South Dakota State Penitentiary Workers Join Teamsters

Maintenance workers at the South Dakota State Penitentiary have voted overwhelmingly to join Teamsters Local 120, the union announced Monday. The action took place in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and signifies a continued expansion of unionization efforts in the state by the Teamsters.

The new union members are responsible for the upkeep and repairs at the state's largest prison facility. Their roles are critical to maintaining the safety and operational security of the institution. The primary goal of joining the union is to secure a collective bargaining agreement and improve working conditions.

"We didn't fold when DOC administration tried to intimidate us with meetings and high-level pressure — we stood our ground," said Chris Pick, a maintenance worker at the facility and new Local 120 member. "We were done being ignored and done working without a real, enforceable contract. So, we took a stand, stuck together, and won our vote."

James Heeren, a business agent for Local 120, stated that the workers' labor is essential to the prison's operations. He added that as Teamsters, they will now have a collective voice to ensure fair treatment from management. The union represents over 15,000 workers across Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, and South Dakota, and plans to continue its organizing drive.