said. “This is a case of a corporate bully trying to intimidate workers and bust their union. We won’t let it happen. Mauser needs to end this brutal lockout and give workers the contract they deserve.”
Teamsters General President Sean O'Brien blasts Mauser for its cowardice and corporate greed.
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell also urged Mauser to reach a settlement with the Teamsters. "These workers do difficult work every day to help keep our Seattle economy moving forward and support our communities. It's time to reach a contract resolution rooted in the respect -- not intimidation -- that these workers deserve, delivering a safe workplace with dignity and fair wages."
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell spoke powerfully in support of locked out workers.
On April 9, King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda delivered a letter to Mauser management demanding that the company bargain fairly. At the rally, she denounced the lockout. “Mauser is union-busting plain and simple,” Councilmember Mosqueda said. “They allegedly tried to do it in 2022 when they threatened their mostly immigrant workforce during the last contract cycle, and it appears they’re trying to do it again by locking out workers today. I urge the company to respect their workers, end the lockout immediately, and return to the bargaining table to negotiate a fair contract in good faith.”
King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda has supported workers at Mauser/ICS for years.
Also speaking at the rally, April Sims, President of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, emphasized the power of worker solidarity. “The WSLC represents more than 600,000 union families across Washington State, and we are united in our call for Mauser to end their unfair lockout of our Teamster siblings. We’re putting the employer on notice; when they pick a fight with their workers, they pick a fight with all of us. And labor doesn’t back down.”
Mauser operates the Industrial Container Services (ICS) plant in South Park, where the locked out workers refurbish steel barrels for a living. Leading up to contract negotiations, the company drastically cut workers’ hours, making it impossible for them to support their families. Management says business has slowed, but workers insist production has not dropped off and that a few employees are getting assigned overtime to make up for the lost hours. “My co-workers and I do dangerous work inside this facility,” said five-year employee Josue Calvario. “We’re constantly inhaling toxic fumes and dust from the barrels. All we are asking for is livable wages and sustainable hours to help pay our bills and keep a roof over our heads.”
Teamster Josue Calvario describes his work refurbishing steel barrels at the Mauser/ICS facility in South Park.
The overwhelming support has emboldened Paul Dascher, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters 117. “We’re not backing down until Mauser does right by its workers,” Dascher insisted. “That means ending this lockout immediately. It means bargaining a contract with sustainable hours and fair, family-supporting wages. It means creating a healthy environment that keeps workers and our community safe. And it means respecting workers and their union.”
Labor leaders tell Mauser to end Packaging Misery, from l to r: Fred Zuckerman, Katie Garrow, Cherika Carter, April Sims, Sean O'Brien, Paul Dascher.
Mauser Packaging Solutions, Inc is a multinational industrial packaging manufacturer with global headquarters in Oak Brook, IL. Teamsters Local 117 represents over 17,000 workers in various industries across Washington State. For more information, visit www.Teamsters117.org.
VIDEO: End the Mauser Lockout🔒
On April 14, Mauser Packaging Solutions ruthlessly shut the doors on 20 Teamsters in the middle of contract negotiations, trying to force them into accepting a substandard contract. Workers are fighting back 💪 Get more news on the Mauser Lockout and how Mauser is packaging misery for workers.
Worker Hardship Fund
Teamsters at Mauser were locked out on April 14 in the middle of contract negotiations.
On April 14, Industrial Container Services (ICS), owned by Mauser Packaging Solutions, locked out a group of 20 members of Teamsters 117 who refurbish steel barrels at the company's ICS facility in Seattle. Mauser abruptly shut the doors on workers in the middle of contract negotiations after trying to force them into accepting a substandard contract proposal.
Workers have been picketing at the facility since the beginning of the lockout and are determined to fight the company until they get the contract they deserve.
SUPPORT LOCKED OUT TEAMSTERS
Teamsters 117 has established a Hardship Fund so you can support the workers. Local 117 members have been locked out for nearly three weeks and many are struggling financially. Your donations will go directly to help workers with the greatest need.
Worker Hardship Fund - Donate Here!
Learn more about the lockout and how Mauser Packaging Solutions, Inc and Industrial Container Service are harming workers, the environment, and the public health at www.MauserPackagingMisery.com.
What the community is saying
"I suffer from diabetes. With company's lockout, I may lose my health insurance and won't be able to afford the cost of my insulin."— Efrain, 23 years at ICS |
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"My co-workers and I do dangerous work inside this facility. We’re constantly inhaling toxic fumes and dust from the barrels."— Josue, 5 years at ICS |
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"We want to make sure these workers are not intimidated and that their rights are respected."— Teresa Mosqueda, King County Councilmember |
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“When large multinationals like Mauser attack workers, we will fight them tooth and nail.”— Sean O'Brien, Teamsters General President |
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"All we are asking for is livable wages and sustainable hours to help pay our bills and keep a roof over our heads."— Margarito, 23 years at ICS |
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"The other week, they gave us 26 hours. Last week, they only gave us 20. I can’t survive on that."— Uvaldo, 17 years at ICS |
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“I get migraines when I come to school. I feel so physically sick sometimes.”— Sylvia Meraz, Student from Little Village Lawndale High School near Mauser Plant |
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"Nothing they do divides us. We are united, and we will not allow ourselves to be intimidated."— Mario, former employee at ICS |
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"I wanted to be here with my voice and my presence today to stand behind these workers and their courage because what they need and what they want for their families is important."— Tana Powell of the Valley and Mountain United Methodist Church |
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"We will not back down from taking on this company. These workers do difficult, dangerous work where they're exposed to toxic chemicals. They deserve dignity and to be treated with respect. As in years past, we will enlist the support of our labor partners and the broader community. We won't quit until justice is served."— Paul Dascher, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 117 |
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“It's time to reach a contract resolution rooted in the respect - not intimidation -- that these workers deserve, delivering a safe workplace with dignity and fair wages.”— Bruce Harold, Seattle Mayor |
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"We're supporting workers here because they are immigrants and deserve good wages and the right to negotiate with the company."— Javier Cruz, former employee of OneAmerica |
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"I am the daughter of immigrants, and I understand what it's like to work in a dirty environment where we don't have all of the rights we deserve and to worry about our safety and health. I'm here to support you and your ability to fight for a fair contract and to ensure that you have a safe workplace."— Former Seattle City Councilmember Lorena González |
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“All of us are united in demanding that they negotiate fairly,” said Abel Flores, a nine-year employee at the company. “We need them to respect our rights, and we need to see improvements in their proposals.”— Abel, 9 years at ICS |
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“It’s not fair that they’re treating us like this, under these conditions. If they won’t come to a fair agreement with our Union, we’re ready to strike.”— Castro, 8 years at ICS |
Public Health
Conditions in an Industrial Container Services facility locker room before workers unionized.
Mauser Packaging Solutions and Industrial Container Services have faced allegations of public health violations, including releasing hazardous emissions near a high school in an impoverished neighborhood in the South Side of Chicago. In Washington State, ICS was fined over $200k for allegedly exposing workers to serious harm or even death with an incident in which a worker became entangled in machinery.
The smell behind the school near Mauser plant (2020)
The smokestacks that produce the smell are from BWAY Corporation, which was acquired by Mauser Packaging Solutions in 2017. They puff out clouds of emissions directly behind the high school. “I get migraines when I come to school,” Sylvia Meraz says, clearing her throat and speaking seriously. "I feel so physically sick sometimes.” (Source: South Side Weekly)
Mauser fined $150k after amputation (2019)
OSHA cited Mauser for workplace safety and health hazards after an employee suffered an amputation on Sept. 26, 2019, at the Lawrence Township, New Jersey, facility. The company faced $151,329 in penalties. (Source: Manufacturing.net)
ICS fined $215k for serious health and safety violations (2015)
Washington’s Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has issued citations and fined Industrial Container Services $215,250 for allegedly exposing workers to serious harm or even death in conjunction with an incident in which a worker became entangled in machinery while working in a confined space. (Source: EHS Today)
Main drinking source for workers at Industrial Container Services facility in Seattle, 2015.
Labor
Mauser Packaging Solutions, Inc abruptly locked out workers at its ICS facility in Seattle during contract negotiations.
Mauser Packaging Solutions, Inc and Industrial Container Services have faced allegations of harming workers, violating workplace safety standards, and union-busting. They have been cited by OSHA, L&I, and the NLRB for violations of state and federal labor law. On April 14, 2025, Mauser locked out a group of 20 workers who refurbish steel barrels at its ICS facility in Seattle. The company abruptly shut the doors on workers in the middle of contract negotiations with Teamsters Local 117.
Mauser locks out ICS workers in Seattle (2025)
Mauser locked out a group of 20 workers who refurbish steel barrels at the company's Industrial Container Services facility in Seattle. Mauser shut the doors on workers in the middle of contract negotiations after trying to force them into accepting a substandard contract proposal. Workers have been picketing at the facility since the beginning of the lockout. (Source: Teamsters Local 117)
Mauser dispute engages Teamsters President, Seattle Mayor (2025)
A contract dispute at a Mauser Packaging Solutions facility in Seattle drew a visit this week from Sean O’Brien, general president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell also reportedly attended the rally at the industrial packaging location on Tuesday, along with other local leaders and allies who accused Mauser of union-busting. (Source: Packaging Dive)
U.S. Department of Labor Cites Mauser For Safety Lapse Again After Employee Amputation (2020)
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited BWay Corp. – doing business as Mauser Packaging Solutions – for workplace safety and health hazards after an employee suffered an amputation on Sept. 26, 2019, at the Lawrence Township, New Jersey, facility. The company faced $151,329 in penalties. (Source: US Dept of Labor)
Picketing action at an Industrial Container Services facility in 2019.
Industrial Container Services Faces Citations, $215,000 Fine for Serious Safety and Health Violations (2015)
Washington’s Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has issued citations and fined Industrial Container Services $215,250 for allegedly exposing workers to serious harm or even death in conjunction with an incident in which a worker became entangled in machinery while working in a confined space. L&I cited the company in 2013 for many of the same hazards, but the employer had not corrected them. (Source: EHS Today)
Environment
Employees at Industrial Container Services facility protest exposure to toxic chemicals in 2019.
Mauser Packaging Solutions and Industrial Container Services have shown recurring issues with:
- Improper management of hazardous waste
- Exceeding permitted emission levels
- Inadequate training and emergency response procedures
- Stormwater management violations
- Unauthorized discharges into waterways
These violations have occurred across multiple facilities and states, suggesting systemic issues in environmental compliance practices.
Mauser violates New Jersey air pollutions laws (2025)
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection fined Mauser Packaging Solutions $81,000 for violations of state air pollution regulations. (Source: Good Jobs First)
Emission plume near Little Village Lawndale High School from a Mauser facility in Chicago.
Mauser/ICS cited multiple times in damaging EPA report (2022)
In a damning report by the US Environmental Protection Agency, Mauser Packaging Solutions and Industrial Container Services are cited multiple times for incidents at facilities that allegedly cause significant and lasting damage to human health and the environment. (Source: US Environmental Protection Agency)
DOL report cites Mauser Packaging Solutions for multiple OSHA violations (2020)
Several Mauser reconditioning facilities were cited for improper hazardous waste management practices, including improper storage of hazardous waste from container residues, inadequate waste determination procedures, and insufficient employee training on hazardous waste handling. (Source: US Dept of Labor - OSHA)
Mauser fined for non-compliance in Texas (2018)
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality fined Mauser for failure to comply with reporting and environmental testing requirements of the Thermal Oxidizer, a device that controls air pollution by destroying hazardous air pollutants. (Source: Texas Commission on Environmental Quality)