Maintenance Workers at SD Penitentiary Join Teamsters Local 120

The Facts -

Maintenance Workers at South Dakota State Penitentiary Join Teamsters Local 120

(Sioux Falls, S.D.) – In a significant show of solidarity, maintenance workers at the South Dakota State Penitentiary have decisively voted to affiliate with Teamsters Local 120. This marks a noteworthy advancement in union organization efforts within the state.

Among the new members is Chris Pick, who emphasized their resolve by stating, “We didn’t fold when DOC administration tried to intimidate us with meetings and high-level pressure — we stood our ground... We’ve earned better, and we’re done settling for less. That’s why we joined North America’s strongest union. We’re proud to be Teamsters — and we’re ready to fight for the contract we deserve.”

These maintenance workers are tasked with ensuring the upkeep and operational efficiency of South Dakota's largest prison facility, all while maintaining stringent safety and security standards.

James Heeren, a business agent for Local 120, highlighted the importance of their work, stating, “Working at a Level IV correction facility is no easy task. These workers’ labor is essential to prison operations — and now, as Teamsters, they will have a collective voice to ensure they are treated as so by management. We look forward to getting them the strongest possible contract and continue organizing workers across South Dakota.”

Teamsters Local 120, representing over 15,000 workers across several states including Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, and South Dakota, continues its efforts to expand and support worker rights in the region. For further details, visit teamsterslocal120.org.

---
Read More USA Works News