Teamsters Set Friday Deadline to Reach Contract Agreement With Dunkin' Donuts' Largest Distributor

Strike Preparations Under Way That Would Affect Supply Distribution System

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Jun 30, 2010, 06:45 ET

BOSTON, June 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Teamsters Local 25 President Sean M. O'Brien today set a Friday deadline for Dunkin' Donuts' largest distributor, Northeast DCP, to return to the bargaining table and negotiate in good faith to reach a contract agreement with more than 200 drivers and helpers.

However, Local 25 has not received a response from the company, and strike preparations are under way, O'Brien said. A strike would shut down Dunkin' Donuts throughout the Northeast, and the Teamsters are considering a national boycott, O'Brien said.

"Northeast DCP's strategy is to stall, and the Teamsters won't stand for it," he said. "The company has until the end of the day Friday to return to the table, negotiate in good faith and reach an agreement that does not include an open-shop proposal."

Local 25 also filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge against the Dunkin' Donuts' distributor for a pattern of conduct that includes failing to bargain in good faith to encourage a decertification vote.

Since Wednesday, the company has hired a private security firm, requested around-the-clock police details, installed fences around the property, contracted replacement workers and threatened workers about being permanently replaced.

"Instead of investing in the people who make Dunkin' Donuts successful, it is obvious that the company would rather invest in keeping out the Union," O'Brien said.

O'Brien has held 22 bargaining sessions with the company since October 2009, yet DCP refuses to negotiate affordable health care and Union security. As evidence of the company's refusal to bargain in good faith, it submitted an open-shop proposal at the 22nd meeting.

Bellingham-based Dunkin' Donuts Northeast DCP is a cooperative owned by regional franchisees. The company delivers products and ingredients to Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin Robbins stores throughout New England.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million men and women, most of whom drink coffee, in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

SOURCE Teamsters Local 25