SPRING 2009 - Teamsters Local 25
SPRING 2009 - Teamsters Local 25
SPRING 2009 - Teamsters Local 25
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STOP&<br />
SHOP<br />
Distribution Center<br />
Workers Overwhelmingly<br />
Ratify Contract<br />
Warehouse workers at the Stop & Shop distribution center in<br />
Freetown, Massachusetts overwhelmingly ratified a five-year contract<br />
April 5 at the <strong>Local</strong> <strong>25</strong> Union Hall.<br />
The contract was ratified 448 to 21.<br />
“This is a great contract because it preserves the excellent worker<br />
benefits,” said Bob Fabrizio, <strong>Local</strong> <strong>25</strong> Business Agent who represents<br />
the 778 warehouse members.<br />
“This contract will give us continued security for ourselves and<br />
for our families for the next five years,” said worker Tommy Aleks.<br />
“My hat is off to the Negotiating Committee for putting together<br />
this excellent contract.”<br />
The contract maintains the excellent health, welfare and pension<br />
benefits.<br />
Employees work under a two-tier wage system. The top tier, or<br />
senior tier workers, will receive a $1,500 bonus the first year and 50-<br />
cent-per-hour wage increases in years two through five. By taking a<br />
bonus, they help narrow the pay gap between the top tier and second<br />
tier. The gap had been $3.<strong>25</strong> per hour, but will narrow to $1.75<br />
per hour through the progression.<br />
“The top-tier employees did the right thing to bring fairness<br />
into the workplace,” said Sean M. O’Brien, <strong>Local</strong> <strong>25</strong> President. “By<br />
ratifying this contract, they showed true Teamster unity. This is a<br />
great group of <strong>Teamsters</strong>.”<br />
The contract also addresses outsourcing. HK crane work at the<br />
center had been outsourced. However, starting in January 2010, the<br />
company will train maintenance employees at the center to take<br />
over the work.<br />
Given the terrible economy, the fact that benefits were maintained<br />
is even more impressive. Also, the company tried to take back other<br />
benefits, such as sick days, holidays and place limits on overtime.<br />
“We successfully fought off the company’s attempts at takeaways,”<br />
O’Brien said.<br />
www.teamsterslocal<strong>25</strong>.com | <strong>SPRING</strong> <strong>2009</strong> | The SPOKESMAN | 23