Pollard Banknote Workers Ratify Landmark Contract After Strike Threat

YPSILANTI, MI – March 23, 2026 – After a tense negotiation period backed by a credible strike threat, nearly 200 print and production workers at Pollard Banknote have overwhelmingly ratified a new collective bargaining agreement. The contract, secured by Teamsters Local 337, delivers record wage increases, significant retirement benefit improvements, and crucial protections against forced overtime for the Ypsilanti-based employees.

The victory for the workers, who produce lottery tickets for numerous states and countries, marks a significant achievement in their first contract negotiation as members of the Teamsters union.

A Hard-Fought Victory for Workers

The new agreement addresses several long-standing issues for the workforce, which includes press operators, machine technicians, assistants, and folder operators. The gains were hard-won, requiring high levels of engagement from the union members who stood ready to strike if a fair deal was not reached.

"This agreement fixes a lot of the wrongs we were experiencing on the job," said Jeremy Helton, a 10-year maintenance technician and a steward for Local 337. "We got strong pay increases retroactive for months. For the first time, we enshrined our retirement security into our contract. And we locked in guarantees that Pollard Banknote cannot force us to work extreme amounts of overtime."

Helton emphasized the role of solidarity in achieving the landmark deal. "This contract shows what workers can accomplish when we stick together," he stated in the union's announcement. "It would not have been possible without the support of Local 337 and the commitment of my fellow stewards and the rest of our brothers and sisters on the shop floor."

The sentiment was echoed by union leadership. "These new Teamsters went through a lot just to join our ranks," said Todd Lince, President of Local 337. "During the organizing process, we saw their strength and determination firsthand, so it was no surprise to see how engaged they were throughout bargaining. The gains these workers secured are a testament to a lot of hard work. We are beyond proud to have them as part of the Local 337 family."

A Power Shift in the Printing Industry

The contract ratification at Pollard Banknote is more than a local victory; it represents a significant development in a broader power struggle within the North American printing and graphics industry. The Ypsilanti workers are part of what the Teamsters describe as a "growing national movement" of graphics workers leaving the Printing Packaging and Production Workers Union (PPPWU) to join their ranks.

The history is complex. The PPPWU was formerly known as the Graphic Communications Conference (GCC), a body that had been part of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters since a 2004 merger. However, in 2023, the Teamsters' new leadership terminated the merger agreement, citing concerns over the GCC's financial health, declining membership, and lack of strategic direction. The GCC then rebranded as the independent PPPWU.

Since the split, the Teamsters have actively campaigned to organize workers from their former affiliate, framing the PPPWU as "weak and ineffective" and unable to deliver strong contracts. The PPPWU has fired back, accusing the larger union of "raiding" its members and wasting resources that could be used to organize non-union workplaces.

The results, however, suggest the Teamsters' message is resonating. In recent years, similar shifts have occurred across the country. In late 2023, over 200 workers at Graphic Packaging in Chicago voted to join the Teamsters, also leaving the PPPWU. This was followed by successful organizing drives at another Graphic Packaging plant in Salinas, California, in early 2025, and at Universal Promotions in Chicago and Graphic Packaging International in Carol Stream, Illinois, in May 2025. This pattern suggests a strategic, nationwide effort by the Teamsters to consolidate power in a sector that has seen union density decline for decades.

Company Profits and Worker Demands

The workers' demands for better pay and benefits came as Pollard Banknote, a global leader in lottery and gaming products, enjoys a period of robust financial health. The publicly traded company, founded in 1907, has reported record-breaking financial results for several consecutive years.

In 2023, the company's revenue grew by 7.6% to $520.4 million, with net income soaring by 63.0%. This upward trend continued, with 2024 revenue hitting $557.1 million and 2025 revenue reaching $596.0 million. During this time, the company has also significantly improved its financial position, reducing its debt-to-equity ratio and ensuring its debt is well-covered by operating cash flow.

This strong performance provided a crucial backdrop to the labor negotiations. While the company has not commented on the specifics of the new contract's financial impact, its capacity to absorb increased labor costs is evident from its public financial statements. The union's success in securing "record raises" highlights a strategy of ensuring that employees share in the prosperity of their highly profitable employer. Prior to the new contract, online employee reviews sometimes pointed to dissatisfaction with work-life balance, mandatory long hours, and compensation, suggesting that the issues addressed in the new agreement were long-standing concerns.

Economic Ripples in Ypsilanti

The impact of the new contract is expected to extend beyond the factory floor and into the wider Ypsilanti community. With nearly 200 workers receiving significant, retroactive wage increases and securing better long-term financial stability through improved retirement benefits, the local economy is poised for a modest but meaningful boost.

Economists often note that wage gains for industrial workers have a direct multiplier effect on the local economy. The additional disposable income is likely to be spent at local grocery stores, restaurants, and small businesses in Ypsilanti and the surrounding Washtenaw County area. This injection of capital can help sustain local commerce and support community-level economic health.

Furthermore, the successful negotiation by Local 337 could serve as an inspiration for other workers in the region. High-profile union victories can demonstrate the power of collective bargaining, potentially encouraging organizing efforts at other workplaces and creating upward pressure on wages and working conditions throughout the local labor market. As a significant employer in the area, the new standards set at Pollard Banknote may become a benchmark for others, rippling through the community in ways that benefit workers and families across various sectors.