Cedar Rapids Truck Drivers Go On Strike For Better Wages

After two weeks of negotiations, drivers at a Cedar Rapid company are on strike as they seek out higher pay.

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Between inflation and competitive wages within the industry, truck drivers at King’s Material have gone on strike saying their base pay isn’t enough.

The current base pay for King’s Material drivers is $22.45 an hour. But drivers are saying this isn’t enough. Drivers are looking to up this number to $25.45 an hour to keep up with inflation and spending power.

Teamsters Local 238 Secretary-Treasurer Jesse Cases said in a KCRG article;

I think both sides have made it clear that we want to keep the lines of communication open. We’re really not that far apart in some aspects, but what we don’t want to do is everyone to dig in their heels and make it impossible to find a resolution.

Charlie Rhode, President of King’s Material released a statement about the strike.

We are disappointed to have not reached an agreement. We have always had a wage and fringe benefit package that is fair and equitable to our team, and our offers have reflected that. This labor dispute solely impacts our King’s Ready-Mix division in Cedar Rapids and has no impact on our masonry and landscape divisions. During this time, we will continue to serve all customers across the King’s Material organization.

The worker’s plan is to stick to the picket line until an agreement can be made on “fair wages”.

During the strike, King’s Material will continue its operations as usual but a major project with the Heart Center at Mercy Medical Center is on hold.